REGO’s research activities can be divided into four major work packages:

  • First, the relevant international scientific literature is reviewed to compile existing knowledge on governance in biosphere reserves. Building on this, a theoretical analytical framework is developed that allows for an examination of how well-suited various governance models are to reconciling nature conservation and sustainable development while involving local stakeholders.
  • Second, a comparative case study will be conducted involving all four Austrian biosphere parks and Engiadina Val Müstair in Switzerland to examine how governance is organized and implemented in these areas. Through document analysis, expert interviews, and an analysis of the legal framework, strengths, weaknesses, and current challenges will be identified.
  • Building on the first two steps, a “co-creation” workshop will be held with decision-makers from all case-study biosphere reserves. The workshop will enable the administrative bodies of the biosphere reserves to learn from one another and to develop recommendations for decision-makers in the UNESCO MAB Program and in the MAB National Committees in Austria and Switzerland.
  • Finally, key findings will be put into practice as part of two “governance experiments” in the Großes Walsertal and Engiadina Val Müstair Biosphere Reserves. Here, administrative bodies are working together with researchers to develop new governance models to address current challenges. These models will be evaluated and made available to other biosphere reserves as well.

In addition to these four core research work packages, REGO also carries out various other activities to promote collaboration and exchange between researchers and societal stakeholders and to disseminate the project’s findings. An important part of this is the oversight of the project by a transdisciplinary steering group composed of representatives from all Austrian biosphere reserves, the Austrian MAB Youth Representative, and other stakeholders. This group evaluates the project and ensures that the results are useful both for the scientific community and for practical applications.