SamBio Project description
The loss of biodiversity is one of the greatest threats to our future. Even in Sweden, with a relatively low human population, there is a depletion of biodiversity. The SamBio project aimed to build and disseminate knowledge about why biodiversity is important and to generate a commitment to biodiversity in Västra Götaland. The project was directed towards children and youth (schools and teachers) and the business sector. The project was a collaboration between researchers at the University of Gothenburg and several public actors in the region (museums, aquariums, zoos, botanical gardens, and science centres).
Overview and aims
The project, was coordinated by the Gothenburg Global Biodiversity Centre (GGBC) at the University of Gothenburg, aimed to build and disseminate knowledge about biodiversity and create engagement for biodiversity in Västra Götaland to support the implementation of the regional development strategy. The target audiences for the project were children and youth (including schools/teachers), and the businesses in Västra Götaland.
The project was based on collaboration among 22 partner organisations in Västra Götaland, including museums, aquariums, zoos, botanical gardens, science centres, and researchers from various institutions at the University of Gothenburg.
One part of the project aimed to make biodiversity an accessible concept, aspiring to provide schoolchildren and teachers with current and relevant information, and fun activities related to biodiversity, regardless of where they are in Västra Götaland. The second part of the project focused on increased collaboration, knowledge sharing, and capacity building with a focus on the business sector.
The overall purpose of the project was to strengthen existing connections and create new collaborations to increase understanding of what biodiversity is, why it is important, and what we can do in the short and long-term to preserve it.
The long-term aim of the project was to enhance public understanding of biodiversity-related issues in the Västra Götaland region. Additionally, it sort to facilitate knowledgeable decision-makers in the business sector in the coming years, ultimately leading to a sustained positive impact on biodiversity in line with the UN global sustainability goals.
Funding
The project was led by the Gothenburg Global Biodiversity Centre (GGBC) at the Department of Biology and Environmental Sciences at the University of Gothenburg. The project, titled "SamBio: Collaboration for Biodiversity - Knowledge, Emotion, Action," was funded from 2023 to 2025 by Region Västra Götaland.
Links to partner organisations:
- Balthazar Science Center (Skövde)
- Centrum för Hav och Samhälle, Göteborgs universitet
- Dalénium Science Center (Stenstorp)
- Företagsekonomiska institutionen, Göteborgs universitet
- Göteborgs botaniska trädgård
- Göteborgs naturhistoriska museum
- Havets Hus
- Herbarium GB, Göteborgs universitet
- Innovatum Science Center (Trollhättan)
- Institutionen för Biologi och Miljövetenskap, Göteborgs universitet
- Institutionen för Ekonomi och Samhälle, Göteborgs universitet
- Institutionen för Geovetenskaper, Göteborgs universitet
- Institutionen för Marina vetenskaper, Göteborgs universitet
- IVL - Svenska Miljöinstitutet
- Naturbruksförvaltningen
- Navet Science Center (Borås)
- Nordens Ark
- Sjöfartsmuseet Akvariet
- Slottsskogens djurpark
- Teknikens ekonomi och organisation, Chalmers tekniska högskola
- Universeum
- Västkuststiftelsen