Geonatura is one of the partners in the Erasmus+ project "TUNE IT - Nature benefits: from theory to practice" led by Natuurpunt from the Netherlands. The project is being implemented in five countries, from May 2023 to January 2025.
The main goal of this project is to train protected site managers and local (regional) authorities responsible for the management of natural areas to use existing knowledge and tools on the benefits of nature and their inclusion in daily work practice, all this to conserve key nature benefits and increase the contribution of natural areas to society's needs.
The project goal is planned to be achieved through a 3-module course held in five languages (English, Dutch, Croatian, Ukrainian and Turkish):
module 1: "Learning the basics" – gives a general overview of nature benefits and ecosystem services), methodologies, available guidelines, and examples of good practice.
module 2: "Putting it into practice" – allows exploring ways of using nature benefits (1) in communication with stakeholders, (2) when choosing alternative solutions or planning nature restoration, (3) as a source of alternative sources of finance and (4) when planning site management.
module 3: "Planning for future action" – helps participants gain the necessary skills to apply the acquired knowledge in their organization and/or area of work.
Along with Geonatura, the project will be implemented by 9 additional, including two international networks:
Natuurpunt (lead partner) (BE),
Natuuracademie (Natuurpunt) (BE),
Stichting IVN (NL),
Doğa Koruma Merkezi Vakfı – DKM (TR),
Eurosite – the European Land Conservation Network (međunarodna) i
Ecosystem Services Partnership / Stichting voor Duurzame Ontwikkeling (međunarodna)
Read more about the project on the official project webpage.
International course in English is currently underway, modules 1 and 2 have been held, and in June 2024 module 3 will be held in Zagreb as well. Geonatura is working on preparing the Croatian course, which is planned for autumn 2024.
International course participants in front of a Wageningen University building.
Watch a short interview with Rudolf de Groot, one of the lecturers in the English course, in which he talks about what ecosystem services are, should we put a price on nature and other trending topics related to the project.