RCE Porto Metropolitan Area-2014
1. Name of RCE :
Porto Metropolitan Area RCE
2. Continent:
Europe
3. Country:
Portugal
5. Project Title:
FUTURE - 100.000 trees project in Porto Metropolitan Area
7.Project Partner Contact Information Provide information about the main contacts for the project. :
Organization:
Portuguese Catholic University - Porto
Role:
Porto Metropolitan Area RCE Coordinator / FUTURE Coordinator
Main Contact:
Marta Pinto | mspinto@porto.ucp.pt
9. Project Description Provide a short description of the project including regional challenges it addresses, its aims as well as project activities/strategies Allow text field (character count 500 words):
The project FUTURE addresses three challenges at the regional level: improve and expand the natural capital, in particular native urban forests, which are related to a broader environmental quality context; emphasize the social capital, mainly through the creation of social networks that facilitate action and public participation; and promote inter-municipality cooperation so as to move the region to a more sustainable status.
The regional challenges addressed by the project extend from the Porto Metropolitan Area Environmental Strategic Plan (PMA-ESP). This plan resulted from a broad participatory regional planning process, conducted from 2003 through to 2008, and integrates the contributions of more than 5,000 citizens and 200 organizations and represents a shared view of the environmental challenges and solutions for the region. The plan concluded that citizens, decision-makers, researchers, educators, experts and government staff considered forest ecosystem management as a major challenge in the region. Education and training for sustainability as well as the need for participative citizens and more and better inter-municipality collaboration and teamwork also came up as very important issues.
With this is mind the Steering Committee of the Porto Metropolitan Area RCE decided to implement a great impact project that could address these several challenges simultaneously. The project was collaboratively design throughout 9 months.
The FUTURE’s aims are the reforestation and afforestation of approximately 100 hectares of land with 100,000 trees of autochthonous flora by 2016 and, at the same time, educate citizens on the importance of native forests and encourage the participation of all stakeholders in the creation, improvement and maintaining of the metropolitan forest.
The strategies adopted by the project seek: to bring together public and private organizations (and its human and physical resources) and citizens (the willingness to learn and act); develop and promote training and action opportunities for citizens; monitor and give feedback on project progress; and optimize all available resources.
The project activities range from: work group meetings; training courses; establishing procedures; promoting sharing of resources; deepening the collaboration between UCP and the outside community; structuring and maintaining a volunteer programme; promoting knowledge and giving feedback; identifying and characterizing areas for intervention; and preparing, planting, maintaining and monitoring these areas.
The regional challenges addressed by the project extend from the Porto Metropolitan Area Environmental Strategic Plan (PMA-ESP). This plan resulted from a broad participatory regional planning process, conducted from 2003 through to 2008, and integrates the contributions of more than 5,000 citizens and 200 organizations and represents a shared view of the environmental challenges and solutions for the region. The plan concluded that citizens, decision-makers, researchers, educators, experts and government staff considered forest ecosystem management as a major challenge in the region. Education and training for sustainability as well as the need for participative citizens and more and better inter-municipality collaboration and teamwork also came up as very important issues.
With this is mind the Steering Committee of the Porto Metropolitan Area RCE decided to implement a great impact project that could address these several challenges simultaneously. The project was collaboratively design throughout 9 months.
The FUTURE’s aims are the reforestation and afforestation of approximately 100 hectares of land with 100,000 trees of autochthonous flora by 2016 and, at the same time, educate citizens on the importance of native forests and encourage the participation of all stakeholders in the creation, improvement and maintaining of the metropolitan forest.
The strategies adopted by the project seek: to bring together public and private organizations (and its human and physical resources) and citizens (the willingness to learn and act); develop and promote training and action opportunities for citizens; monitor and give feedback on project progress; and optimize all available resources.
The project activities range from: work group meetings; training courses; establishing procedures; promoting sharing of resources; deepening the collaboration between UCP and the outside community; structuring and maintaining a volunteer programme; promoting knowledge and giving feedback; identifying and characterizing areas for intervention; and preparing, planting, maintaining and monitoring these areas.
