Accepted Paper
Short Abstract
How do we examine the accessibility of nature conservation activities for people with a migrant background? In ‘EcoUnity’, people with a migrant background explore barriers and obstacles to engagement and, together with civil society organizations, test open opportunities for participation.
Abstract
How can we increase understanding of diversity and participation through participatory research? The project “EcoUnity: Nature Conservation for All – Exploring Inclusive Participation with Citizen Science” (Jan 2025 – Dec 2026) uses a citizen science approach to investigate the accessibility of nature conservation engagement for people with a migration background.
Citizen Scientists with various migration backgrounds interview people who are interested in nature conservation but have not yet become involved, with the aim of identifying potential barriers and obstacles that make voluntary engagement difficult or prevent it altogether. The co-researchers are actively involved in all phases of the project through research workshops and individual exchange formats.
The project is being carried out as part of a science-practice partnership between the Museum of Natural History Berlin and Yeşil Çember. The latter civil society organisation is notable for its intercultural mobilisation of people in support of ecological change. In addition to joint research design, the collaboration includes the joint planning and implementation of practical nature conservation measures with nature conservation organisations and migrant organisations.
This contribution presents the results of this interview study and critically reflects on the implementation of the co-creative research process, including the collaboration with the abovementioned civil society organizations. In addition, insights from the practical project phase are provided, in which, in collaboration with the citizen scientists and based on the study results, different diversity-sensitive approaches to nature conservation measures are being developed and tested.
How to reach the "hard-to-reach."