Chair in Water, Nature and Welfare

The inter-university Chair in Water, Nature and Welfare, promoted jointly by Sant Hilari Sacalm Town Council, UVic-UCC and the University of Girona (UdG), focuses on territorial development through the interaction of social agents and universities in the fields in which these institutions can contribute their expertise.

Objectives

The Chair in Water, Nature and Welfare aims to generate, disseminate and transfer knowledge on the natural heritage of the Guilleries area, to help to develop a model of sustainable land management for this natural space. The work is focused on natural heritage; mainly in the areas of water, land and biodiversity.

Actions

Promotion of research and knowledge transfer to improve land management

• Promotion of the study of natural and heritage values of the Guilleries area by supporting, encouraging and stimulating projects that address the subjects of water, land and biodiversity.
• Identification of specific needs in the social and economic sectors of the Guilleries area, to undertake research and knowledge transfer projects that could be of use to these sectors.
• Creation of research grants for studies focused on the Guilleries.
• Promotion and support for existing awards and grants through the Chair in Water, Nature and Welfare.
• Assessment of the potential of land stewardship agreements to improve management of the Guilleries.
• Action as a consultative body on the subjects of water, biodiversity and environment.

Dissemination of knowledge: training

• Promotion of training activities on water, land and biodiversity that strengthen the heritage value of the territory. These activities could be at different levels and in a range of formats: formal and informal education, postgraduate programmes and master's degrees, one-off courses and lifelong learning.
• Organisation of dissemination activities and potential publications.
• Action as a forum to promote and improve communication among the various stakeholders in the area.
• Promotion of public participation in water management and conservation.

Promotion and boosting tourism by creating a new brand

• Creation and promotion of the Guilleries brand.
• Boosting the heritage value of the Guilleries area, as a tourist attraction.
• Promotion of resources that enable environmentally-friendly leisure and tourism activities.
• Cooperation and creation of links and synergies with other similar, existing initiatives (e.g. other UVic-UCC or UdG Chairs, consortiums).

Further information on the Chair in Water, Nature and Welfare