11.Provide references and reference materials (possibility to upload additional documents (up to 8mb):
12. Duration of the Project Start Date: End date::
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Describe Coordination and management of the project. Please also reflect how the RCE as a network organization has contributed to the project and the challenges involved, if any. Character count 400 words :
The Porto Metropolitan Area RCE coordinating team (Environmental Studies Group of the Portuguese Catholic University - GEA) operates as the coordinating office for the project FUTURE. The organizations directly involved in the project include the Porto Metropolitan Area Coordination (PMAC), 16 municipalities (Arouca, Espinho, Gondomar, Maia, Matosinhos, Oliveira de Azeméis, Porto, Póvoa de Varzim, Santa Maria da Feira, Santo Tirso, São João da Madeira, Trofa, Vale de Cambra, Valongo, Vila do Conde, Vila Nova de Gaia), Forestis (forestry association), Quercus (non-governmental environmental organization) and the Portuguese Catholic University. Several other governmental offices are also involved: Forest and Nature Conservation Institute, Regional office of the Ministry of Education (DREN) and the Regional office of the Ministry of the Environment (CCDR-N). Non-governmental organisations, private companies, private forest landowner associations have also joined the project. At the moment, the project involves 37 organizations.
The GEA functions as a central element, aggregator and facilitator of the network, assisting partners in the planning, implementation and evaluation of the project´s actions. The team also promotes training courses and activities for citizens and technicians, enhancing the values of the network itself and/or involving other competent authorities. The PMAC represents the 16 local governments within the metropolitan area at a political level. The local governments, the Forest and Nature Conservation Institute and Forestry Associations contribute by affecting their own resources to the project.
The collaboration between partners is centered on mutual acknowledgement of responsibilities, an understanding of strengths and opportunities and focused on developing local capacity for future sustainable development of forests. This has resulted in an increased of public engagement, generation of new innovative ideas, near zero-budget for project development and, ultimately, successful growth of urban forests.
The practice of RCE Porto serves as an inspiration for similar projects in other parts of Portugal.
The GEA functions as a central element, aggregator and facilitator of the network, assisting partners in the planning, implementation and evaluation of the project´s actions. The team also promotes training courses and activities for citizens and technicians, enhancing the values of the network itself and/or involving other competent authorities. The PMAC represents the 16 local governments within the metropolitan area at a political level. The local governments, the Forest and Nature Conservation Institute and Forestry Associations contribute by affecting their own resources to the project.
The collaboration between partners is centered on mutual acknowledgement of responsibilities, an understanding of strengths and opportunities and focused on developing local capacity for future sustainable development of forests. This has resulted in an increased of public engagement, generation of new innovative ideas, near zero-budget for project development and, ultimately, successful growth of urban forests.
The practice of RCE Porto serves as an inspiration for similar projects in other parts of Portugal.
14. What are the current results of the project in terms of outputs (e.g. publications, developed practices, course materials)? Character count 300 words:
The outputs are:
• Case-study publication in “Traditional, Knowledge and Biodiversity” by the Institute of Advanced Studies of the United Nations University (2013)
• 21 short films featuring volunteers from the project.
• Forms for the characterization, monitoring and evaluation of the areas of the project.
• Reports (on planting results, monitoring, etc.).
• Information on native trees and forests (embaixadadafloresta.blogspot.pt/p/arvores.html).
• Case-study publication in “Traditional, Knowledge and Biodiversity” by the Institute of Advanced Studies of the United Nations University (2013)
• 21 short films featuring volunteers from the project.
• Forms for the characterization, monitoring and evaluation of the areas of the project.
• Reports (on planting results, monitoring, etc.).
• Information on native trees and forests (embaixadadafloresta.blogspot.pt/p/arvores.html).
15. What are the expected/confirmed outcomes (e.g. impact of the project) Character count 400 words:
The environmental results have not been quantified but it is expected that biodiversity, soil’s bio capacity and water regulation improve and that approximately 173 tonnes of carbon dioxide be stored per hectare planted per year (annual average for a 40 year period). The trees planted are very young, with lengths ranging from 10 cm to 50 cm and the expected results can only be measured over the next decades.
Outcomes thus far:
• 34,139 trees planted on 88.6 hectares (planting area equivalent to 90 soccer fields).
• The tree survival rate in the areas planted in 2011/2013 (examined during July 2013) was more than 60%.
• 173 tons of CO2 per year(1) = annually our trees capture the equivalent of 600g of CO2 per resident of the city of Porto(3).
• €1,400,000 in ecological services per year(2) = annually our trees “give back” to each citizen(3) of the Porto Metropolitan Area €0.84 in ecological services.
Note (1): Potential for carbon retention: annual average for a 40 year expectancy for the number of trees planted to date
Note (2): Estimate based on the ability of the (adult) trees to capture CO2, atmospheric pollutants and intercept rainwater.
Note (3): Total of 227,535 residents in the city of Porto and 1,663,277 residents in the Metropolitan Area of Porto (2011)
From the social capital perspective (civic engagement and social connectedness) several outcomes are to be highlighted. As a consequence of the collaborative design, the project is currently managed with a near-zero budget, relying wholly on stakeholders’ resources. 37 organisations are registered: municipalities, landowners, forestry, environmental and social non-governmental organisations, companies, governmental organisations, educational institutions and political parties. Several of these organisations are officially in charge of forest management, allowing the project a good degree of sustainability.
