CATIE strengthens scientific partnerships with Europe for the sustainable management of ecosystems and non-timber forest products

• CATIE researcher Evelyn Chaves shared the results of her internship at the Center for Forest Science and Technology in Catalonia, Spain.

As part of the DecisionES project (Decision Support for the Supply of Ecosystem Services under Global Change), researcher Evelyn Chaves Jaén, from the Environmental Economics and Sustainable Agribusiness Unit at the Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education Center (CATIE), completed a technical internship at the Forest Science and Technology Center of Catalonia (CTFC). 

The work, carried out between September 2 and October 3, 2025, was part of DecisionES Package 4, focused on creating a learning platform on the provision of ecosystem services through communication strategies, knowledge sharing, and capacity building.

During her stay, the researcher collaborated with the Bioeconomy, Health, and Governance Program alongside the CTFC's mycology group and researcher Marta Rovira, exploring opportunities for collaboration in value chains for non-timber forest products such as mushrooms and aromatic and medicinal plants, which are becoming increasingly important in rural development in Central America.

In addition, synergies were explored with the Biosphere Reserve Research and Multifunctional Silvopastoral Management groups, highlighting opportunities for cooperation with the Latin American Model Forest Network, led by CATIE. These collaborations aim to strengthen the governance of natural resources and value chains for products such as honey and aromatic plants in Latin America.

“I also had meetings with the University of Lleida and the Polytechnic University of Madrid, which are part of the DecisionES project, in order to identify areas for joint work, and I visited the Parc de les Olors (Park of Scents) project in Barcelona, which was an enlightening experience,” said Chaves.

The visit also allowed Chaves to reflect on the CTFC's best practices in institutional management, research, and knowledge transfer: "Returning to Solsona was like coming home. I worked there from 2009 to 2013, and I was able to reconnect with colleagues and friends and observe the progress made by the CTFC in its organizational and scientific structure. These experiences are valuable for strengthening our processes at CATIE, especially in applied research and knowledge management," she noted.

As part of the results, two seminars were held at the CTFC during the exchange: one on technology and knowledge transfer, and another on CATIE's experience in promoting governance and sustainability in rural areas of Latin America. In addition, CTFC researchers are expected to participate in the IX Wallace Scientific Conference, to be held March 3-5, 2026, in Turrialba, Costa Rica. This event seeks to promote joint research, scientific publication, and knowledge transfer between regions, under the “One Health” approach.

The exchange between CATIE and CTFC also opens up opportunities for the development of joint projects focused on territorial governance, forest bioeconomy, and resilience to climate change. This experience reinforces the need for more horizontal and transformative scientific cooperation, in which Latin America actively participates not only as a recipient but also as a strategic partner in the generation and application of knowledge.

“In our region, we work directly with communities and producers, which requires us to be very efficient in technology transfer and training. This practical and participatory approach adds great value to international partnerships,” said Chaves.

Finally, Chaves took advantage of her stay in Europe to participate in the Apimondia 2025 World Congress, held in Copenhagen, Denmark, where she established contact with the Latin American and Caribbean Coordinator of Small Fair Trade Producers (CLAC) to promote training and business strengthening for beekeeping cooperatives in the region and other Latin American researchers who are doing outstanding work in this field.