I am part of the Biosphere - promoting shared responsibility and ownership
- continuously develop methods for engaging people in the work for a sustainable future and the UNESCO Biosphere
- strengthen the sense of belonging and the power of act of people.
- strengthen the sense of shared ownership.
- foster horizontal and vertical cooperation with a focus on involving the local society
Description of the project
The UNESCO Biosphere Reserve is part of an ambitious program for preserving high nature and cultural values through cooperation and people's engagement. However, the concept is sometimes difficult to manage for the stakeholders and challenging to understand for the people living in the region.
Therefore, some of the main challenges for the BR are how to engage people, how to share responsibility, and how to celebrate the successful outcome of the joint work.
The organization of the Archipelago Sea Area BR is built on cooperation. The BR office is a coordinating body, while the partner organizations are the ones conducting the actions. The board of the BR sets up the framework for the local agenda.
Everyone must be given a chance to participate in a way that they find convenient and effective. Ambassadors and Partners define their own role in the Biosphere Reserve and plan their own actions. The BR Office offers education and networking to inspire and enhance the level of knowledge.
During the last decade, we have focused on finding ways to engage and inspire local stakeholders and inhabitants to participate and share responsibility of the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and a sound and sustainable development of the archipelago. These are our most important tools:
- The Biosphere Reserve Partners Program inspires and engages organizations and companies in sustainable development, rather than evaluating them. Through the work of our partners, the aim of the Biosphere Reserve gets more tangible. The shared responsibility is giving the work with the BR more dimensions.
- The Biosphere Ambassadors Program has a significant role in raising awareness. The ambassadors reach many stakeholders and are in contact with local inhabitants and visitors through their own social or professional networks. To become a biosphere ambassador, you attend the ambassador training program. You will be inspired to find your role in the Archipelago Sea Biosphere Reserve.
Results and effects
The Biosphere Partner program, which includes today 17 partners, gives visibility to the acts of sustainability of the partners, and offers a forum for networking and sharing best practices. The BR has for example been the platform for initiating new regenerative tourism products, like «Experience the Biosphere».
Today there are about 60 Biosphere Ambassadors. Many activities have already been conducted by the valuable network of ambassadors. The biosphere concept gains a lot from being represented and opened by many different people in different environments and for several target groups.
The 30th Anniversary of the Archipelago Sea Biosphere Reserve was announced as a celebration of partnership and shared ownership. Several happenings were arranged, articles were written, dances were danced, speeches were held and even carpets were woven by ambassadors and partners to celebrate the BR in every corner of the BR.
Both the partners and ambassadors are a valuable addition to the BR. And for them, the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve provides them with a context to work towards a sustainable future.
Focal points:
- promote education (3)
- promote participation (4)
- giving knowledge and tools for conservation of biodiversity and sustainable use of nature resources.