News
14.10.20 - Eklipse Forum and Call for Knowledge
The Eklipse Forum on LinkedIn is now open for discussion. Engage with the current Call for Knowledge on this new platform as part of the scoping process.
13.10.20 - How to improve literature reviews, building on methods from systematic review
A new paper in Nature Ecology and Evolution, co-authored by Chair of the EKLIPSE Methods Expert Group Lynn Dicks, describes eight problems with literature reviews and how to fix them. The clear advice was put together by a team of experts in systematic review and meta-analysis. A helpful Twitter thread summarises the problems and solutions here, written by Neal Haddaway, lead author and EKLIPSE Methods Expert Group alumnus.
REFERENCE:
Haddaway, N. R. et al. Eight problems with literature reviews and how to fix them. Nat Ecol Evol, doi:10.1038/s41559-020-01295-x (2020).
Download a free version of the paper here.
5-6.10.20 - EKLIPSE supports the 6th Pan-European stakeholder consultation for the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES).
On the 5th and 6th October, the ECA network organised its 6th Pan-European Stakeholder Consultation (PESC-6) to give an overall presentation of network opportunities within Europe (ONet, the ECA network, Eklipse) and to discuss collectively and collect comments on the First Order Draft (FOD) of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) Invasive Alien Species (IAS) assessment.
The meeting welcomed a total of 70 participants over both days, and included the participation of one of the Chairs and several Coordinating Lead Authors (CLAs) and Lead Authors (Las) of the IPBES IAS assessment, who were present during the working sessions to answer questions from, and exchange with, the participants.
On the second day, Jorge Ventocilla, from the EKLIPSE Secretariat introduced the European science-policy interface EKLIPSE, describing how the mechanism works to respond to demands from policy-makers and other societal actors, and how experts can get involved. This was followed by a list of examples of previous calls for requests that have been addressed by EKLIPSE, and some words on the future of the mechanism, which will be taken over by ALTER-Net.
The presentation on EKLIPSE was well received, sparkling the interest of some participants to get involved, and the suggestion for EKLIPSE to become an observer at IPBES.
2.09.20 - Eklipse Business EWG Report
The Eklipse Business Expert Working Group has recently published its final report on how can environmental regulators support business to improve the outcomes of their operations for biodiversity, with focus on small and medium-sized enterprises in the food and beverage sector in Europe. To access the report, please click here.
1.09.20 - IPBES Invasive Alien Species Assessment
The IPBES invasive alien species assessment will measure the current status and trends of invasive alien species, their impacts, their drivers, their management, and options for policy to deal with the challenges they pose. The assessment will consider various knowledge and value systems including local and indigenous knowledge. The results of assessment will be solution-oriented and will provide policymakers with flexible and pragmatic response options, including strategies for prevention and adaptive management of invasive alien species.
External review of the draft chapters is now open and runs from 31st August until the 18th of October 2020. Learn more and participate.
26.07.20 - Communications Internship
Eklipse is excited to announce a vacancy for a communications intern to help develop its image and reputation and enable a smooth transition to management by Alternet. The internship will be through the Department of Conservation Biology at the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research GmbH - UFZ.
Learn more and appy: Internship form
This internship vacancy has now expired.
22.06.20 - CBD delegates will discuss at the EKLIPSE online workshop how to move the global post-2020 Biodiversity Framework forward on transformative change
EKLIPSE is supporting the European Commission and the Croatian Presidency of the Council of the European Union, in the organization of a virtual workshop bringing together scientists and policy makers to engage in a transparent dialogue on how to move the global post-2020 Biodiversity Framework forward on transformative change, taking stock from work of the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES).
To learn more, please visit the Transformative Change request page
19.06.2020 - Biodiversity Partnership Consultation
Eklipse partners are encouraged to take part in the current open consultation for the European Biodiversity Partnership. As BiodivERsA comes to an end in 2021, a new Biodiversity Partnership (Partnership 34 on Rescuing Biodiversity to Safeguard Life on Earth) has been proposed. In addition to research, this partnership would potentially support science-policy and capacity-building activities, including Eklipse, Alternet Summer Schools, and Alternet Conferences.
Please submit your comments on the draft proposal before 30 June 2020.
9.06.2020 - NbS Digital Dialogues
"What do we mean by successful, sustainable nature-based solutions?"
Related to our very first request, Eklipse is excited to promote the NbS Digital Dialogues. This virtual event will be hosted by University of Oxford and features keynote speakers Christiana Figueres, Musonda Mumba, and Sandra Lavorel. It will be of special interest to those who were engaged in the Eklipse NbS request--along with anyone invested in creative, biodiversity-positive solutions to society's challenges.
- Dates: 7-9 July 2020
- Learn more: https://www.naturebasedsolutionsoxford.org/nbs-digital-dialogues/
26.05.2020 - EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 Published & Adopted
In June 2019, researchers, scientists, decision-makers, and practitioners from all disciplines and fields met for the ALTER-Net & Eklipse Conference. Experts from Eklipse, ALTER-Net, the European Commission and beyond centered their discussions around two central questions: What should the post-2020 European biodiversity strategy look like and how will research contribute to this strategy and help to define its goals?
Now, nearly one year later, the European Commission has published and adopted the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030: Bringing nature back into our lives.
In addition to co-hosting the 2019 EU Biodiversity Strategy Beyond 2020 Conference, Eklipse's contributions to the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 include:
- Eklipse and ALTER-Net experts participated in public consultation of the post-2020 biodiversity strategy drafts
- European Commission presence and participation in the 2019 EU Biodiversity Strategy Beyond 2020 Conference was arranged
- Recommendations for the post-2020 biodiversity strategy in the form of Key Messages were produced as the primary output deliverable; and the innovative Key Message synthesis methods were outlined and shared
- Societal engagement with the new biodiversity strategy and the priorities of citizens beyond the scientific community were actively considered
By bridging the gaps between science, policy, and society, Eklipse helped to define the blueprint for a successful European biodiversity strategy. The ultimate success of the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 will depend upon active and ongoing engagement.
