The Government of the Azores, through the Regional Fund for Science and Technology (FRCT), submitted to the European Commission the final implementation report of the project "NetBiome-CSA: Strengthening European research cooperation for smart and sustainable management of tropical and subtropical biodiversity in outermost regions and overseas countries and territories."
 
"For 36 months, this initiative carried out an ambitious work plan for the creation of European synergies and the development of joint initiatives in the area of biodiversity in the various territories, regions and countries involved," said the President of the Regional Fund for Science and Technology.
 
Nélson Simões stressed that "NetBiome-CSA" included 13 European partners that "brought a unique combination of geographic representation and institutional diversity." The government official added that it is also "a reference of good practices in cooperation in international projects" as well as "a clear indicator of the skills the Regional Government has acquired in the management of international consortia, which has been recognised by partners and by the European Commission itself."
 
Coordinated by FRCT, the project was funded by the 7th Framework Programme of the European Union for Research and Innovation, with an overall budget of one million Euros.
 
As for the results produced, it important to mention the political recommendations submitted to the European Commission for the development of a more coherent space planning that takes into account ecological and social aspects. In addition, the initiative also contributed to the enforcement of international legislation to regional and national contexts, the mapping of ecological limits for mining activities and the establishment of specific biodiversity indicators for outermost and overseas regions.
 
Nelson Simões noted that strengthening of cooperation and training in the knowledge and management of biodiversity in outermost regions and overseas countries and territories in order to achieve a more sustainable development. According to him, this "is an important contribution to ground political decisions on scientific technical knowledge so that they can meet the demanding challenges we face in this area.”
 
Moreover, the government official highlighted the management model of this project that "allowed the initiative to rely on the close collaboration of other governmental departments and the monitoring of researchers of the University of the Azores, consolidating the practice of involvement of various entities in the search for solutions to benefit people and the environment."
 
FRCT and the other project partners are now considering the best way to continue the established international network, particularly with regard to the implementation of the project results and its evolution into other European financing projects.