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Description
The project aims to enhance sustainable development in Biosphere Reserves and will target the territory level, through the integration of heritage assets and ecosystem services. A special focus will directed towards people and strengthening their skills as well as on the governance model. The project will follow the objectives of the "Sustainable Development Plans" (SDP), following participatory methodologies, that will be the programmatic framework aimed at different territorial developments, resilience and sustainability of the Biosphere Reserves (BRs). The SDP will function as a guiding instrument within each reserve and between national BRs and international thematic and geographic networks. Exchange of knowledge will be ensured through the participation and cooperation between universities (Portuguese and Norwegian), the UNESCO chairs of Coimbra, Bergen and Nova Lisboa, and the participation of an international network in the fields of ecology, biodiversity and sustainability This will reinforce the role of knowledge as a social transformation and territorial enrichment tool and promote new dynamics of interdisciplinary research. Emphasis will be placed on the integrated valorization of ecosystem services, involving local communities in the identification of priorities, for their own benefit and for the sustainability of their territories.