Outcomes thus far:
• 593 hours of activities held.
• 6,083 volunteer participation.
• 16,083 volunteer hours given to the project.
• 680 hours of training courses/activities
• Number of municipalities involved: 8 (2011); 15 (2014)
Partnership with other universities was a goal of this project that has been accomplished (examples: University of Porto, University of Coimbra)
Outcomes thus far:
• 34,139 trees planted on 88.6 hectares (planting area equivalent to 90 soccer fields).
• The tree survival rate in the areas planted in 2011/2013 (examined during July 2013) was more than 60%.
• 173 tons of CO2 per year(1) = annually our trees capture the equivalent of 600g of CO2 per resident of the city of Porto(3).
• €1,400,000 in ecological services per year(2) = annually our trees “give back” to each citizen(3) of the Porto Metropolitan Area €0.84 in ecological services.
Note (1): Potential for carbon retention: annual average for a 40 year expectancy for the number of trees planted to date
Note (2): Estimate based on the ability of the (adult) trees to capture CO2, atmospheric pollutants and intercept rainwater.
Note (3): Total of 227,535 residents in the city of Porto and 1,663,277 residents in the Metropolitan Area of Porto (2011)
From the social capital perspective (civic engagement and social connectedness) several outcomes are to be highlighted. As a consequence of the collaborative design, the project is currently managed with a near-zero budget, relying wholly on stakeholders’ resources. 37 organisations are registered: municipalities, landowners, forestry, environmental and social non-governmental organisations, companies, governmental organisations, educational institutions and political parties. Several of these organisations are officially in charge of forest management, allowing the project a good degree of sustainability.
Outcomes thus far:
• 593 hours of activities held.
• 6,083 volunteer participation.
• 16,083 volunteer hours given to the project.
• 680 hours of training courses/activities
• Number of municipalities involved: 8 (2011); 15 (2014)
Partnership with other universities was a goal of this project that has been accomplished (examples: University of Porto, University of Coimbra)
16. Are there any unexpected/unplanned results achieved by your project? If yes, briefly describe or list them . Character count 200 words.:
The project received the Award Terre de Femmes 2013 Portugal and 2nd place in the Audience Award Terre de Femmes International 2013.
In the present year, the project is co-financed with FEDER funds which will boost the number of activities promoted and resources available to its stakeholders.
It is a case study in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change website (unfccc.int/secretariat/momentum_for_change/items/8299.php)
The coordinating team has moved up from the Biotechnology College of the Portuguese Catholic University to the Central Services of the University, reporting directly to the President (which evidences the importance of the project FUTURE to the University as a whole).
In the present year, the project is co-financed with FEDER funds which will boost the number of activities promoted and resources available to its stakeholders.
It is a case study in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change website (unfccc.int/secretariat/momentum_for_change/items/8299.php)
The coordinating team has moved up from the Biotechnology College of the Portuguese Catholic University to the Central Services of the University, reporting directly to the President (which evidences the importance of the project FUTURE to the University as a whole).
17. What are the remaining challenges and/or limitations for further development? Character count 300 words.:
Policies and regulation that benefit native forest landowners have yet to be achieved for the region.
Integrated studies developed in higher education and with different partners is still a work in progress.
Establishment of a volunteer programme with a greater commitment feature (ex. adoption of a particular area) is the next phase of the present programme.
Integrated studies developed in higher education and with different partners is still a work in progress.
Establishment of a volunteer programme with a greater commitment feature (ex. adoption of a particular area) is the next phase of the present programme.
18. What is the project’s contribution to innovative and transformative educational processes for sustainable development (especially regarding formal and/ non-formal learning/research)? Character count 500 words:
On the one hand, through the training and action process that characterizes the project, we trust it is contributing to the non-formal education for sustainable development of numerous citizens (adult, young people and children) participating in the tasks of planting, maintaining and monitoring the success of the field interventions. The coordination team, regularly in contact with the citizens enrolled with the project (in person and using social networks), continuously receives positive feedback from participants. For instance, participants have learned to: identify native tree species (as well as to recognize unwanted invasive species); understand the environmental, social and economic benefits of trees and forests in the region; and realise the complexity involved in extending and managing native forests in a non-friendly policy context (at the national level). Ultimately more important to report is the role of this project in helping people to affectively connect with their region; we frequently receive feedback from people that return to the intervention area to check out on their trees. We encourage research in this area (enrolling researchers of the Faculty of Psychology and Education of Catholic University).
