Opportunities

Opportunities in the Alternet community and beyond

BESIDE Autumn School 2026: Digital Tools and Serious Games for Nature Restoration

The BESIDE Autumn School 2026 will take place from 26 to 30 October at the University of Aveiro, under the theme “Digital Tools and Serious Games for Nature Restoration: Bridging Science, Policy and Practice.”

Organised within the framework of the BESIDE project, this five-day advanced training course, taught in English, will explore how digital innovation can help bridge the gap between scientific knowledge and practical restoration action, while supporting evidence-based decision-making and the implementation of the EU Nature Restoration Regulation.

As part of the BESIDE project’s objectives to promote innovative approaches to the sustainable management of natural resources, this activity will give participants hands-on experience with two complementary tools developed in EU-funded projects: the RESTORE4Cs Decision Support Tool, designed to support restoration planning and prioritisation in coastal wetlands, and the A-AAGORA Serious Game, which explores stakeholder perspectives, negotiation processes and collaborative approaches to coastal resilience and ecosystem restoration.

Throughout the week, participants will take part in lectures, practical workshops, serious-game sessions, collaborative discussions, a field trip and a final co-creation forum. The course will be led by Ana Lillebø (CESAM, University of Aveiro), Christoph Schröder (ETC, University of Malaga), Anis Guelmami (Tour du Valat), Frederike Tirre (CAU, University of Kiel) and Dennis Nissen (Naymspace Software).

Participation is free of charge and limited to 15 participants. Applications will be selected based on the motivation presented in the registration form.

More information, access to the programme and registration form https://beside-project.eu/index.php/training-activities/

Registrations are open until 28 September 2026. 

CO-OP4CBD Expert Engagement Registration

The “Cooperation for the Convention on Biological Diversity” (CO-OP4CBD) project seeks to enhance coordination and leverage existing expertise and initiatives within the European Union (EU) to support the implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). The project receives funding from Horizon Europe, the EU’s key funding programme for research and innovation.

We are looking for experts and knowledge holders to engage in their individual capacity in CO-OP4CBD activities. This is an opportunity for researchers and practitioners to join a diverse network of biodiversity experts in Europe and beyond,* as well as take part in formative science-policy processes that will, as appropriate, contribute to the implementation of the CBD at the national and regional levels.

Do you have the relevant knowledge and interest to contribute toward impactful policy processes for biodiversity, nationally and regionally? Would you like to stay informed and engaged with the CO-OP4CBD project and its activities? Kindly express your interest in contributing to the CO-OP4CBD project by filling out the form below.