14.05.2020 - Second Call for MEG Members
The second call for member nominations to join the Eklipse Methods Expert Group (MEG) for a three-year term (June 2020 - June 2023) is open now. Interested experts have until June 1st 2020 to apply.
The members of the MEG play a fundamental role in the Eklipse process, advising the Expert Working Groups (EWGS) on the strengths and weaknesses of available methods of knowledge. The primary task of the Methods Expert Group (MEG) is to provide and share knowledge about different forms, methods and limitations of knowledge collation, appraisal and synthesis to EWGs in the process of answering a request.
Membership of the MEG is an exciting opportunity to contribute to diverse knowledge syntheses of high EU-level policy relevance, in collaboration with international researchers. Appointed MEG expert(s) are an integral part of the Eklipse request process and their contributions are accredited in any EWG output(s), such as reports or scientific publications.
06.05.2020 - Global 2000: Vision for Transition
Related to the topic of our Eklipse request on Transformative Change, we are pleased to further advertise this very exciting online conference organised by GLOBAL 2000: “Vision for Transition - How Agriculture and Cities of the Future can save Biodiversity”. The talks will be available in German and English and participation is free.
- Link for registration: https://www.global2000.at/
events/visions-for-transition# english1 - Link to the conference program: https://www.global2000.at/
sites/global/files/VfT- Programm-en.pdf
22.04.20 - Report on the participatory event “Plastics in our ocean: a micro or macro problem?” is now available online.
“Plastics in our ocean: a micro or macro problem?”, was held on the 1st and 2nd of October 2019, in San Sebástian – Donostia, Spain. This was a higly participatory event, promoting the exchange of ideas between different stakeholder to co-create solutions for the marine plastics problem, from a European perspective.
You can now read the full report on this event and the main lessons learnt from it.
14.04.20 - Sustainability special issue and new outputs from the 2019 ALTER-Net & EKLIPSE Conference.
New key outputs from the ALTER-Net & EKLIPSE Conference considering the post-2020 European Biodiversity Strategy have been published in a special edition of Sustainability. These include articles on Citizen Engagement for the EU-Post 2020 Biodiversity Strategy and A New Method for the Formulation of Key Messages.
Learn more about these outputs on the ALTER-Net website.
10.04.20 - Presentations on “the role of grids in a renewables-based electricity sector” series is now available online.
EKLIPSE supported Renewable Grid Initiative in the organization of preparatory workshop and a webinar series on role of grids in a renewables-based electricity sector. These capacity building events were all free and directed mostly at Environmental NGOs, experts in the field.
The capacity building initiative counted with three modules:
Module I: The role of grids in the energy transition: Training & Exchange for NGOs
11th of July 2019, in Berlin, Germany
Module II: Digitisation in the Electricity Sector: Behind the Buzzword – NGO training and exchange
25th October 2019, webinar
Module III: Of Pipes and Pylons - Is Europe planning energy infrastructure for a Paris compatible future?
4th of March 2020, webinar
Presentations are now available on the “the role of grids in a renewables-based electricity sector” series dedicated page
23.03.20 - Reports on lessons learned for both the "Financing greener cities" webinar and workshop and for the "business-oriented session" at the "ESP World 10" conference are now available online.
- EKLIPSE supported ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability and the Naturvation project in the organization of a preparatory webinar and a workshop on “Financing greener cities”. The webinar took place on the 23rd of July and results and discussion were used to better address the subject in the workshop. The “Financing greener cities” workshop took place in Athens, Greece on the 8-9th of October 2019 and counted with the support of Resilient Athens and Europe Direct City of Athens. The reports for both the webinar and the workshop can be accessed on the “Financing Greener Cities” dedicated page.
- EKLIPSE also supported a stand session and a “business-oriented workshop” during the ESP World 10 Conference. This conference was organized by the Ecosystems Service Partnership (ESP), and took place in Hannover, Germany on the 21-25 of October 2019. The goal was to strengthen science, policy, and business collaboration and uptake of ecosystem service concepts. The final report for the business-oriented session is now available on the “business-oriented session” dedicated page.
21.01.20 - ALTER-Net / EKLIPSE key messages for the new EU Biodiversity Strategy
ALTER-Net / EKLIPSE key messages for the new EU Biodiversity Strategy have now been published and submitted to the European Commission. Those 12 Key Messages are resulting from a multi-phased, iterative consultation survey among the networks’ scientists and other knowledge holders. It is a key outcome of the 2019 ALTER-Net / EKLIPSE Ghent conference ‘The EU Biodiversity Strategy Beyond 2020’ that addressed the contribution that research can make in helping to define the strategy targets.
- Read the final Key Messages
- Look back on the Beyond 2020 ALTER-Net & EKLIPSE Conference
- Learn about the EU 2030 Biodiversity Strategy Roadmap
We would be very happy if you could make those Key Messages circulated in your network.
19.11.2019 - Material and report on the “speed networking” session in the “World Congress for Wetland and lake restoration – Living lakes: Business and NGO partnership for climate change mitigation and adaptation” are now available online.
- Biodiversity Focus: How to efficiently include it in projects
- Climate change adaptation: restoration and/or resilience
- Participatory monitoring: How to ensure success in the long run
- Citizens science: How to empower citizens in bottom up actions
- Awareness and media. How to communicate and make actions visible.
This conference was organized by Fundación Global Nature Spain and Global Nature Fund International.
You can read the report, see the presentations and other material on the event dedicated webpage.