On the other hand, the project is demonstrating its potential as a purpose for research. We are on the way to establish a partnership with the Faculty of Biology (Porto University) to use our areas of intervention as an action-research study.
On the other hand, the project is demonstrating its potential as a purpose for research. We are on the way to establish a partnership with the Faculty of Biology (Porto University) to use our areas of intervention as an action-research study.
19.How can you scale up and mainstream ESD and SD practices of the project and enable it to contribute to the implementation of the Global Action Programme (GAP) as proposed by UNESCO? (max 300 words):
The Porto Metropolitan Area RCE experience and its flagship project FUTURE can work as a modest example to the implementation of the GAP.
The sustainable development challenges that the FUTURE is addressing are being worked out through a multi-stakeholder dialogue, collaboration and cooperation between universities (University of Porto and University of Coimbra researchers are also collaborating), local governments, regional coordination offices, governmental agencies, non-governmental organizations, educational institutions, citizens, private companies, and private forest owners, among others. This is possible because the Porto Metropolitan Area RCE is being an effective network to debate, develop, operationalise, implement and monitor relevant projects for the region. The process was born with a wide participatory regional planning that took place between 2003 and 2008 and that fortunately generate the social capital needed to continue.
The sustainable development challenges that the FUTURE is addressing are being worked out through a multi-stakeholder dialogue, collaboration and cooperation between universities (University of Porto and University of Coimbra researchers are also collaborating), local governments, regional coordination offices, governmental agencies, non-governmental organizations, educational institutions, citizens, private companies, and private forest owners, among others. This is possible because the Porto Metropolitan Area RCE is being an effective network to debate, develop, operationalise, implement and monitor relevant projects for the region. The process was born with a wide participatory regional planning that took place between 2003 and 2008 and that fortunately generate the social capital needed to continue.
20. How does you project contribute institutional and policy reforms as part of sustainability change? Character count 500 words:
The elected Mayors, Environmental Counsellors and officials of 17 municipalities are diligently enrolled in the project and are acknowledging the advantages of developing a collaborative project (that was born within the RCE Steering Committee!), coordinating their efforts to solve a regional challenge, creating a facilitating environment for citizens to participate and monitoring and reporting back results to the community. The results and encouraging feedback the project is providing is feeding a positive loop that nourishes the project itself and opens a path to solve other regional challenges using a similar method. In the past, most ESD projects promoted by or involving municipalities was poorly planned, mainly based on information strategies (rather than on effective participation opportunities) and rarely collaborative or evaluated/monitored. The present local and regional decision-makers will be in office for several years to come and some will, in the future, be in charge of a Ministry or Secretary of State. The learning opportunity the project is providing to decision-makers (as well as officials) can help expand the collaborative, cooperative and co-creative approach to sustainability challenges.
This project is considered a pilot of the National Programme “Common Forest”, a partnership between a governmental organization (Forest and Nature Conservation Institute), the non-governmental organization (Quercus) and the Nacional Association of Portuguese Municipalities, which evaluates and distributes native seedlings to local/regional reforestation projects that respect a set of pre-established criteria.
The project is also creating an enabling environment to further study and debate policy about the ecologic, social and cultural services associated with native forest in the region. This knowledge and debate could feed future regulations related with economic and fiscal benefits for private landowners that care for and expand native forest areas (90% of the forest plots in Portugal are privately owned) as well as the importance of further public investments.
This project is considered a pilot of the National Programme “Common Forest”, a partnership between a governmental organization (Forest and Nature Conservation Institute), the non-governmental organization (Quercus) and the Nacional Association of Portuguese Municipalities, which evaluates and distributes native seedlings to local/regional reforestation projects that respect a set of pre-established criteria.
The project is also creating an enabling environment to further study and debate policy about the ecologic, social and cultural services associated with native forest in the region. This knowledge and debate could feed future regulations related with economic and fiscal benefits for private landowners that care for and expand native forest areas (90% of the forest plots in Portugal are privately owned) as well as the importance of further public investments.
21. How does your project further improve capacities of various partners and stakeholders on the theme? Character count 500 words.:
The project improves the capacity of citizens (several ages), private landowners, technical staff (municipalities and other governmental organisations as well as non-governmental organisations) and decision-makers.
