Objective 1: Map existing training initiatives and programs with respect to facilitation/mediation of environmental conflict. Objective 2: Enrich the training practices of each partner through sharing good practices. Objective 3: Co-create some new training approach with the elements from the different curricula that can be useful for the local contexts. Objective 4: Use lessons learnt from accumulating experience and partner interaction to enrich current theory and offer new insights. Objective 5: Disseminate best practice and theory developments/insights for facilitation/mediation of environmental conflicts to broader audiences addressing such conflicts in everyday life context.
Social struggles over how the environment is managed and conserved are unfolding in new directions. In this scenario, an adequate mediation of environmental conflicts is a key for: avoiding conflict escalation and social polarization; improving engagement, participation and compliance with environmental policy.The need of environmental mediation for dispute resolution in the European context has been recognized in the last decade. Because of that, there are different needs the project has addressed: 1.Stakeholders involved in these conflicts usually lack knowledge and abilities (listening skills, negotiation tools, etc.) to deal with them, and there is a lack of awareness on the potentials of facilitation for mitigating conflicts;2.There is also a lack of the environmental perspective in facilitation trainings that already exists. Many organizations of mediators are currently not properly trained in addressing environmental conflicts, lacking knowledge of the empirical approaches that are specific to these mediation practices; 3.Since this is an emerging field, trainings and practices need to be enriched. There is a need within the professionals to share methods and tools. There is also a lack of joint vision at the European level