13.11.2019 - Report on the webinar “Exploring financing options for greener cities” is now available online
“Exploring financing options for greener cities”,held on the 23rd of July 2019, was a preparatory webinar for a 2-day workshop, on 8th and 9thof October 2019 in Athens, Greece. It was an opportunity for participants to get to know each other and explore specific needs. The organisers presented the focus of the workshop, key preparatory materials and started to tailor the most common and urgent challenges in financing biodiversity, ESS and NBS projects.
This webinar was developed by ICLEI – Local governments for sustainability in close cooperation with EKLIPSE mechanism and the NATURVATION project.
You can read the full report on the preparatory webinar and learn more about this webinar and the follow-up workshop. Material and report on the main workshop will be available soon.
30.10.2019 - On 25 October 2019 Miriam Grace of the EKLIPSE Methods Expert Group attended the Biodiversity_Next conference to present the findings of the Energy request. Biodiversity_Next aims to brings together international organisations, scientists, and policy makers to identify obstacles and opportunities around data-intensive biodiversity research. Miriam’s talk focussed on the interaction model integrating the results of an expert workshop, using a Fuzzy Cognitive Mapping approach to identify the impacts of EU renewable energy policies on biodiversity and the UN Sustainable Development Goals. More information on the energy request can be found here.
22.10.2019 - CREAF contributes to a European methodology to guide ecosystem restoration
Pilar Andrés is one of the eleven European restoration experts of the EKLIPSE expert working group to improve the effectiveness of existing approaches that aim to restore biodiversity and ecosystem function and services.
Pilar Andrés is one of the experts of the EKLIPSE EWG on restoration.
This responds to a request to understand the reasons why current approaches to restoration are not as effective as they could be:
What is hampering the effectiveness of existing approaches that aim to restore biodiversity and ecosystem function and services?
This request was initially put to EKLIPSE following the second call for requests by BiodivERsA, a network of national and regional funding organizations promoting pan-European research on biodiversity and ecosystem services, and offering innovative opportunities for the conservation and sustainable management of biodiversity.
To guide this answer, EKLIPSE put out a call and selected experts as part of an Expert Working Group (EWG). The call for expertise was highly successful, resulting in EKLIPSE receiving 23 applications from 15 nationalities. Pilar Andrés, was selected to be a member of this expert working group that covers a range of expertise identified in the call, and has a diverse geographical coverage:
- Judith Fisher (Fisher Research Pty Ltd/University of Western Australia)
- Jan Frouz (Charles University, Prague)
- Patricia Maria Rodriguez Gonzalez (University of Lisbon)
- David Moreno Mateos (Basque Centre for Climate Change)
- Jordi Cortina-Segarra (Society for Ecological Restoration Europe)
- Agata Klimkowska (Eco-Recover Ecosystem Restoration Advice / University of Antwerp ECOBE)
- Pilar Andres (CREAF)
- Apostolos Kyriazopoulos (Democritus University of Thrace)
- Prof. Susan Baker (Sustainable Places Research Institute – Cardiff University)
- Dr. Craig Bullock (School of Architecture, Planning and Environmental Policy – University College Dublin)
- Simo Sarkki (Oulu University, Finland)
This group met in Brussels in July 2018 and in October 2018 and had several additional meetings remotely. The EKLIPSE Working Group identified a structured process for organizing the work tasks and published in 2019 a protocol to outline the choice of methodology, details of the methodology and expected outcomes. The aim of this methodology is to assess the current knowledge of the reasons hampering restoration effectiveness and orient future research, policy and practice on ecosystem restoration.
The working group behind the document propose that the findings of the Methodological Approach assist to identify the underlying reasons for identified barriers and so, with an understanding of the causes and consequences, provide the opportunity to suggest solutions to overcome these barrier.
Today, the EKLIPSE Expert Working Group on Restoration has just launched the online public consultation of their report. You will find it in this link:
http://www.eklipse-mechanism.eu/restoration_request
22.08.2019 - Business-oriented workshop during ESP 10 World conference
To strengthen science, policy, and business collaboration and uptake of ecosystem service concepts, the Ecosystem Services Partnership (ESP) is organising a business-oriented workshop during its ESP 10 World conference in Hannover, Germany from 21-25 October 2019. This symposium will welcome up to six business representatives to share their ecosystem services experiences from the perspective of their corporate practices, with the objective of stimulating the academic community to better understand what ecosystem services means to private sector stakeholders and how they can be part of the ongoing drive to incorporate the concept into corporate action.
The session will increase business-science collaboration, knowledge exchange, and stimulate improved interactions between scientists, practitioners and policy makers. This session, will form part of the ESP conference business tracks that will be an ongoing initiative that operates under the Ecosystem Services in Business Sectoral Working Group, which serves as a vehicle for practitioners to meet and build on previous experience.
When ? 21st-25th October 2019:
Where ? Hannover, Germany
Organiser: ESP
15.07.2019 - ALTER-Net to take over management of the EKLIPSE Mechanism
In full cooperation with the EKLIPSE team, the decision was taken at an intermediate ALTER-Net Council meeting on June 18th 2019, that ALTER-Net and its consortium partners will take over management of the EKLIPSE Mechanism. The Council meeting took place during the joint ALTER-Net ~ EKLIPSE Conference on the EU Biodiversity Strategy beyond 2020 in Ghent.
This decision by the ALTER-Net Council means in practice that ALTER-Net will ensure within its financial capacity the management of the EKLIPSE Mechanism after the EU-financed period of the project, and with the clear objective to make the mechanism self-sustaining in the short term. This means that one of the main objectives of the EKLIPSE project has been achieved, namely to develop a mechanism and hand it over to the broader community.
The outcome of this decision is the result of months of work and preparation by both EKLIPSE and ALTER-Net. Now that a suitable host has been found, EKLIPSE and ALTER-Net will continue to work together and join forces to ensure the smooth transition of the mechanism as the EKLIPSE project comes to an end and the management of the EKLIPSE Mechanism is taken up by ALTER-Net.
