Periodic Reporting for period 3 - TROPIBIO (Expanding potential in TROPIcal BIOdiversity and ecosystem research towards sustainable life on land)
Reporting period: 2022-10-01 to 2025-03-31
The overall goal of the TROPIBIO project is to expand the research and innovation potential of CIBIO-BIOPOLIS in the area of Tropical Biodiversity & Ecosystem Research. The project is rooted on the network of TwinLabs established between CIBIO and institutions from Portuguese-speaking African countries, and aims to support research in biodiversity assessment, conservation and sustainable use, as well as ecosystem function and services. Hence, TROPIBIO is strongly contributing to achieve the Life on Land goal of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
TROPIBIO is important for society as it is predicted to contribute to the regional and national smart specialization strategies, as the overall objectives are to upgrade the research capacity through the expansion of the human potential and fostering a critical mass of researchers with inter-disciplinary expertise in tropical biodiversity and ecosystems research, consolidation of the TwinLab network by strengthening internal communication and promoting collaborative research among stakeholder, reinforcement of international partnerships networks, enhance long-term sustainability of Tropical research at CIBIO by increasing innovation potential and impact, and thus the capacities to attract national and international funding. These activities are contributing to the advanced training of human resources, and to the communication, dissemination and exploitation of CIBIO’s research and innovation. In addition, the TROPIBIO activities further strengthen the integration of TROPIBIO/CIBIO with the European Research Area (ERA), and strongly foster the participation in EU-Africa cooperation in science, technology and innovation.
TROPIBIO is important for society as it is predicted to contribute to the regional and national smart specialization strategies, as the overall objectives are to upgrade the research capacity through the expansion of the human potential and fostering a critical mass of researchers with inter-disciplinary expertise in tropical biodiversity and ecosystems research, consolidation of the TwinLab network by strengthening internal communication and promoting collaborative research among stakeholder, reinforcement of international partnerships networks, enhance long-term sustainability of Tropical research at CIBIO by increasing innovation potential and impact, and thus the capacities to attract national and international funding. These activities are contributing to the advanced training of human resources, and to the communication, dissemination and exploitation of CIBIO’s research and innovation. In addition, the TROPIBIO activities further strengthen the integration of TROPIBIO/CIBIO with the European Research Area (ERA), and strongly foster the participation in EU-Africa cooperation in science, technology and innovation.
The ERA Chair core team was completed (3 Assistant Researchers, a Project Manager, an International Liaison, Communication and Outreach Officer and 2 Technicians).
Consolidation of capacities to participate in the ERA was further reinforced.
Achieved collaborative funding:
The TROPIBIO team is part of an approved EuropeAid project “Action for sustainable landscape management in Sao Tomé e Principe”, as well as for “Mnt Moco conservation in Angola” & “Elephants in Guinea Bissau”.
Collaborations and efforts in strengthening relations with International Organizations and Networks are currently ongoing with GBIF and BOLD database, LTER – Europe and ILTER, UNESCO, Ecosulis Ltd, Life Watch ERIC, Africa-EU Cooperation (EuropeAid project), SAGEP, LIFEPLAN, Guinea-Bissau/TBA, Angola – Namba Mountains, Rainforest Trust (Equatorial Guinea), and World Land Trust.
Consolidating the TwinLab network
The setting the TwinLab Network and establishing basic logistic facilities to support research:
The implementation of the TwinLab network has progressed through signed agreements with Angola, Cape Verde, Namibia, & additional agreements and partnerships are being discussed.
Scientific training and support has been provided to e.g. Namibia, Angola, Cape Verde, São Tomé, Guinea Bissau & Equatorial Guinea and a number of research activities are being developed.
Maximizing impact: connecting research with policy and practice
A TROPIBIO Knowledge Mobilization Plan was developed and is being implemented according to plan.
The Stakeholder engagement program was established and the Development of Knowledge Mobilization flagship initiatives are being progressed according to plan. A Data Mobilization course was given in Cape Verde.
Project Communication, Dissemination and Exploitation
The final version of the TROPIBIO Communication & Dissemination plan was established, &
the dedicated project website & social media interactions were further expanded.
The conference/workshop participation (> than 15) & organization (> than 15) was strongly increased.
A Knowledge Management System was established.
Consolidation of capacities to participate in the ERA was further reinforced.
