Reservas da Biosfera de Portugal
Reservas da Biosfera de Portugal is a digital territorial platform that showcases Portugal's 13 UNESCO Biosphere Reserves, promoting their natural heritage, communities and sustainable governance. Funded by EEA Grants, it brings together universities, research institutes and civil society to strengthen conservation and community resilience.
Reservas da Biosfera de Portugal is a project dedicated to valuing and promoting the country's UNESCO Biosphere Reserves — currently 13 sites, including the recently recognised Serra da Estrela — spanning three biogeographic regions: Mediterranean, Atlantic and Macaronesia. These territories represent a remarkable diversity of ecosystems, from the islands of Macaronesia and the Atlantic Ocean to the wetlands of the Tagus, riverine environments, mountain ranges and valleys of the north, and the cereal-growing plains of the Alentejo.
The project, titled "Reservas da Biosfera, Territórios Sustentáveis, Comunidades Resilientes", is built on the environmental quality of these territories and the dedication of the local communities and entities responsible for managing them. It works closely with these communities to promote heritage assets and ecosystem services, while investing in skills development, innovative communication strategies and a demanding, collaborative governance model.
The initiative brings together a multidisciplinary team from the Universities of Coimbra and NOVA Lisbon, the Instituto Pedro Nunes, the Ordem dos Biólogos and KEEP – Associação para a Paz, as Pessoas e o Planeta, with Quaternaire Portugal as the promoting entity. It is funded by the EEA Grants 2014–2021 programme.
Through its digital platform, the project shares stories, data and educational content — including podcasts, events and a biennial Festival das Reservas da Biosfera — connecting citizens with the natural and cultural richness of these UNESCO-designated territories. In 2026, the platform received international recognition, winning the UNESCO HIST Award on Sustainable Development for its innovative digital governance model.
Our Goal
To value and promote Portugal's UNESCO Biosphere Reserves by strengthening the territories and communities within them, enhancing heritage assets and ecosystem services, and reinforcing local skills and governance models.
Our Wishes
The project seeks continued collaboration with local communities, institutions and partners to strengthen the governance and communication of Portugal's biosphere reserves.