12.03.2019 - ALTER-Net & EKLIPSE conference: The EU Biodiversity Strategy Beyond 2020
What should the post 2020 European biodiversity strategy look like? How will research contribute to this strategy and help to define its goals?
The 2019 biennial conference hosted by ALTER-Net and EKLIPSE will explore these very questions. With the central theme of the post 2020 European biodiversity targets and the potential contributions of scientific research, we will take a proactive role in the consideration and shaping of this critical strategy.
The conference will cover four specific sub-themes:
- Envisaging plausible futures
- Probable changes in nature
- New relationships
- Policy responses
Researchers, decision-makers and practitioners from all disciplines and fields are invited to contribute to this conference. Abstracts for session subjects, presentations and posters related to research insights and needs for biodiversity and ecosystem services (within the framework of the EU Biodiversity Strategy beyond 2020) are now being accepted.
Are you interested in contributing to the 2019 Conference? Please fill out the application form in our Call for Proposals.
Progam of the day is available here.
Registration is possible here.
Practical information:
Dates: 17-19 June 2019
Location: Augustinian Monastery; Ghent Belgium (the same location as ALTER-Net's previous conferences)
Costs: €90 for ALTER-Net and EKLIPSE members; €120 for non-member participants
14.05.2019 SYKE - EKLIPSE Video
As part of gathering societal input for the post2020 strategy EKLIPSE asked citizens across Europe what their environmental concerns are. Watch the video to find out what they answered!
30.01.2019 - A one time mission: Prepare EU negotiators with arguments to make the best possible impact in the next IPBES negotiations!
Call for Experts on How could the scientific community support the negotiators from the EU and its Member States to comment on the IPBES Global assessment Summary for Policy-Makers (SPM)?
EKLIPSE is inviting experts to join an expert working group to support the negotiators from the EU and its Member States to provide relevant comment on the IPBES Global assessment Summary for Policy-Makers (SPM).
Find the Call here.
Deadline to apply: 6th February 2019
5.12.2018 - Global to EU request
The draft workshop report of the workshop on "What needs to be done to better integrate research and knowledge on biodiversity and ecosystem services from the global to the European level, and vice versa?” Which took place at DG R&I on June 1st 2018 is now available for comments, until Dec. 16th 2018. To learn more about this request and consultation, please visit the relevant page.
4.12.2018 - EKLIPSE supported the EC with the organisation and facilitation of the 4th Science-Policy forum in the UN CBD CoP14
The 4th ScienceForum was held on 23-24 November 2018 in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, at CBD COP-14. 165 participants representing science, policy and civil society registered. The Forum was organized by the International Union of Biological Sciences, the European Commission, with support from EKLIPSE, the EU science-policy interface mechanism on biodiversity and ecosystem services, the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research, and the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity.
This science-policy dialogue engaged participants representing science, policy and civil society to discuss how science can foster implementation of biodiversity policy up to 2020 and inform the post-2020 global biodiversity framework. You can find the short agenda here.
The Forum provided an interactive platform for the participants to think innovatively, share knowledge and experiences and to showcase successful practices and approaches, as well as lessons learned in an inclusive participatory approach with divergent perspectives. Scientists introduced each of the eight sessions with an inspirational speech, followed by a moderated panel discussing key questions and interacting with the audience. Three regional break-out working group sessions focused first on the 2050 vision, then suggested actions to reach the vision, and finally targets to foster actions, all through the use of a back-casting exercise.
Key questions addressed: What is necessary to achieve the 2050 vision? What are the options and how can we re-inforce and accelerate action? How to operationalize transitions and transformational changes needed for halting biodiversity loss and ensuring long-term human wellbeing? How to open new pathways to design nature-based solutions for nature and people? And how to engage wider parts of the society? All discussions were centred around the role of science and policy in these transitions, as well as the importance of their effective interface to achieve progress.
These questions stimulated discussions across the various sessions during the Forum, which on their part provided input for formulating nine key messages (learn more) after the meeting:
- On engaging with society;
- On disentangling the 2050 vision;
- On actions to achieve the 2050 vision;
- On priority areas for target settings;
- On the potential role of nature-based solutions;
- On ecosystem degradation and restoration;
- On transitions and transformational changes;
- On the knowledge base for baseline setting and monitoring;
- On calls for research priorities.
The results of the Science Forum are recognised in CBD decision: CBD/COP/14/CRP.4 on Proposals for a comprehensive and participatory process for the preparation of the post-2020 global biodiversity framework as key source of information that will be used in developing documentation related to the post-2020 process and in informing the activities carried out.
14.11.2018 - EKLIPSE: Enabling a Science-Policy dialogue on the future of biodiversity at the CBD CoP-14 Science-Policy Forum
The upcoming 14th Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity will be instrumental in identifying what could be the long-term strategic directions for the 2050 Vision for Biodiversity, approaches to living in harmony with nature and the preparation for the post-2020 global biodiversity framework. Mainstreaming biodiversity and transformative change have been highlighted as indispensable solutions needed to achieve the objectives of CBD and other multilateral agreements, SDGs, and the Paris Agreement.
Following its third call for requests (CfR.3/2018), EKLIPSE received a request by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Research & Innovation (DG R&I), to facilitate Science Policy Interface.
Unlike the more traditional requests received by EKLIPSE, this request is not focused in the need for a Knowledge Synthesis, but instead on the development of a framework for facilitation of a high-level international dialogue to identify collective priorities for the future of biodiversity.
Since the approval of this request by the KCB, EKLIPSE has been in close contact with the Requester, to develop the concept, and put it in practice at the 4th Science-Policy forum, to be held on the 23rd and 24th of November 2018, at the margins of the CBD COP in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt. The main aim of this event is to bring together and engage scientists and policy makers to discuss how science can inform the post-2020 global biodiversity framework. To learn more about this request, please visit the Requests section.
How to enable a science-policy dialogue on biodiversity at the CBD COP-14 Science Forum?
