Mission and objectivesUpdate
ContextThe BESPIN Regional Trialogue for Europe and Central Asia (ECA), jointly organized by the Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services Network (BES-Net) and the EU-funded RESPIN project, will take place from 19โ21 May 2026 in Skopje, North Macedonia. The Trialogue aims to support countries in the region in coordinating the uptake of biodiversity and climate knowledge, with a particular focus on aligning insights from IPBES and IPCC assessments to inform transformative, integrated action. The ECA region encompasses a wide diversity of ecosystems and socio-ecological contexts, yet faces accelerating pressures from biodiversity loss, ecosystem degradation, and climate change. Scientific evidence from recent IPBES assessments (including the Nexus and Transformative Change Assessments) and the IPCC Sixth Assessment Report highlights that these challenges are deeply interconnected and cannot be addressed through siloed approaches. However, gaps remain in the coherent uptake of this knowledge into national policies, planning processes, and implementation frameworks. The BESPIN ECA Trialogue will convene IPBES and IPCC National Focal Points, policymakers, scientists, practitioners, and Indigenous and local knowledge holders to strengthen scienceโpolicyโpractice interfaces and to co-develop country-level pathways for coordinated uptake of biodiversity and climate knowledge. To support this process, BES-Net is seeking one online volunteer from each country who will contribute with researching essential country-specific background information . Their work will help ensure that the Trialogue is grounded in national realities and informed by existing institutions, initiatives, and policy processes. Responsibilities Conduct a targeted review of the national context related to biodiversity, ecosystem services, and climate change, with particular attention to linkages between IPBES and IPCC-relevant themes. Identify and map key national institutions and stakeholders, including government bodies, research institutions, civil society organizations, and other relevant actors involved in biodiversity and climate policy or practice. Compile and summarize relevant national strategies, policies, reports, projects, and initiatives that relate to biodiversityโclimate synergies (e.g. NBSAPs, NDCs, nature-based solutions, ecosystem-based adaptation). Identify examples of good practices, challenges, and gaps in the coordinated uptake of biodiversity and climate knowledge at national level. Prepare a concise country summary note, following a set template, to support the development of the Trialogue background document and inform the following analytical work. Growth Opportunity This assignment offers a valuable opportunity to: Engage directly with regional and international scienceโpolicy processes related to biodiversity and climate; Build connections with national and regional experts and institutions; Deepen understanding of IPBES and IPCC assessments and their application in real-world policy contexts; Contribute meaningfully to a flagship BES-Net Trialogue focused on transformative, integrated action.
Task DescriptionWe are seeking motivated online volunteers, ideally one per participating country (Albania, Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Greece, Kazakhstan, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia (host country), Serbia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan), to support preparatory research for the BESPIN Europe and Central Asia Regional Trialogue. Volunteers will work closely with Alexandra Postrigan, Partnership Building and Facilitation Specialist (UNDP/BES-Net), to research and synthesize country-level information that will feed into the background documentation and support the work of the consultant once recruited.
Competencies and values
Living conditions and remarks