Periodic Reporting for period 2 - Biodiversa-plus (The European Biodiversity Partnership)
Berichtszeitraum: 2023-06-01 bis 2024-12-31
Biodiversa+ is the European co-funded biodiversity partnership supporting excellent research on biodiversity with an impact for policy and society. Biodiversa+ is part of the European Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 that aims to put Europe’s biodiversity on a path to recovery by 2030. It aims to connect science, policy and practice for transformative change, gathering 81 research funders and environmental policy actors from 37 European and associated countries to work on 5 main objectives:
1. Plan and support research and innovation on biodiversity through a shared strategy, annual joint calls for research projects and capacity building activities
2. Set up a network of harmonised schemes to improve monitoring of biodiversity and ecosystem services across Europe
3. Contribute to high-end knowledge for deploying Nature-based Solutions and valuation of biodiversity in the private sector
4. Ensure efficient science-based support for policy-making and implementation in Europe
5. Strengthen the relevance and impact of pan-European research on biodiversity in a global context
1. Plan and support research and innovation on biodiversity through a shared strategy, annual joint calls for research projects and capacity building activities
2. Set up a network of harmonised schemes to improve monitoring of biodiversity and ecosystem services across Europe
3. Contribute to high-end knowledge for deploying Nature-based Solutions and valuation of biodiversity in the private sector
4. Ensure efficient science-based support for policy-making and implementation in Europe
5. Strengthen the relevance and impact of pan-European research on biodiversity in a global context
Delivering on these ambitious objectives requires a portfolio of activities, structured around the following workstreams:
● WP1: Promote and support R&I.
At least 6 co-funded joint research calls are planned, aiming for over €245M. This period saw the launch of the 4th call BiodivTransform (budget €40M+), including scoping workshops and webinars. The BiodivNBS call (Call 3) concluded with the evaluation of 183 pre-proposals and 108 eligible full proposals, leading to the selection of 34 projects. Kick-off, clustering, and data management meetings were held for the 33 projects funded under BiodivMon (Call 2).
● WP2: Transnational biodiversity monitoring schemes.
Efforts included sharing best practices, capacity building, and active learning among partners. Key outputs were a report on operational guidance, findings from IAS, soil and governance pilots, and the launch of 3 new pilots. Working group meetings and an expert workshop were held on biodiversity monitoring indicators. A roadmap on novel technologies was also produced following a dedicated expert WS.
● WP3: NbS implementation and biodiversity valuation in the private sector.
Achievements include a guide on the European R&I landscape for business and biodiversity (including success stories and public consultation), a foresight workshop on NbS and transformative change.
● WP4: Connecting R&I to policy.
Key activities included a dialogue event on ecosystem restoration and the launch of the BiodivRestore Knowledge Hub, which informed the BiodivConnect Call and the Hub's work plan. A second desk study assessed NbS for transformative change. A workshop explored collaboration with BioAgora. Three policy briefs on biodiversity and health were published, and a policy forum on biodiversity monitoring took place in Tallinn, alongside the BiodivMonproject kick-off.
● WP5: Internationalisation of European R&I.
Highlights included collaborations with IPBES, CBD, GBIF, and the development of strategies with MEAs and IPBES. A capacity-building workshop on global infrastructures (with focus on GBIF) was held in Tallinn. A mapping on scientific collaboration in transformative change was published. Partners supported IPBES TSU on knowledge generation catalysis. A concept note for joint training materials between CO-OP4CBD and Biodiversa+ was circulated.
● WP6: Communication and open science.
Highlights included an infographic summarising Biodiversa+’s first two years, and the launch of project and infrastructure databases. Work progressed on the Biodiversa+ Intranet, Report platform (for project reporting), and Access platform (to showcase results). Communication support was provided across WPs (e.g. brochures, Biome, event coordination).
● WP7: Stakeholder engagement.
Collaborative and inclusive engagement approaches were used at all levels. Key outputs include the establishment of the Advisory and Stakeholder Boards, partnerships with EuropaBON and Alternet, co-organisation of the Alternet Summer School, and launch of the Biodiversa+ Biome. Researchers received support via updated resources, training courses, masterclasses, and clustering activities.
