In the period between April and July, one of the BUFFER+ partners, Marburg University in Germany, offered a students’ seminar on the topics of the BUFFER+ project.
The seminar's objective was to develop and analyze development strategies, stakeholder networks, and governance structures for various peatlands in Northwestern Europe as case studies. Geography students from Marburg University generated data on the complexities of peatland management and the potential pathways for sustainable development through qualitative interviews with the BUFFER+ partners and stakeholders.
Partners and stakeholders who were interviewed: Natuurpunt, Province of West-Flanders, Flemish Land Agency, Farmer’s Association West-Flanders, Water management West-Flanders, Province of Groningen, Farmer’s Association Groningen, Association of Chambers of Agriculture of the Atlantic Arc, Chamber of Agriculture of Pays de la Loire, Brière Regional Nature Park, Nature Conservation Center Vechta, Mission to Marsh (wetland protection), Gramoflor (substrate manufacturer).
Problems between stakeholders and existing bottlenecks in the BUFFER+ regions were identified in particular. Special focus was on the Netherlands, Belgium, France and Germany. Partners from the regions explained their concepts and approaches for rewetting, restoring and preserving peatlands in the individual areas. External stakeholders, such as organizations searching for peat substitutes, also provided insights into their work and challenges.
Students enhanced their methodological and analytic skills by collecting and processing these data and provided their outcomes to the BUFFER+ consortium. The outcomes will be used for the stakeholder analyses, an activity of work package 3, which focuses on improving governance models in peatland areas. Students had the opportunity to expand their knowledge by talking to Buffer+ partners. Therefore, the seminar also worked as an inspiration event for students.