The idea behind the project is to provide hope and to highlight the role of biosphere reserves in working towards a sustainable future by brokering between different interests. By brokering peace and cooperating with nature we can meet the challenges posed by climate change and achieve the SDGs.

During a residency, Abigail Sykes will carry out the What if foresight process with Biosphere Office employees, the Consultation Group for the Kristianstads Vattenrike Biosphere Reserve and the association Friends of the Vattenrike.

What if provides an opportunity to lead from the future on the Biosphere Office’s new theme ”nature’s clever solutions”. The results will also form a basis for the Biosphere Reserve’s action programme for 2025–2030. Abigail will document the process and its results in a report, enabling the process to be shared across national and international networks.

In order to communicate and deepen the project, Abigail will produce a foresight podcast with invited experts. The process and its results will also be communicated by means of press releases, blog posts, email updates, the Vattenrike website and social media, and an exhibition at the Naturum Vattenriket visitor centre.

The focus of the process and the podcast will be exploring how to broker peace with nature and achieve the SDG’s in practice in this particular location.

Project title: Brokering peace with nature using foresight in Kristianstads Vattenrike Biosphere Reserve
Participants: The Biosphere Office, Friends of the Vattenrike, the Consultation Group for Kristianstads Vattenrike Biosphere Reserve, and journalist and facilitator Abigail Sykes
Funder: Vinnova
Duration: 2024 January-May
Contact: Åsa Pearce, asa.pearce@kristianstad.se