It creates training and action opportunities for citizens: identification and characterization of native tree and shrubs; planting, caring and monitoring methods; identification and control methods for invasive plants; basic trees physiology (for instance, why do some tree species lose their leaves in autumn? how does that happen?; gastronomy related with native tree species (chestnut, mushrooms, honey…); the importance of trees to several cultures and heritages (focusing on Celtiberian evidences), etc. It also promotes affective connections between citizens and their trees (territory) and helps people understand the complex puzzle of institutional competencies relatively to forest management. The themes and approaches area adapted to the distinct publics (schoolchildren, voluntaries, etc.).
The project also creates technical training opportunities for private owners and technical staff (municipalities and other governmental organisations as well as non-governmental organisations) as well as continuous learning on methods and benefits of collaborative work. The coordinating staff of the project – with the help of researchers and previous projects - creates methods and procedures templates that aim to orient the technical staff at the municipalities.
It creates training and action opportunities for citizens: identification and characterization of native tree and shrubs; planting, caring and monitoring methods; identification and control methods for invasive plants; basic trees physiology (for instance, why do some tree species lose their leaves in autumn? how does that happen?; gastronomy related with native tree species (chestnut, mushrooms, honey…); the importance of trees to several cultures and heritages (focusing on Celtiberian evidences), etc. It also promotes affective connections between citizens and their trees (territory) and helps people understand the complex puzzle of institutional competencies relatively to forest management. The themes and approaches area adapted to the distinct publics (schoolchildren, voluntaries, etc.).
The project also creates technical training opportunities for private owners and technical staff (municipalities and other governmental organisations as well as non-governmental organisations) as well as continuous learning on methods and benefits of collaborative work. The coordinating staff of the project – with the help of researchers and previous projects - creates methods and procedures templates that aim to orient the technical staff at the municipalities.
22.What is the significance of this project for developing global linkages in order to strengthen activities in this area? (max 250 words):
Although this project is well adapted to the reality of our region (challenges, organizations and context are very particular), there is openness in sharing experiences and developing joint initiatives with other regions. We have closely followed similar projects occurring in other regions of the world.
23. What is novel about the project within the RCE network and what could other RCEs learn from this experience? (Answer only if relevant) Character count 250 words.:
The project FUTURE is an evidence of a community-based approach RCE. The University (Portuguese Catholic University – Porto) actively explored the regional challenges with the community, developing a regional planning process with the participation of 5.000 citizens and more than a 200 organizations, and is collaboratively working with the community with the aim of addressing those challenges (starting one at a time). The creation of the RCE in Porto (2009) is itself a result of that planning process.
In this process the University (Portuguese Catholic University – Porto) is aware of its responsibility in promoting multi-stakeholder learning and community engagement for sustainable development and created a dedicated staff team (4 people) that work with governmental organisations, local governments and non-governmental organisations with this aim.
In this process the University (Portuguese Catholic University – Porto) is aware of its responsibility in promoting multi-stakeholder learning and community engagement for sustainable development and created a dedicated staff team (4 people) that work with governmental organisations, local governments and non-governmental organisations with this aim.
24. What is the significance of this project for the region? How important are its results for its particular project category? Character count 250 words.:
The project FUTURE focuses on the importance of urban forests native as a means to promote biodiversity, the retention of carbon, as well as offer other environmental, social and economic services to the region. At this level, some modest but important results (see #15) have been achieved. It is important to mention that in the region, about 90% of forestland is occupied by monocultures, soils are eroded (partly due to frequent and concentrated number of forest fires) and with a strong presence of invasive plants.
From the point of view of Capacity Development, Community Engagement and Networking, we highlight the number of partners (which grew from 30 to 37), the number of voluntary participation of citizens in caring for, planting and monitoring activities (totalling 16,083 volunteer hours given to the project, the equivalent of having 15 volunteer hours per day nonstop since the first activities on 29 October 2011).
Additional highlights:
• 680 hours of training courses/activities
• Number of municipalities (local governments) involved: 8 (2011); 15 (2014)
We believe that this project, in addition to its direct results, has a very important demonstrative role for other regions of the country and we can say that is already a reference for some. Invitations have been accepted to present the methodology and results of the project FUTURE in several national conferences.
From the point of view of Capacity Development, Community Engagement and Networking, we highlight the number of partners (which grew from 30 to 37), the number of voluntary participation of citizens in caring for, planting and monitoring activities (totalling 16,083 volunteer hours given to the project, the equivalent of having 15 volunteer hours per day nonstop since the first activities on 29 October 2011).
Additional highlights:
• 680 hours of training courses/activities
• Number of municipalities (local governments) involved: 8 (2011); 15 (2014)
We believe that this project, in addition to its direct results, has a very important demonstrative role for other regions of the country and we can say that is already a reference for some. Invitations have been accepted to present the methodology and results of the project FUTURE in several national conferences.
Region:
Europe
