Guide for the establishment of national hubs

This guidance document provides a framework for establishing and operating National Hubs within EU Member States to enhance the impact of Biodiversa+ initiatives. National Hubs will serve as key platforms for consultation, coordination, and engagement among research funders, policymakers, environmental agencies, and other stakeholders.

Establishing a National Hub offers several benefits:

• Bridging the science-policy gap: Facilitating communication and knowledge exchange between researchers and policymakers.
• Promoting policy alignment: Ensuring national activities are aligned with Biodiversa+ objectives and contributing to European-level goals.
• Enhancing stakeholder engagement: Fostering collaboration and participation among key actors in biodiversity conservation.
• Supporting transdisciplinary approaches: Encouraging integrated approaches that combine expertise from different disciplines.

The document provides practical guidance on the establishment process, including stakeholder identification, goal setting, expert recruitment, meeting organisation, and work plan development, emphasising the need for flexibility to accommodate diverse national contexts. It also addresses potential challenges, such as managing diverse interests and securing sustainable funding, and offers recommendations for effective governance and communication. Biodiversa+ will provide support through guidelines, communication tools, and potential financial assistance.