The Centre for Environmental Studies participates in the new European project BIOTraCes

Biodiversity and Transformative Change for plural and nature positive societies (BIOTraCes) is a new EU-funded project that aims to boost biodiversity across Europe. International researchers will develop nine case studies in different parts of Europe to address issues related to nature, society and local politics.

The main partner in Vitoria-Gasteiz will be BC3 (Basque Centre for Climate Change) which will be supported by CEA during the project.

In Vitoria-Gasteiz, the case study will focus on the effects of improving the connection with biodiversity in the early stages of school education on the formation of sustainability values in youth groups. It will work on the schoolyard transformation project which, through innovative participatory approaches, aims to give pupils a more direct connection to urban biodiversity. CEA is working on this project under the leadership of the Department of Education.

BIOTraCes will run for 48 months, until 30 November 2026. Eleven partners from nine European countries will work closely together for the success of BIOTraCes. The nine case studies will be carried out in sectors with a particularly high impact on biodiversity. They cover a wide range of topics, from food production, agriculture, forestry, water conservation and fisheries to urban planning. In contrast to other projects, BIOTraCes will pay special attention to marginalised and religious groups, gender and youth.