Co-creating coexistence: Advancing policies, practices, and stakeholder engagement for integrating wildlife and livestock into sustainable multi-functional landscapes in Europe

Project description

Recovering wildlife populations can create challenges for rural professions, including extra costs and workload due to predation and damage mitigation as well as conflicts between stakeholders concerning wildlife management and the contested nature of relevant knowledge. This occurs in addition to existing socio-economic challenges. Some of the major obstacles to address these challenges are conflicts between stakeholders and the contested nature of relevant knowledge. CoCo will address these obstacles and transform the ongoing conflict. Through 8 work packages, a partnership of 17 research and stakeholder organisations across 12 European countries will create a Roadmap to Coexistence.

Semi-domestic reindeer

ImageCoCo

A Vision for sustaining pastoralism and wildlife

Coco focuses on valuing small-scale, sustainable pastoralism while addressing the cumulative impacts of wildlife recovery and socio-economic pressures. Through a blend of cutting-edge science, traditional practices, and local knowledge, CoCo aims to deliver actionable insights and tools to improve the livelihoods of pastoralists, conserve biodiversity, and enhance the multifunctionality of European landscapes.

Key Objectives Include:

• Conducting case studies across 12 European countries to explore the dynamics of pastoralism and wildlife management
• Co-creating knowledge with stakeholders to ensure legitimacy and foster trust
• Developing policy recommendations and practical tools for coexistence
• Raising awareness among policymakers, scientists, and the public about the complexities of human-wildlife interactions

Sheep and horses in electric fenced pasture

ImageT.Rooke

A Diverse European Collaboration

CoCo’s strength lies in its wide-reaching, multi-actor approach, uniting researchers, practitioners and decision-makers across Europe. By fostering social innovation and collaboration, the project will deliver impactful solutions to promote co-creation, biodiversity conservation and smart rural development.

CoCo is funded by the European Union’s Horizon Europe programme (grant No. 101181958).

More information

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