The 4th Science-Policy forum is being organized by the European Commission, the International Union of Biological Sciences (IUBS), the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) and the CBD secretariat, with EKLIPSE taking care of the facilitation and input for the development of the framework.
7.11.2018 - EKLIPSE Workshop on the impacts of EU renewable energy policies on global biodiversity and the targets of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, 19-20 Nov 2018, Brussels
The EU Horizon 2020 EKLIPSE project and the Centre for Development and Environment (CDE), University of Bern are co-organising a workshop on the impacts of EU renewable energy policies on global biodiversity and the targets of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
The workshop, which will be held from 19-20 November in Brussels, will produce a conceptual model to inform the 2019 Global Sustainable Development Report (GSDR), drawing on expert participants’ understanding of the pathways through which renewable energy policies and technologies affect local and overseas biodiversity and sustainable development. Participants will be guided to structure the model components and their interactions in a graphical form using a fuzzy cognitive mapping approach (FCM). Please find the draft workshop programme here.
We anticipate that the workshop will offer an excellent opportunity to discuss EU energy policy and its biodiversity and development impacts with fellow practitioners and academic experts in the field, as well as to gain experience of FCM. We are also writing a scientific manuscript on the model creation process, and are open to co-authorship requests.
We would be delighted if you would consider attending and sharing your expertise with us, and look forward to hearing from you. If you are interested in participating please state your interest by responding to secretariat@eklipse-mechanism.eu by 12th November the latest, highlighting briefly your background and why you want to participate.
We will be able to support attendance expenses for a number of participants up to a maximum of 500 Euros per person. Please let us know if you require travel funding.
11.09.2018 - Emphasising collaboration for the EU post-2020 biodiversity strategy
September started with the inspiring yet challenging horizon scanning workshop that gathered 14 participants from different disciplines and corners of Europe together in Peyresq France to discuss the EU post-2020 biodiversity strategy. The 3-day workshop was a joint effort of EKLIPSE and Alter-NET to gather insights and stimulate conversation on how science could contribute to the upcoming EU strategy in effective and impactful ways.
At the workshop EKLIPSE presented the importance of societal engagement in environmental policy planning and also the mechanism itself as one way to strengthen the science-policy interface and enable the use of the best available knowledge in decision-making. The EEA presented the progress towards reaching the six targets of the current biodiversity strategy noting grimly that we are falling short on all but one of the targets. The IPBES assessments and SDGs were also presented to illustrate the complexity of global environmental issues and the interconnectedness of them to other socio-economic challenges we are facing. All participants gave statements regarding their views on central issues to include in the post-2020 strategy and different stakeholders that would be necessary to include to reach the needed level of ambition.
A major part of the workshop focused on finding the best processes to engage a vast range of scientists and societal actors to provide input on the upcoming strategy’s content. Transdisciplinarity and a plurality of views were perceived central to inspire action and ownership of scientists and the broader public in Europe. Discovering other groups and initiatives working on the post-2020 strategy and joining forces with them could help build momentum and strengthen the voice of research. Task forces to develop a call for collaboration and plan participatory approaches for gathering scientific and societal inputs to the strategy were established. Starting the process to build a movement that pushes for an ambitious EU biodiversity strategy that reflects what science and the people see as important for a sustainable biodiverse future was the exciting achievement of this Alter-NET and EKLIPSE workshop.
Progress of the work that will be carried out during the next months will be updated here on the EKLIPSE website.
23.08.2018 - Restoration EWG: Call for two Social Scientists
At its kick-off meeting, on July 26th 2018 the Expert Working Group for the Restoration request came to the consensus to extend the EKLIPSE Call for Expertise to allow for additional members with relevant social science expertise. This role is expected to take around 10% of your work time.
To learn more about the Restoration request, visit: http://www.eklipse-mechanism.eu/restoration_request
We are looking for two social scientists, with the following expertise:
- Social scientist, could also be a socio-economist, ideally with experience on social aspects of restoration, (perception, motivation, what prevents people from engaging in restoration, e.g. risk aversion, lack of trust and/or knowledge etc)
- Social scientist with legal & institutional expertise: background in political sciences, law, or economics (e.g. institutional economics) knowledge in studying regulation, policy design & implementation and governance.
In addition, it would be highly beneficial for both to have expertise on or experience of:
- Multi-criteria analysis
- Delphi processes
- Participatory methods
- Expertise on economics and business would also be desirable
- Demonstrated expertise in project participation, work package or project coordination, business engagement, membership of an expert group, or similar activities
- Proven ability to work in international scientific and policy processes (e.g. Fluency in English, language skills)
- Expertise on impact evaluation and/or conceptual frameworks to guide research processes
- Expertise on knowledge synthesis approaches
- Good understanding of the European setting. Applications from Scandinavian and Eastern European candidates are particularly encouraged.
The EKLIPSE Secretariat is accepting applications to join the Restoration EWG by 31st August 2018 by completing the following form: https://goo.gl/forms/9frTCsz8XQPmdQOI3
For more information about the work of the EWGs, please visit: http://bit.ly/2OiEdRE
If you require more information please contact secretariat@eklipse-mechanism.eu.
14.08.2018 - Deadline Extension for the EKLIPSE Call for Capacity Building events
After multiple requests from applicants, EKLIPSE has decided to extend the deadline of the Call for Capacity Building Events until the 31/08/2018, 23.59 CET.
12.07.2018 - Europe’s biodiversity beyond 2020 - Tackling the challenges to achieve targets
EKLIPSE is supporting the organisation of the CEEweb Academy, in collaboration with Eurosite, aiming to bring together scientists and policy makers, authorities and NGOs in order to bridge the gap between resilience thinking and adaptive environmental management of protected areas. The event aims in improving the understanding of climate change, its perceptible and foreseeable impacts and the role nature based solutions can play in mitigating them.
