Project overview
Colombia is the second most diverse country in the world, in terms of species richness, habitats and diversity of cultures. An important part of Colombia's economy is based on natural resource extraction, biodiversity loss and its consequences on ecosystem functioning and services is a global challenge, and its negative impacts are more severely felt by poor people and countries where the dependence on natural resources is higher and the capacity to utilise them lower or lacking.
At this very important time in Colombian post-conflict history, we propose an innovative development strategy to deliver a multidisciplinary and integrated approach, which connects multi-sectoral institutions in the UK and Colombia to develop a shared vision centred on a biodiversity-based economy as a means to achieve sustainability and social and economic prosperity. Our short-term goal is to build research capacity, partnerships and knowledge, with a longer-term goal of stimulating economic and social growth around biodiversity.
In order to maximise the impact of its activities, the cluster builds on existing UKRI and Newton-Fund investments, existing partnerships, and novel engagements with industry, NGOs and government at the national and regional levels in order to contribute establishing sustainable bioeconomic strategies (Phase 1) and pilot initiatives (Phase 2) in the agri-food and scientific ecotourism sectors in four targeted regions of Colombia. These strategic sectors and regions have been identified in previous activities. It is only by bringing together expertise from different disciplines and multi-sectoral perspectives that
we can address the challenges of developing countries and effectively contribute to policymaking and implementation.
The cluster will deliver transversal impact through clear measurable outcomes aimed at (a) strengthening multi-sectoral (academia, industry, government) partnerships in the agri-food and scientific tourism sectors, (b) enhancing the economic development of Colombian regions.
At this very important time in Colombian post-conflict history, we propose an innovative development strategy to deliver a multidisciplinary and integrated approach, which connects multi-sectoral institutions in the UK and Colombia to develop a shared vision centred on a biodiversity-based economy as a means to achieve sustainability and social and economic prosperity. Our short-term goal is to build research capacity, partnerships and knowledge, with a longer-term goal of stimulating economic and social growth around biodiversity.
In order to maximise the impact of its activities, the cluster builds on existing UKRI and Newton-Fund investments, existing partnerships, and novel engagements with industry, NGOs and government at the national and regional levels in order to contribute establishing sustainable bioeconomic strategies (Phase 1) and pilot initiatives (Phase 2) in the agri-food and scientific ecotourism sectors in four targeted regions of Colombia. These strategic sectors and regions have been identified in previous activities. It is only by bringing together expertise from different disciplines and multi-sectoral perspectives that
we can address the challenges of developing countries and effectively contribute to policymaking and implementation.
The cluster will deliver transversal impact through clear measurable outcomes aimed at (a) strengthening multi-sectoral (academia, industry, government) partnerships in the agri-food and scientific tourism sectors, (b) enhancing the economic development of Colombian regions.