Achieved collaborative funding:
The TROPIBIO team is part of an approved EuropeAid project “Action for sustainable landscape management in Sao Tomé e Principe”, as well as for “Mnt Moco conservation in Angola” & “Elephants in Guinea Bissau”.
Collaborations and efforts in strengthening relations with International Organizations and Networks are currently ongoing with GBIF and BOLD database, LTER – Europe and ILTER, UNESCO, Ecosulis Ltd, Life Watch ERIC, Africa-EU Cooperation (EuropeAid project), SAGEP, LIFEPLAN, Guinea-Bissau/TBA, Angola – Namba Mountains, Rainforest Trust (Equatorial Guinea), and World Land Trust.
Consolidating the TwinLab network
The setting the TwinLab Network and establishing basic logistic facilities to support research:
The implementation of the TwinLab network has progressed through signed agreements with Angola, Cape Verde, Namibia, & additional agreements and partnerships are being discussed.
Scientific training and support has been provided to e.g. Namibia, Angola, Cape Verde, São Tomé, Guinea Bissau & Equatorial Guinea and a number of research activities are being developed.
Maximizing impact: connecting research with policy and practice
A TROPIBIO Knowledge Mobilization Plan was developed and is being implemented according to plan.
The Stakeholder engagement program was established and the Development of Knowledge Mobilization flagship initiatives are being progressed according to plan. A Data Mobilization course was given in Cape Verde.
Project Communication, Dissemination and Exploitation
The final version of the TROPIBIO Communication & Dissemination plan was established, &
the dedicated project website & social media interactions were further expanded.
The conference/workshop participation (> than 15) & organization (> than 15) was strongly increased.
A Knowledge Management System was established.
The TROPIBIO project has already strongly contributed to the expected impacts. In brief:
Institutional changes within the ERA Chair host institution
i) A Tropical Biodiversity & Ecosystem Research group, led by the TROPIBIO ERA Chair holder, was established ii) The project support and management office & the international relations office was reinforces through the TROPIBIO project recruitment iii) Consolidation, as well a expansion of theTwinLab network has been achieved iv) the visibility and impact in African countries had been increased, and the project building on the exchange of experts and training of students through strengthened engagement programs/building of partnerships (vi) Fund raising efforts are being strongly reinforced.
Increased attractiveness of the institution
Through the establishment of the reference research group in Tropical biodiversity and ecosystems, strong and well established research networks, in combination with access to the TwinLab network in Portuguese-speaking African countries.
Increased research excellence of the institution in the specific fields covered by the ERA Chair holder
The TROPIBIO team brings together a critical mass of researchers working in different fields, and hereby catalysing new activities. The increase in both know-how and networking capacities in the field has strongly been enhanced, as has the efforts in further consolidating and expanding the TwinLab network.
Improved capability to compete for competitive research funding.
A significant part of the resources of TROPIBIO is dedicated for networking with potential partners/stakeholders, as well as dedicated researcher and staff training on how to get involved in such initiatives. This has already improved the visibility of CIBIO/TROPIBIO and boosted the success in integrating in larger consortia. Some competitive funding has already been accomplished, and this is currently being further built on.
Institutional changes within the ERA Chair host institution
i) A Tropical Biodiversity & Ecosystem Research group, led by the TROPIBIO ERA Chair holder, was established ii) The project support and management office & the international relations office was reinforces through the TROPIBIO project recruitment iii) Consolidation, as well a expansion of theTwinLab network has been achieved iv) the visibility and impact in African countries had been increased, and the project building on the exchange of experts and training of students through strengthened engagement programs/building of partnerships (vi) Fund raising efforts are being strongly reinforced.
Increased attractiveness of the institution
Through the establishment of the reference research group in Tropical biodiversity and ecosystems, strong and well established research networks, in combination with access to the TwinLab network in Portuguese-speaking African countries.
Increased research excellence of the institution in the specific fields covered by the ERA Chair holder
The TROPIBIO team brings together a critical mass of researchers working in different fields, and hereby catalysing new activities. The increase in both know-how and networking capacities in the field has strongly been enhanced, as has the efforts in further consolidating and expanding the TwinLab network.
Improved capability to compete for competitive research funding.
A significant part of the resources of TROPIBIO is dedicated for networking with potential partners/stakeholders, as well as dedicated researcher and staff training on how to get involved in such initiatives. This has already improved the visibility of CIBIO/TROPIBIO and boosted the success in integrating in larger consortia. Some competitive funding has already been accomplished, and this is currently being further built on.