The event’s programme focuses on crucial ingredients for a more efficient implementation of EU nature policy:
- EU level networking to exchange knowledge and examples of good practice;
- Preserving crop-wild-relatives as an important resource for the future of EU and global agriculture;
- Increasing active involvement of the wider population into Natura 2000 management and (private) land conservation;
- Nature-based solutions that wetlands can offer to adapt to and mitigate the effects of climate change.
Please find the draft programme here and ensure your participation by pre-registering to the event, by the 21st of August.
In case you are a member of either CEEweb for Biodiversity or Eurosite, or if your organisation has signed a friendship agreement with Eurosite (the Migratory Birds for People network and SER Europe), please contact us at info@eurosite.org for a discount code.
26.06.2018 - How should the post 2020 European Biodiversity Strategy look like?
Announcement - Horizon scanning on the EU post 2020 Biodiversity Strategy
This will be the main question being addressed at the ALTER-Net Horizon Scanning workshop, which will take place from 2-5 September 2018 in Peyresq, France.
20.06.2018 - What needs to be done to better integrate research and knowledge on biodiversity and ecosystem services from the global to the European level, and vice versa?
During the second Call for Requests launched by EKLIPSE in July 2017, a request entitled "What needs to be done to better integrate research and knowledge on biodiversity and ecosystem services from the global to the European level, and vice versa?" was put forward by the European Commission, DG R&I.
This request is based on the need to translate the outcomes of global science-policy processes on biodiversity and ecosystem services into action at the European scale and, vice versa, to ensure that European science-policy processes contribute to the global debate. This recognizes that while many interactions between European and global level take place at the level of scientists, projects, (joint) programming, assessment review and adoption or decision making by parties, a more strategic approach could further improve processes and results.
The workshop took place on June 1st at DG R&I and was attended by over 30 experts from government, civil society and international organizations, to discuss the methodologies used to interpret international assessments into prioritisation of needs. Discussions were fruitful, and it is expected that the analysis will help identify the steps forward for better linking European and Global science and policy on biodiversity and ecosystem services.
18.06.2018 - Building the capacity of EU early career marine researchers to operate effectively at the science-policy-society interface
17th to 20th June 2018
Lošinj, Croatia
The early career marine researchers workshop, organised by the Integrated Marine Biosphere Research (IMBeR) project, together with EKLIPSE project and the MarCons COST Action, took place in Lošinj, Croatia!
The focus of the workshop is to equip EU-based early career marine scientists with the practical knowledge, skills and tools that are needed to operate more effectively at the science-policy-society interface.
During the workshop, lecturers enabled the participants to develop a strong theoretical and applied understanding of the science-policy-society interface as it relates to the management of coastal and marine resources in Europe and elsewhere. Participants also got the opportunity to interact and learn from local policy-makers and managers to gain first hand insights into the world of policy and decision-making, and ways to influence decision-making processes.
We were excited to be in Lošinj with an exceptional team of lecturers and participants, discussing in depth the challenges and opportunities of science-policy-society interface, related to marine sciences! You can trace back the progress of the workshop on twitter following the hastag #ECRscipol, as well as @EKLIPSE_project and @Imber_ipo
From left to right :
Albert Noström on producing usable science for real world decisions.
Chris Cvitanovic, on untangling marine politics, policies and management
Prue Addison on the role of science in supporting evidence-informed marine management.
Peter Mackelworth sharing a brief history of science and Marine Spatial planning in Croatia
06.06.2018 - EKLIPSE is hosting two consecutive symposia in the scope of the 5th European Congress of Conservation Biology (ECCB) in Jyväskylä, Finland on Wednesday, 13th June 2018. The topic is:
Informed decision making for planetary wellbeing: the challenge of science- policy-society interfacing in the European context (I+II)
These two consecutive symposia aim to reflect on both concepts and implementation examples of science-policy-society interactions. While the first symposium (14:30-16:30) gives a more general overview on challenges and particularities of the science-policy-society interface in the European context, the second symposium (17:00-19:00) focuses on case studies, specific tools and mechanisms.
For more information check the program and come to our symposia – you are warmly welcome!
29.05.2018 - During 2017 the societal engagement efforts of EKLIPSE focused on including different actors across Europe in discussions about the diverse values that nature holds and how they could be better integrated into decision-making. Finding ways to harmonize and communicate the plurality of these values including economic, ecological, social and intrinsic values was seen as crucial for better policies in the EU.
We hosted a nice series of science cafes starting from local level discussions in Hungary to an online event that had participants from many parts of Europe. Finding meaningful ways of communication between science, policy and society and encouraging multidisciplinarity and inclusiveness were seen as the corner stones of developing the harmonization of diverse perspectives into environmental policies. Read the full report on the intriguing discussions here.
More information on our Science Cafes here.
18.05.2018 - Reports on impacts of EMR (electromagnetic radiations) on wildlife
EKLIPSE invited a wide range of experts from different disciplines to discuss the current knowledge on the effects of Electromagnetic Radiation (EMR) on wildlife. The aim was to highlight the current state of the art in this field, to identify knowledge gaps related to the impacts on different taxonomic groups, to discuss the technical aspects and methodologies used in current studies, and to identify and prioritize key research needs and policy recommendations.
The two reports related to the web conference are now available:
1/ The Current Knowledge Overview report explains the work done by the Expert Steering Group in analysing a representative set of the peer-reviewed literature and include their findings which consist of:
- a list of the main results extracted from the studies
- an assessment of the quality of the reviewed papers and studies
- the identification of knowledge gaps
2/ The Web Conference report outlines the outcomes of the discussions that took place during the web conference and consists of:
- feedback from the participants on the first document
- lists of research needs and policy recommendations identified by the participants
More information on the web conference and its outcomes can be found on the dedicated webpage.
