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Press Release: On 12 September 2024, the 15 selected UNESCO designated sites from Europe and North America participating in the ‘Promoting sustainable development through UNESCO’s programmes and sites’ project gathered in Venice, Italy. Hosted at the premises of the UNESCO Regional Bureau for Science and Culture in Europe, the event presented the new sites’ projects, highlighted the progress achieved by the second-cycle sites, and showcased the sustainability solutions of the first-cycle sites. 

Within the 3-year partnership between UNESCO and the abrdn Charitable Foundation (aCF), the project focuses on the promotion of research and education through innovative approaches to environmental safeguarding and climate action in 15 selected UNESCO designated sites. The project selected 5 sites for each year, all of which gathered at the third-cycle launch event to present results, exchange experiences and share practical knowledge. 

The 5 new sites selected for the third cycle presented their projects. These are: 

• Central Balkan Biosphere Reserve – Bulgaria 

The project “Study on forest ecosystems in mountain water catchments in Central Balkan Biosphere Reserve” focuses on assessing the health of forest ecosystems in the Biosphere Reserve. By analysing the long-term hydrological regime of the Cherni Osam River and using field surveys, remote sensing and ecosystem services assessment, the study aims to create guidelines for the sustainable management of natural resources in similar watersheds. 

• Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Reserve – Canada 

The project “MABR Climate Change Realities: Local and regional climate change impacts in the Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region” seeks to establish a place-based understanding of climate change experiences, perspectives and impacts in the MABR. By enhancing climate literacy and fostering collaboration, the project aims to promote targeted actions for resilience and adaptation in the face of climate challenges. 

The project “Research, protection and sustainable use of fresh groundwater of the Vis Archipelago UNESCO Global Geopark” aims to find a solution to the absence of water supply on one island of the archipelago (Biševo), by trying to identify a potential karst aquifer through hydrogeological research methodologies. 

• Bükk region UNESCO Global Geopark – Hungary

The project “Cave monitoring associated with a climate reconstruction from the Szent István-cave, Hungary” focuses on reconstructing the evolution of past climate and environmental changes, shedding light on the main changes and the driving mechanisms. By integrating climatological data with modern climate records, future climate trends can be better predicted and the impacts of anthropogenic activities on these processes can be assessed. 

The project “A Geosite of my own” aims to develop a strategy for participatory monitoring of geosites’ conservation and ecosystem services through innovative digital tools and the involvement of youth, local communities and visitors to the site.

At the event, the second-cycle sites, approaching the completion of their projects, presented their achievements, highlighted local impacts and shared best practices with potential for broader application:

•  with the project “Study of exchanges between Karst and rivers in the Célé valley” is responding to the threats posed by climate change, notably in karstic environments.
• with the project “Reducing occurrence of forest fires in National Park Durmitor and Tara River Basin” is implementing modern solutions to create an early warning system to detect fires. 
• with the project “Sustainability at work! Research and community driven action for sustainable development in the Hațeg Country UGGp” is leveraging the power of citizen science to address the critical issue of assessing water quality.  
• with the project “Whole Farm Plans for Agricultural Natural Capital Resilience: Audit Methodology” is supporting farmers and land managers in the Biosphere Reserve to manage their holdings more sustainably. 
• with the project “An Atlas of Climate & Environmental Change for Champlain-Adirondack and Frontenac Arch Biosphere Networks” is developing a living Atlas of Climate and Environment, which is expected to further support policy-making and facilitate stakeholder engagement.

The event also provided a valuable platform to explore the sustainability and scalability of the projects, drawing promising insights directly from the pilot sites, particularly those from the first cycle:

• Tuscan Islands Biosphere Reserve, Italy, with the project “Pianosa Island (Tuscan Archipelago-Italy): hydrological processes and water resources sustainability in a climate-changing Mediterranean”.
• Asterousia Mountain Range, Greece, with the project “Monitoring marine litter and generating fit-for-purpose data through a participatory science approach in Asterousia Biosphere Reserve”.
• Ohrid-Prespa Transboundary Biosphere Reserve, North Macedonia & Albania, with the project “St. Naum springs – Biological and Ecosystem services Inventory (SN-BESI)”.
• Kozjansko and Obsotelje Biosphere Reserve, Slovenia, with the project “Dry meadows and Kozjansko and Obsotelje Biosphere Reserve”.
• Brighton and Lewes Downs Biosphere Reserve, United Kingdom (also known as the Living Coast), with the project “Sustainable Management of Urban Aquifers”.

Representatives from the designated sites participated in a series of peer learning sessions, roundtables and parallel working groups focused on SDGs. All participating sites exchanged hands-on experience, shared knowledge and discussed good practices, highlighting their project’s contribution to achieving the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals.