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Exploring Harmony: A Short-Term Scientific Mission into the Balance of Humans and Nature in Serra da Estrela, Portugal

At the end of June, it was time to explore. Plans: ready, materials: prepared, suitcase: packed, so off we went. Elena Todorova was warmly welcomed by her host, Antonio Monteiro from the Institute of Geography and Spatial Planning at the University of Lisbon. Together, with Ana Margarida Silva from the Centre for Intercultural Studies (CEI, ISCAP-P. PORTO), they headed to the Serra da Estrella Mountain for a MARGISTAR Short-Term Scientific Mission to uncover the delicate socio-ecological interactions that shape this unique mountainous region. They used Fuzzy Cognitive Mapping to explore how local communities and the natural environment influence and sustain each other. The next 12 days were full of meetings, festivals, cultural events, and adventures in nature. Read on for more about this journey.

Navigating Towards Sustainable Forest Futures: Reflections from the 26th IUFRO World Congress

From the 23rd to 29th of June 2024, Stockholm hosted the prestigious 26th IUFRO World Congress under the theme “Forests and Society Towards 2050.” MARGISTAR’s Dr Oksana Pelyukh, an assistant at the Department of Ecological Economics and Business at the Ukrainian National Forestry University (Ukraine), attended this global gathering supported by the ITC Conference Grant provided by MARGISTAR. This blog reflects on her experience and insights gained during this transformative event.

Advancing Tourism Research: Goda Lukoseviciute’s Experience at THE INC 2024

In June, MARGISTAR member Goda Lukoseviciute attended the Tourism Hospitality & Events International Conference (THE INC) in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. The conference focused on professional collaboration to understand and develop scientific ideas in tourism. Hosted by Hotelschool the Hague, THE INC 2024 provided Goda the opportunity to present her research, interact with professionals, and discuss future opportunities in her research interests. Continue reading to learn how the conference impacted Goda and the insights she took from her experience.

Vladimir’s STSM Experience in Sofia: Insights & Reflections

Recently, MARGISTAR’s Vladimir Stojanovski had the opportunity to participate in a Short-Term Scientific Mission (STSM) at the Bulgarian Academy of Science’s Forest Research Institute in Sofia, Bulgaria. This STSM was linked to MARGISTAR’s tasks in that it aimed to foster collaboration and knowledge exchange on sustainable forestry and rural development. As a researcher focused on the socio-economic aspects of forestry in marginalised regions, particularly in North Macedonia and South-West Bulgaria, this mission was a pivotal experience in his academic and professional journey.

Reflections from the Futures of Natural Resources Conference and Researcher Practices

In this blog, I report my personal experience at the Futures of Natural Resources Conference and reflect on the transformative ways researchers can participate in conferences to achieve the biggest possible positive research and outreach benefits and the least possible negative social-ecological impact.

MARGISTAR at the 21st Rural Entrepreneurship Conference: Empowering Rural Futures through Entrepreneurial Potential in a Net-Zero Era 

From June 5 to 7, MARGISTAR’s Anita Busljeta Tonkovic for the fourth time visited the Rural Entrepreneurship Conference at the University of Leeds, England. Although the conference location changes annually, it is host to a regular group of academics who Anita has been meeting and maintaining international scientific collaborations with for years. Read about Anita’s experiences and how these have changed since her first visit as a postdoctoral researcher in 2016.
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The SIMRA Project: Enhancing Social Innovation in Marginalised (Mountainous) Rural Areas

By Ivana Zivojinovic and Isidora Dabic (University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna)  The Social Innovation in Marginalised Rural Areas (SIMRA) project, funded by...

Living Labs: Facilitators in Fostering Innovation in Marginalised Mountain Areas

By Klaus Wagner, Ingrid Machold, and Somaye Latifi (Federal Institute of Agricultural Economics, Rural and Mountain Research (BAB), Vienna) The number of challenges that mountains...

Mountaineering Villages: An Initiative of the Austrian Alpine Association for Sustainable Mountain Tourism 

Mountain areas attract outstanding numbers of tourists. After beaches and islands, they act as the second most demanded outdoor destination for tourism activities. Where agriculture has long been the main source of income and entire areas are characterised by outmigration, tourism has sustainably improved and transformed the working and living conditions of local populations. Based on work being done in Austria, this blog shares insights into how promoting tourism activities in so-called Mountaineering Villages as a means of income diversification beyond traditional sectors can pose as an effective solution in marginalised mountain areas. 

Revitalising Marginalised Mountain Areas through Green Care 

Given the many potentials and challenges of mountainous areas, diversifying sources of income through Green Care can present sustainable opportunities for marginalised mountain communities. In Austria, expanding product portfolios in the agricultural and forestry sectors is a viable strategy of agricultural and forestry enterprises and smallholders to ensure economic sustainability.

A Deep Dive into Supporting Resilience of Mountain Farming in Austria

Mountain areas form a significant part of Austria, covering 70% of its territory and hosting 56% of all its farms. Austrian mountains, however, are also often classified as disadvantaged regions due to topographical and climatic factors. Farming in these high-elevation areas presents challenges, but also yields quality products vital for sustaining local cultures. In the face of economic challenges, policy support and off-farm activities have significantly improved living conditions for mountain farm households. Read on to better understand how policy-making can positively impact mountain farming and its role in sustaining cultural landscapes and providing employment in Austria's mountainous regions.

Celebrating Digital Innovation: The .ie Digital Town Awards

From revitalising town centres to propelling sustainability initiatives, digital technology serves as a catalyst for positive change. In support of these developments, the .ie Digital Town Awards in Ireland honour the strides made by communities across the country in embracing digital innovation. With significant investment and political support, these awards highlight the transformative power of digital in diverse spheres of life, starting from their potential to enhance connectivity to their role in revolutionising agricultural practices. As we celebrate the achievements of digital pioneers in Ireland with “.ie” - the country’s official registry of .ie domain names – we are reminded that innovation knows no bounds and inspires communities to embrace the possibilities of the digital age. 
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