09.05.2018 - Ecosystem services and site management: from science into practice
Eurosite, in cooperation with EKLIPSE, organised a two-day short course, aiming in
introducing the participants, mainly protected site managers and researchers working in
protected areas, to the necessary steps a) for achieving Science and Policy collaboration, regarding biodiversity and ecosystems services, and b) for integrating of ecosystem services into the everyday management practice.
The short course took place at Wageningen Environmental Research centre, The
Netherlands, between the 8 th and 9 th of May 2018, hosting 20 participants from the EU and neighbouring countries.
The workshop focused on the:
- Analysis of the concept of ecosystem service in the framework of protected sites;
- Exploration of the importance of ecosystem services in management through identifying why do we need to utilize them in protected sites management and how to do this, through interactive sessions;
- Show-casing of several examples from study-areas around Europe;
- Identification of further training needs on the topic and provision of tools which will allow the participants to implement an assessment of needs in their organisation.
Important objective of this short course was to build connections between scientists and
practitioners who together are able to bring knowledge to practical application.
This short course aimed to combine participation of site managers, as the primary target
group, and scientists which specifically focus in protected area management and the use of ecosystem services for it. The participants had the opportunity to exchange their views, share experiences and issues they are facing in implementing the concept, and formulate the further steps needed to make the concept better embedded into the everyday practice of protected site management.
19.04.2018 - Lynn Dicks, Chair of the EKLIPSE Methods Expert Group, comments on Mongabay’s Conservation Effectiveness series, citing the EKLIPSE methods guidance notes as a means to achieve higher methodological standards. Read more.
17.04.2018 - The Webinar “Networking for the landscape: The potential of collaborative governance in addressing institutional misfit in the provision of ecosystem services”, took place on Monday 16th of April 2018, between 13.00 and 14.45 CET.
The webinar addressed a very important challenge in environmental governance, which is how to reach so-called ‘institutional fit’. This means to ensure that the established governance structures are spatially and temporally well-aligned to the ecosystems and ecosystem services they are meant to govern. It was based in the work done through the cp³ project: ‘Civil-public-private-partnerships: collaborative governance approaches for policy innovation to enhance biodiversity and ecosystem services delivery in agricultural landscapes’, which analyzed the potential of collaborative governance approaches to mitigate institutional misfit in landscape management, an issue with growing importance in ecosystem services governance. During the webinar, the participants had the chance to learn about the investigated challenges in ecosystem services management, the methodological approaches implemented during the project as well as take a look at successful initiatives for collaborative governance from 3 European protection areas:
- the Biosphere reserve Spreewald, Germany,
- the Nature park Jauerling-Wachau, Austria and
- the Berg en Dal region as part of the National Landscape Gelderse Poort, Netherlands.
The webinar provided insights regarding the specific features through which the collaborative governance approaches could successfully address and mitigate issues of institutional misfit in landscape management. Additionally, aspects of the importance of Science-Policy-Society interface regarding biodiversity and ecosystems services, through the work of EKLIPSE, were also introduced.
The inputs were provided by Claudia Sattler from Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research, Germany); Gregor Giersch from Organisation for International Dialogue and Conflict Management, Austria); and Lenny von Bussel, from Wageningen University, Netherlands), who presented and discussed results from the project cp³ [www.cp3-project.eu]. Zoi Konstantinou from the Faculty of Science, University of Porto, presented and discussed the EKLIPSE mechanism for Science-Policy-Society interface regarding biodiversity and ecosystems services in the EU [www.eklipse-mechanism.eu]
51 participants across Europe participated in the webinar and interacted with the panellists through Questions and Answers. Soon, the webinar presentations will be available in video, both in EKLIPSE and cp3 project sites, accompanied with a short report including comprehensive questions in all the participants’ answers.
Stay tuned with EKLIPSE for further news on our Capacity Building Actions!
05.03.18 - Do cities use science when planning for infrastructure projects? Do scientists share their knowledge with urban policy makers? The European Commission's EnRoute project is conducting a short online survey to investigate how scientists and policy makers interact in cities when planning and implementing projects. Click to start the survey.
15.02.2018 - Building the Capacity of EU early career researchers to operate effectively at the Science-Policy-Society interface. Applications are now open for this workshop to be held 17th to 20th June 2018, in Croatia. More information here.
22.01.2018 - 25.01.2018 : The impacts of artificial Electromagnetic Radiations on wildlife (flora and fauna)
Electromagnetic radiation (EMR) is the radiant energy released by certain electromagnetic processes, usually related to wireless and other technologies (microwaves, LEDs, cellphones, radars, antennas, etc.).
- present which types of organisms, EMR, and associated effects have been addressed by the existing studies
- identify key knowledge gaps and research priorities
- identify environmental policy recommendations
The discussion is still ongoing on our KNOCK Forum here.
Outcomes and results of the conference can be found on this page.
5.12.2017 - Informed decision making for planetary wellbeing: the challenge of science-policy-society interfacing in the european context EKLIPSE symposium in ECCB 2018 University of Jyväskylä, Finland, 12th -15th of June 2018. 
We now call upon scholars interested in science-policy-society interfacing to present their work and research at this special symposium next June 2018. All contributions to the thematic are welcome. The deadline for abstract (max 3000 characters) submissions is January 10th 2018.
Please use this link to submit your abstract for the symposium: https://submit.peerageofscience.org/conference/ECCB_2018/106853
In the European Union there has been a long standing discussion over how to better organize the science-policy interface (SPI) on environmental issues in general and on biodiversity and ecosystem services in particular. At the same time Europe has a broad landscape of knowledge holders, producers and users working and acting at diverse levels of policy-making related to biodiversity and ecosystem services. The session aims to reflect on the approaches and challenges of science-policy-society interactions from a scientific as well as practical perspective, build the awareness on the EU advice environment across participants and invite them to play an active role in the future.
