We are a group of institutions, organizations and individuals who believe that the valorization of biocultural diversity is a relevant strategy to promote sustainable, inclusive, competitive and resilient territorial dynamics.

Driven by a long-term objective of empowering rural populations with fewer opportunities, we share our know-how and our networks in Latin America, Europe, Africa and other regions of the world.

• We promote and accompany research processes applied to the promotion and valorization of natural and cultural resources, local food heritage and gastronomy, knowledge, identities and other tangible and intangible expressions of culture and biodiversity.
• We generate new knowledge, systematize and disseminate best practices focused on the conservation and enhancement of biocultural diversity, agroecological management of natural resources, management of important global or national agricultural heritage systems and strategies for resilience to climate change at the territorial level.
• We carry out education and training activities, promoting systematic capacity building processes aimed at territorial governance and innovative management of biocultural heritage.
• We encourage the strengthening of the territorial business network and public/private coalitions that help maximize the comparative and competitive advantages offered by biocultural diversity.
• We position the issue on the public agenda to expand its scope of action and impact, using various means to strengthen alliances and networks, and impact-oriented communication.

Together – bringing together different backgrounds and skills forged over many years of experience – we offer:

• a critical mass of experiences in various regions of the world (strategies and initiatives for the concrete valorization of biocultural heritage; territorial laboratories; laboratories and schools of creative economy; bastions, food communities, convivium, funds for watershed management, among others) where it is possible to appreciate – in a concrete way – the progress and challenges of biocultural territorial development processes;
• a range of learning systems that recognize and value traditional knowledge, introduce innovations, mobilize local knowledge and talents, in articulation with formal knowledge systems (training courses; diploma courses; taste laboratories; internships and guided exchange programs; learning tours; multi-actor workshops; and other educational activities), facilitating access to populations with fewer opportunities, especially family farmers and peasants, indigenous peoples, Afro-descendants, women and youth.
• a range of validated tools (consensual territorial agendas; cataloging and mapping of assets, actors and undertakings; local innovation contests; product promotion, basket of quality local goods and services, territorial brands; corporate territorial responsibility; technological innovation developed by young people, among others);
• the installed capacity to design and evaluate projects, conduct research and distill them – together with pragmatic experiences – into instruments for action and spaces for visibility, positioning and political advocacy (fairs and exhibitions; forums; multimedia products; publications; seminars and others).

The Biocultural Diversity and Territories Platform implements agreements and collaboration agreements, services, coordination and strategic alliances around specific initiatives with:

rural communities; organizations of producers and small entrepreneurs; territorial networks; private companies; public institutions and programs; national and subnational governments; universities and research centers; training schools; international cooperation agencies; NGOs and foundations; citizens’ movements.