On the 19^th and 20^th of October 2017, the UNESCO Chair Con-Ect in collaboration with Nestos River Management Body organize the Workshop under the title: “Optimizing ecotourism development and conservation in Nestos river. The role of local communities”, which was held in Chryssoupolis Kavala, Greece. The workshop was co-designed with the local authorities of the area and was aiming to bring awareness to the local communities on the benefits and opportunities by introducing Nestos entire drainage basin as a MAB possible area.

During this meeting, the Nestos River workgroup team presented Nestos MAB candidacy file and invited also directors from MAB areas around the Globe to share their know how and expertise in mastering the above mentioned file in an extremely interesting workshop, taking place in field, hosted at the very Nestos Delta.

Main Benefits of Nestos Basin Region under WNBR/MAB:

1. Global exposure and promotion as a World Network of Biosphere Reserve under UNESCO MAB program
2. Development of the new scientific community involved in related projects for biodiversity etc, under UNESCO Chair Con-Ect, in Drama’s TEI
3. Establishment of partnerships with universities/research institutions to undertake research, especially UNESCO Chairs and Centres
4. Scientific knowledge transfer via international cooperation with other partners of BRs/UNESCO MAB
5. Development of sustainable ecotourism schemes for the covered regions
6. Local community engagement and promotion of green/sustainable/social economy initiatives inside BR
7. Promotion of BR as site that actively contribute to achieving the SDGs
8. BR as priority site/ observatory for climate change research, monitoring, mitigation and adaptation, including in support of the UNFCCC COP21 Paris Agreement

What is MAB?

Launched in 1971, UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere Programme (MAB) is an Intergovernmental Scientific Programme that aims to establish a scientific basis for the improvement of relationships between people and their environments.

MAB combines the natural and social sciences, economics and education to improve human livelihoods and the equitable sharing of benefits, and to safeguard natural and managed ecosystems, thus promoting innovative approaches to economic development that are socially and culturally appropriate, and environmentally sustainable.

World Network of Biosphere Reserves currently counts 669 sites in 120 countries all over the world, including 20 transboundary sites (full list : http://www.unesco.org/new/en/natural-sciences/environment/ecological-sciences/biosphere-reserves/europe-north-america/ .

• In Greece only 2 sites have been recognized as WNBR : Samaria Gorge and Olympus Mount
• There is global competition for sites to be included into the WNBR under MAB , due to the multifactor associated benefits

As specified in the 1995 Statutory Framework for the WNBR, biosphere reserves should strive to be sites of excellence to explore and demonstrate approaches to conservation and sustainable development on a regional scale.

Biosphere reserve should combine three interconnected functions – conservation, development and logistical support – through appropriate zoning, comprising: (1) one or more legally constituted core areas, devoted to long-term protection; (2) adjacent buffer zones; and (3) an outer transition area where sustainable development is promoted and developed by public authorities, local communities and enterprises. Thus, biosphere reserves integrate biological and cultural diversity, particularly recognizing the role of traditional and local knowledge in ecosystem management. They focus on a multi-stakeholder approach with a particular emphasis on the involvement of local communities in management, and often have highly innovative and participative governance systems. At the global level, the MAB Programme is governed by its International Coordinating Council (ICC), under the overall authority of the UNESCO General Conference and its Executive Board. The next level of governance is represented by regional and thematic networks. Governance at the national level is ideally through MAB National Committees.

Funds needed:

The completion of this Program requires minimum €40,000 that will be allocated for covering the expenses of global experts’ participation in the preparation of the Nestos MAB File Candidacy. The file preparation and in time completion is crucial in order to increase the possibilities of successful selection for Nestos as WNBR under MAB.

Sponsor’s contribution and benefits

Your company can contribute as a sponsor to development of the candidacy file for Nestos, allocating resources to the budget necessary for compilation of those files.

Sponsor’s benefits can be summarized below and may be adjusted based on sponsor request:

• Invest in new partnerships with the UN and UNESCO Chairs and Partners
• Highlight your involvement in the international purposes and leadership of the Chair
• Official Sponsor Status
• Exclusivity among Sponsors at a given level
• Use of Logos, Trademarks and specific Naming Rights
• Events, Workshops and Seminar Signage rights (local, regional, national and international level)
• Inclusion in media releases and other media contacts
• Inclusion in advertisements and event promotional pieces
• Promotional media advertising based on the activity of the Chair
• Showcase Sponsor’s activities in all the aspects related to the Chair
• Share mutual vision with employees, customers and stakeholders
• Demonstrate mutual commitment to building a better world for the environment, education and culture
• Access to deliverable: Nestos River Cadidancy File
• MSc graduates could undertake internships in your company
• Your company could indicate thesis topics of the company’s interests