● WP8 & WP9: Common vision and roadmap.
Efforts included updating the KPI monitoring framework, strategic collaboration with other Partnerships, and development of AWP4 with the second top-up amendment. The Chairs team ensured visibility with participation in over 50 partner events.
● WP1: Promote and support R&I.
At least 6 co-funded joint research calls are planned, aiming for over €245M. This period saw the launch of the 4th call BiodivTransform (budget €40M+), including scoping workshops and webinars. The BiodivNBS call (Call 3) concluded with the evaluation of 183 pre-proposals and 108 eligible full proposals, leading to the selection of 34 projects. Kick-off, clustering, and data management meetings were held for the 33 projects funded under BiodivMon (Call 2).
● WP2: Transnational biodiversity monitoring schemes.
Efforts included sharing best practices, capacity building, and active learning among partners. Key outputs were a report on operational guidance, findings from IAS, soil and governance pilots, and the launch of 3 new pilots. Working group meetings and an expert workshop were held on biodiversity monitoring indicators. A roadmap on novel technologies was also produced following a dedicated expert WS.
● WP3: NbS implementation and biodiversity valuation in the private sector.
Achievements include a guide on the European R&I landscape for business and biodiversity (including success stories and public consultation), a foresight workshop on NbS and transformative change.
● WP4: Connecting R&I to policy.
Key activities included a dialogue event on ecosystem restoration and the launch of the BiodivRestore Knowledge Hub, which informed the BiodivConnect Call and the Hub's work plan. A second desk study assessed NbS for transformative change. A workshop explored collaboration with BioAgora. Three policy briefs on biodiversity and health were published, and a policy forum on biodiversity monitoring took place in Tallinn, alongside the BiodivMonproject kick-off.
● WP5: Internationalisation of European R&I.
Highlights included collaborations with IPBES, CBD, GBIF, and the development of strategies with MEAs and IPBES. A capacity-building workshop on global infrastructures (with focus on GBIF) was held in Tallinn. A mapping on scientific collaboration in transformative change was published. Partners supported IPBES TSU on knowledge generation catalysis. A concept note for joint training materials between CO-OP4CBD and Biodiversa+ was circulated.
● WP6: Communication and open science.
Highlights included an infographic summarising Biodiversa+’s first two years, and the launch of project and infrastructure databases. Work progressed on the Biodiversa+ Intranet, Report platform (for project reporting), and Access platform (to showcase results). Communication support was provided across WPs (e.g. brochures, Biome, event coordination).
● WP7: Stakeholder engagement.
Collaborative and inclusive engagement approaches were used at all levels. Key outputs include the establishment of the Advisory and Stakeholder Boards, partnerships with EuropaBON and Alternet, co-organisation of the Alternet Summer School, and launch of the Biodiversa+ Biome. Researchers received support via updated resources, training courses, masterclasses, and clustering activities.
● WP8 & WP9: Common vision and roadmap.
Efforts included updating the KPI monitoring framework, strategic collaboration with other Partnerships, and development of AWP4 with the second top-up amendment. The Chairs team ensured visibility with participation in over 50 partner events.
Through its membership and governance, the Partnership is promoting tighter collaboration between national/local and European policy makers in charge of biodiversity and related issues, including environmental agencies, R&I policy makers and R&I programme funders. The Partnership also provides an overarching platform fostering seamless collaboration and exchange amongst relevant actors (scientific community, public authorities, businesses, citizens, societal actors, NGOs etc.) at appropriate levels and scales. This in turn helps and supports citizens, policy makers and businesses in taking adequate action at European, national and local level. The Partnership is building critical mass in capacity, resources and expertise across countries/EU, across R&I and monitoring, and across science/society/policy, which reaches far beyond the achievements of traditional actions through national or Framework Programmes. The Partnership will also further increase synergies between existing initiatives to avoid duplication, validate previous investments and harness existing expertise.