International Development
Ecologic Institute's impact extends far beyond Europe, as its scientific staff operates globally in the area of international development. The Institute's team possesses in-depth regional knowledge, particularly regarding countries in Latin America, the Caribbean, Asia (e.g. China, Mongolia, Vietnam), Africa (e.g. Morocco, Ethiopia), and the Middle East.
The researchers at Ecologic Institute tackle a wide range of environmental issues in countries of the Global South, just as they do in Europe. Their expertise spans sustainable urban development, coastal and marine management, water resources, climate adaptation, biodiversity conservation, ecosystem restoration, agriculture, green infrastructure, nature-based solutions, sustainable consumption, air quality management, and bioeconomy.
Ecologic Institute's scientific staff not only conducts research, but also facilitates expert visits, study tours, and summer academies to promote collaboration between European and Global South professionals. Additionally, the researchers provide crucial information to governments in the aforementioned countries to help them establish robust environmental and climate governance frameworks.
The researchers’ work is guided by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which serve as their compass for international development cooperation. Furthermore, they actively support the European Union in its efforts to achieve these SDGs by monitoring the 2030 Agenda. Ecologic Institute is dedicated to creating a greener and more equitable world for all.
Selected Projects for International Development
Sustainable Development Goals
Sustainable development is a long-term political goal of the European Union (EU), which has become even more important since the adoption of sustainable development goals (SDGs). Eurostat, the Statistical Office of the European Union, has been monitoring progress in the... Read more
Monitoring of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Europe 2020 Strategy and Policy Initiatives beyond 2020
- Duration
-
-
- Funding
-
European Commission, Eurostat (Eurostat), International
How to link the goals of the Agenda 2030, the Paris Convention, the Sendai Framework for Disaster Reduction and climate adaptation policies? The project examines synergies and challenges in the joint implementation of these processes. To this end, several papers, among... Read more
Joint Implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the Paris Agreement
- Duration
-
-
- Funding
-
German Environment Agency (UBA), Germany
A sustainable bioeconomy could contribute to replacing fossil-based resources and feeding a growing world population. Inherent to a transformation towards such an economy are economic, ecological and social opportunities as well as risks. This project for the German... Read more
Sustainable Resource Use – Requirements for a Sustainable Bioeconomy from Agenda 2030 / SDG Implementation
- Duration
-
-
- Funding
-
German Environment Agency (UBA), Germany
Latin America and the Caribbean
ProjectHorizon 2020International Cooperation to Restore and Connect Urban Environments in Latin America and Europe (INTERLACE)
Cities and their peripheries are constantly confronted with challenges such as urban sprawl, climate change and pollution. These processes can exacerbate the degradation of natural ecosystems, and jeopardize ecosystem service provisioning with negative consequences for... Read more
International Cooperation to Restore and Connect Urban Environments in Latin America and Europe (INTERLACE)
- Duration
-
-
- Funding
-
European Commission, Directorate-General Research & Innovation (DG Research & Innovation), International
ProjectHorizon 2020Co-designing Locally-tailored Ecological Solutions for Value-added, Socially Inclusive Regeneration in Cities (CLEVER Cities)
With three quarters of the European Union's population living in cities and further increases expected, societies are increasingly facing socio-political shifts and marginalization. Limited availability of physical space, changing urban demographics, and increasing... Read more
Co-designing Locally-tailored Ecological Solutions for Value-added, Socially Inclusive Regeneration in Cities (CLEVER Cities)
- Duration
-
-
- Funding
-
European Commission, Directorate-General Research & Innovation (DG Research & Innovation), International
ProjectHorizon 2020Pond Ecosystems for Resilient Future Landscapes in a Changing Climate (PONDERFUL)
Even the smallest ponds can play a big role in fighting climate change. Largely neglected and generally undervalued, ponds are also remarkably important for biodiversity conservation.
Small water bodies such as ponds are, both globally and in Europe, the most... Read more
Pond Ecosystems for Resilient Future Landscapes in a Changing Climate (PONDERFUL)
- Duration
-
-
- Funding
-
European Commission, Directorate-General Research & Innovation (DG Research & Innovation), International
This project aims at strengthening the financing of River Basin Organisations (RBOs) in Latin America. Adequate financing of RBOs is crucial for improving water management and increasing local capacities to prepare for and adapt to climate change. In order to achieve... Read more
River Basins and Financial Redistribution in Practice (EcoCuencas)
- Duration
-
-
- Funding
-
European Commission, Directorate-General Development and Cooperation (EuropeAid), International
The BMZ/KFW funded project 'Coastal Protection for Climate Change Adaptation in the Small Island States in the Caribbean' aims to improve coastal ecosystem services to reduce the impacts of climate change in Jamaica, Grenada, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the... Read more
Ecosystem Services Assessment for Local Climate Adaptation Measures in the Caribbean
- Duration
-
-
- Funding
-
KfW Development Bank (KfW), Germany Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (CCCCC), International
Asia
Plastic pollution has become one of the most pressing environmental issues. Calls for a global treaty to tackle plastic pollution have increased over the last years, discussions will continue at the next sessions of the UN Environment Assembly in February 2022. After... Read more
A Global Treaty on Plastic Pollution – Perspectives from Asia
- Duration
-
-
- Funding
-
World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), Germany
In order to reduce air pollution, especially in large cities, Vietnam is discussing the introduction of air quality planning and an integrated permit system as part of the revision of its Law on Environmental Protection. Together with the Independent Institute for... Read more
Air Quality Planning and Control of Industrial Emissions in Vietnam
- Duration
-
-
- Funding
-
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), Germany
Vietnam is currently revising its Law on Environmental Protection and therefore also revisiting the chapter on climate change. Ecologic Institute supports the Vietnamese Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment in adapting the provisions to the requirements of the... Read more
Climate Change Legislation in Vietnam
- Duration
-
-
- Funding
-
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), Germany
Air pollution is becoming a pressing issue, especially in Vietnam's bigger cities. The Ecologic Institute supports the Vietnamese government in its current revision of the Law on Environmental Protection by researching international experience and providing tailored... Read more
Air Quality Management in Vietnam
- Duration
-
-
- Funding
-
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), Germany
For several years, the EU and China have cooperated on the design and implementation of carbon markets. Since 2018, the Ecologic Institute has become part of an international consortium led by ICF to deliver capacity building, training and joint research activities in... Read more
Platform for Policy Dialogue and Cooperation between EU and China on Emission Trading
- Duration
-
-
- Funding
-
European Commission, Directorate-General for International Cooperation and Development, International
Africa
Complex use conflicts such as those arising around the management of water resources require the coordination and cooperation of public authorities and stakeholders across very different thematic areas and geographic scales. The goal of STEER is to explore innovative... Read more
ProjectFP 7Land and Ecosystem Degradation and Desertification: Assessing the Fit of Responses (LEDDRA)
The Ecologic Institute is a part of LEDDRA consortium. Launched in April 2010, the project will add new and will refine existing scientific and policy-relevant knowledge, especially within a cross-national context in the perspective of elaborating scientifically sound... Read more
Land and Ecosystem Degradation and Desertification: Assessing the Fit of Responses (LEDDRA)
- Duration
-
-
- Funding
-
European Commission, Directorate-General Research (DG Research), International