Workshop in Boticas explores community participation in land management
On May 15, 2025, WWF Portugal hosted the second RurALL workshop in Boticas under Work Package 11 (WP11), focused on community-based participation practices. Building on the outcomes of the previous session (WP6), this workshop addressed the growing interest of local communities in replicating successful co-management models for abandoned and common lands. These models have already demonstrated that productive economic activities can coexist with nature protection, creating a sustainable balance for rural territories.
The event gathered 26 participants, representing rural communities from Boticas, to work collaboratively on the development of a co-management plan. Participants were divided into small groups, each facilitated by a moderator, and tasked with elaborating different sections of the plan. The plan’s structure covered the characterization of the area, objectives, interventions, governance, monitoring and funding sources.
The identified territory consists mainly of pine forest (60%) and scrubland (40%), with areas of uncultivated rocky terrain. A key concern raised was the perception of state abandonment of these lands. The co-management plan established a 20-year vision with clear objectives:
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Environmental: thinning, pruning, cleaning, and other interventions to maintain forest health, prevent wildfires, and support biodiversity
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Social: promoting collective engagement
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Cultural: retaining people in the community and preserving traditions
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Economic: generating employment and income
Proposed interventions include grazing, sustainable forestry practices and pursuing FSC-type certification. Governance mechanisms will rely on the Assembly of Compartes, while monitoring will combine legal reporting, grazing plans, and evaluations by external entities. Funding sources are expected to include EU programs, forest production revenues, and renewable energy generation.
In the second part of the workshop, participants explored communication tools and storytelling techniques, responding to a need highlighted in the previous session. Through practical exercises, they learned how to tailor their messages to different audiences, strengthening their capacity to influence decision-making and share success stories.
This workshop reaffirmed the potential of local-led conservation initiatives to achieve environmental protection while fostering community cohesion. It also offered participants a first look at storytelling approaches that will be further explored in the upcoming WP19 activities.
