On 21 April 2026 in Ponta Delgada (Azores, Portugal), Biodiversa+ organised a capacity-building workshop for BiodivTransform funded projects on engaging with the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) and relevant international biodiversity conventions. The workshop brought together project coordinators and principal investigators to explore how their research may connect with international science-policy processes linked to transformative change.
The workshop focused in particular on IPBES and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), with attention to the transformative change pathway, centered on the recognition and prioritisation of fundamental interconnections between humans and nature.
From projects to processes
Across the morning, participants were introduced to key international processes and explored how researchers can engage with them in practice.
Sessions covered:
- IPBES and how to participate in its processes as a researcher
- the knowledge gaps identified in the IPBES Transformative Change Assessment
- the CBD and relevant international conventions, including key strategic documents
- the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) and its targets
The programme also included testimonials from researchers already engaged in international processes (Christina Hvilsom – GINAMO project and Laura Pereira – SURPRISES project), alongside interactive working sessions. Participants discussed the relevance of BiodivTransform projects for the 23 KMGBF targets and indicators, reflected on possible tools for sharing future project results with the CBD, and considered how their projects may contribute to addressing critical knowledge gaps highlighted by the Transformative Change Assessment.
Connecting biodiversity research, policy and practice
This workshop forms part of Biodiversa+’s broader work on internationalisation and on strengthening connections between biodiversity research, policy and practice. Supporting researchers in understanding and engaging with international biodiversity processes is an important step in helping funded projects maximise their relevance and long-term impact.
