Event ID: 94 Title: Sustainable Governance, Products, and Practices in Biosphere Reserves: From Local Innovation to Global Learning
This interactive workshop examines how biosphere reserves can drive regional economic growth while safeguarding ecological integrity. Through Austrian and international case studies, participants will explore how sustainable, high-quality products are developed, branded, and marketed in line with the MAB Strategy and Action Plan. Examples include co-creation projects with students and researchers in the Nockberge, SDG-focused education in Großes Walsertal, citizen science in the Wienerwald, and cross-border cooperation in the Mura-Drava-Danube Biosphere Park. The session also collects best-practice insights on governance, financing, and management, offering a platform to discuss adaptive, inclusive models for future challenges.
| Preliminary Agenda | ||
|---|---|---|
| Time | Content | Speaker |
| 13:15 – 13:25 | Welcome & Opening Remarks | Martin Fritz, Michael Jungmeier & Elisabeth Wiegele |
| 13:25 – 13:40 | Case Study: Biodiversity Day – Wienerwald Biosphere Reserve | Andreas Weiß |
| 13:40 – 13:55 | Case Study: Biosphere Park School – Biosphere ReserveGroßes Walsertal | Matthias Merta |
| 13:55 – 14:10 | Case Study: SCiENCE_LINKnockberge – Nockberge Biosphere Park | Elisabeth Wiegele |
| 14:10 – 14:25 | Case Study: Mura-Drava-Danube (TBR MDD) Transboundary Biosphere Reserve | Marko Tucakov |
| 14:25 – 14:40 | Breakout Group Discussions about Governance in Biosphere Reserves | Michael Jungmeier |
| 14:40 – 14:45 | Wrap-Up & Final Remarks | Elisabeth Wiegele |
13:15 – 13:25 | Welcome & Opening Remarks
•Brief overview of session objectives and structure
•Explanation of the two-part session (Austrian Case studies → Governance Discussion)
•Overview of Austria, BSPs and CUAS
13:25 – 14:25 | Case Studies & Interactive Dialogue (60 minutes)
•Objective: Showcase diverse Austrian initiatives and stimulate reflection through examples
•Each presentation: 10 minutes (+ 5 minutes of Q&A)
Moderated as a flowing dialogue, with short pauses for clarifying questions or reflections
1. Mura-Drava-Danube Biosphere Reserve
•Cross-border governance across 5 countries
2. Biodiversity Day – Wienerwald Biosphere Reserve
•Citizen science as a tool for awareness and engagement
•Presented by Andreas Weiß
3. Biosphere Park School – Großes Walsertal
•Integration of SDGs into regional learning experiences
•Presented by Matthias Merta
4. SCiENCE_LINKnockberge – Nockberge Biosphere Park
•Applied research and knowledge transfer
•Presented by Elisabeth Wiegele
14:25 – 14:40 | Breakout Group Discussions (20 minutes)
Moderated discussion in plenary:
1.What governance models support such innovations?
2.How can stakeholder participation be strengthened?
3.Which financing approaches support sustainability in practice?
4.What are the key points of a sustainable governance system?
With facilitator and flipchart to capture insights
14:40 – 14:45 | Wrap-Up & Final Remarks (5 minutes)
•Quick summary of insights from discussion groups
•Invitation for continued exchange
•Optional: collect interest for follow-up collaboration or documentation
