Nature recreation – towards sustainable development of ecosystem services Erasmus Project

Project Title

Nature recreation – towards sustainable development of ecosystem services

Project Key Action

This project related with these key action: Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices

Project Action Type

This project related with this action type : Strategic Partnerships for higher education

Project Call Year

This project’s Call Year is 2016

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: New innovative curricula/educational methods/development of training courses; Natural sciences; International cooperation, international relations, development cooperation

Project Summary

The need for the project was defined by the requirements of the labour market stating lack of professionals in nature recreation sector. Therefore Daugavpils University (DU) together with Siauliai University (SU) have worked out joint international interdisciplinary master degree study programme “Nature Recreation” to be implemented in cooperation with University of Cordoba (Spain). The essence of the project is to provide knowledge about sustainable use of natural systems to give a sense for human recreation in well-known nature. Nowadays it is vital to understand how to employ nature for public health improvement without the damage of nature balance.
The overall objective of the project is to strengthen sustainable development of ecosystem services through joint study and training activities in nature recreation field. Specific objectives of the project are:- To advance professional skills of students, environment specialists etc. in compliance with labour market demands;- To develop specific study materials (adapted for Latvia, Lithuania and Spain) for improvement of study process and for the benefit of local, regional, national and international specialists.
Main activities:
1) four five-days training courses /practical workshops on such topics as nature recreation, rural tourism and ecosystem services, etc.;
2) development of interdisciplinary study materials, joint research and manual;
3) final conference, which aims to disseminate the results of the project to a wider public on different levels.
The results and impact achieved by the implementation of the project Net4Nat include:
• Sustainable ecosystem services strengthened through joint study and training activities in nature recreation field.
• Multicultural environment for students created ensuring greater understanding to cultural diversity;
• Students trained to do ethical and socially responsible choices for independent research to creatively improve accessibility of nature for human recreation;
• Created specific methodologies – study materials (adapted for Latvia, Lithuania and Spain and available for use on internet for HEIs in other countries) enabling the diversification of the labour market and youth integration into it, especially in rural areas;
• Manual on Nature Recreation developed for the benefit of students, teachers, nature and environment specialists, local/district municipalities etc. and disseminated to interested parties via internet resources and other media.
• Increased competence of foreign languages of participants – students, teachers and academic staff of HEIs.
• Greater use of interdisciplinary thinking within partner and other HEIs due to the teacher friendly and student-friendly interactive character of the study materials;
• 3 nature trails elaborated for DU study and research centre “Ilgas” within joint research activities. This is situated in protected area and is considered to be exclusive territory in terms of nature and biodiversity. The first 3 nature trails elaborated within the project is the starting point for future development of similar actions after the project ends.

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 120125 Eur

Project Coordinator

DAUGAVPILS UNIVERSITATE & Country: LV

Project Partners

• SIAULIU UNIVERSITETAS
• UNIVERSIDAD DE CORDOBA