20.11.2017 - The diverse values of nature - Online EU-wide Science Café held on Nov. 20th
The first EU-wide EKLIPSE science café was a vibrant discussion on integrating the diverse values of nature into policy making. The focus of the discussion was on finding solutions to existing disagreements and barriers for harmonized integration of diverse values into decision making in Europe. More information can be found here.
The four panelists; Maurice Hoffmann, Jouni Nissinen, Eszter Kelemen and Marina von Weissenberg tackled the topic from the perspectives of research, policy and civil society. With the help of a very active online audience the discussion was further enrichened by questions and perspectives brought out through the audience polls.
The cafe was built around three specific topics related to the integration of values. Firstly the panelists discussed channels of information when developing and communicating different values. Social media, expert opinions and research were brought up as the main sources, but also the insightful idea of nature itself being an important source and guide of our values was also expressed. Secondly types of arguments found relevant for influencing policy on nature values were discussed. The panelists mentioned the value of measurements and facts when arguing for certain policies, whereas the poll showed the audience’s opinion of monetary arguments as the most effective ones. Lastly trans-disciplinarity, overarching concepts like Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and citizen inclusion were highlighted as ways of bridging the gaps between different actors and perspectives on values.
This science café gave EKLIPSE not only a great way of answering the request and question how values can be integrated into policy but also ideas on how to further develop the societal engagement activities of EKLIPSE. We were excited to see people participate actively and we hope you all enjoyed the café.
For participants there is still time to answer a brief survey on your experience.
The videos and more detailed reports of the discussion will be published on the EKLIPSE website soon – stay tuned!
16.10.2017 - EKLIPSE exhibition stand at Oppla Insight event: “Nature-based Solutions: opportunities for business”
10th of October, BluePoint, Brussels
The purpose of the event was to bring together leading experts from enterprise and academia to exchange knowledge, share experiences and form new partnerships. The presence of an EKLIPSE team allowed to:
· Discover business initiatives in nature-based solutions
· Network with innovative businesses
· Learn about the latest research and funding
EKLIPSE colleague Christophe Janz took the opportunity to give a short ‘flash presentation’ during the parallel sessions, introducing the EKLIPE Mechanism and highlighting current calls.
1.06.2017 - Expert report on Knowledge Synthesis Methods is now available. [+] 
3.05.2017 - EKLIPSE has published the report from its first request for synthesizing available knowledge from policy makers. [+]
1.03.2017 - Final report of the Joint EKLIPSE/EPBRS/BiodivERsA foresight workshop "Social Innovation and Nature-based-solutions" is now available [+]
7.10.2016 - Questionnaire about networks
EKLIPSE is paying attention to you experience with networking and science-policy interaction! If you are representative or active member of a network that works on biodiversity and ecosystem services related fields, please spend 20 minutes with filling our questionnaire about network functioning. Your answers will help us to make EKLIPSE better, that is, to develop a more inclusive and efficient network of networks.
Link to the questionnaire: http://ww2.unipark.de/uc/eklipse-network-questionnaire/
23.09.2016 - EKLIPSE project at the European Ecosystem Services Conference 2016
The EKLIPSE project was very well represented at the European Ecosystem Services Conference 2016 that took place in Antwerp this week. The project had a stand at the Ecosystem Services Fair, which was a great opportunity to publicise the project and its overall aim of developing a long term mechanism to improve the interface between science, policy and society. A very nice analogy was made during the fair - of the EKLIPSE project acting as a cocoon, helping the butterfly emerge as a mechanism! EKLIPSE also had a session during the conference, where a number of different approaches were presented on how to communicate to policy. The conference was a great opportunity to meet old friends and make new ones, publicise our project, learn about how to better communicate, let people know about our calls, and our 1st joint science, policy and society conference in December in Brussels. Please join us there for more interesting discussions and action!
18.08.2016 - Science cafés
The EKLIPSE project will organize a series of Science Cafés to engage with society, both during the EKLIPSE project and the resulting science-policy-society mechanism. The engagement of society in issues around nature, biodiversity and ecosystem services is crucial. Citizens have often strong interests and a wealth of knowledge about these issues, as well as needs and expectations that can and should be addressed by science and policy. These Science Cafés are intended to be very interactive: they will provide information on specific themes, but will mainly aim to engage citizens, their knowledge, enthusiasm and action.
The first Science Café event will be held in Helsinki on the 6th September 2016 and will focus on the topic: “Nature-based solutions in urban areas” The Science Café will encourage a wide range of citizens to "come, discuss and dream with scientists of future cities where nature is the key to improving our urban lives and to protect the environment". For more information, please contact secretariat@eklipse-mechanism.eu.
Each Science Café will be followed by a broad dissemination of the outputs and outcomes via social and traditional media. The discussion on each topic could be discussed beforehand and afterwards on our Science Society Policy Forum, which will be set up before the end of the year.
15.07.2016 - Our expert group on NBS
Following an impressive response to our first call for expertise, we have now selected our expert group on NBS.
11.07.2016 - MOU with EU BON
At the GEO BON Open Science Conference & All Hands Meeting in Leipzig last week (4-8th July 2016), Carsten Neßhöver signed a Memorandum of Understanding with EU BON, on behalf of the EKLIPSE project. The main objective of EU BON is to build a substantial European contribution to the “Group on Earth Observations – Biodiversity Observation Network” (GEO BON). To achieve this goal, EU BON intends to connect to other leading institutions, organizations and projects in the biodiversity research and environmental information realm in Europe and also globally. This links up very well with the aim of EKLIPSE to build the "Network of Networks". To achieve this, EKLIPSE aims to engage with networks from different relevant subjects and from all over Europe, from local to international, to map existing knowledge, find out the best ways to bring knowledge together and to use it for decision support. The MoU with EU BON is a fantastic way to start building these partnerships!
27.05.2016 - EKLIPSE flyer
The first EKLIPSE flyer is ready. Click here for download.