Following the successful Summer Universities organized jointly by MIO-ECSDE and the UNESCO Regional Bureau for Science and Culture in Europe for a number of years, and since the designation of the Asterousia BR, also the Region of Crete (Heraklion Development Agency) and the Local Management Committee of Asterousia, this year the event will take place once again in Asterousia and focuses on the theme “Integrated Natural and Cultural Heritage-based approaches for Biosphere Reserves and other Designated Sites in the Mediterranean“. 

The Asterousia Hybrid University is split n two phases, with:

• Phase A taking place face-to-face for up to 25 international and local participants, in Asterousia BR, between 28 October (arrivals), and 1st November 2025 (departures).
• Phase B (tbc) taking place online, in January 2026.

It is mandatory for that are selected to participate in Phase A, to follow also Phase B.

2025 Focus Theme

The main theme this year will be the mutual support of Natural and Cultural Heritage in BRs, within the context of Sustainable Development. Specific sub-topics to be covered through the dedicated lectures, workshops and field-visits are:

• Good practices in BRs and other sites in protecting both natural and cultural heritage
• Traditional governance systems integrated with modern BR management approaches
• Freshwater management combining traditional harvesting techniques with modern non-conventional water resources
• Degraded Habitat Restoration e.g. reforestation, wetland restoration, and artificial sea reefs to enhance marine biodiversity
• Circular economy in agriculture: the case of wool
• How special forms of tourism (e.g. agro-, star-watching-, religion-, fishing-related etc) offer unique experiences and contribute to mild local sustainable development
• Intangible heritage documentation and transmission (traditional songs, stories, practices related to natural resources and landscapes)
• The role of local products within the BR: A win-win for producers and visitors.
• Community engagement through traditional knowledge holders, youth, and citizen science approaches, and ESD bridging past and present.

Organisers

The main organisers & sponsors of the 2025 Asterousia University are:

• Region of Crete (Link)
• Heraklion Development Agency (Link)
• UNESCO Regional Bureau for Science and Culture in Europe (Link)
• Local Management Committee of Asterousia
• UNESCO Chair and Network on Sustainable Development Management and Education at the University of Athens (UoA)
• The Greek National Committee of the MAB/UNESCO Programme
• Mediterranean Information Office for Environment, Culture and Sustainable Development (MIO-ECSDE) (Link) through the MEdIES initiative (Link)

Other contributors: The Asterousia University will bring together a series of actors within and around the Asterousia BR, including:

• The Mediterranean Committee on ESD (MCESD)
• Association for the Protection of Asterousia
• Agricultural School of Messara
• Agricultural Cooperative of Olive Producers of Asterousia – FAMELIA
• Archaeological Museum of Messara
• Cultural Association of Charakas Village
• Natural History Museum of Crete
• HCMR Hellenic Centre for Marine Research
• Local Associations of professionals & women 

Draft daily agenda

This years’ University approaches the integrated management of the combined natural and cultural heritage of the BR with emphasis on outcomes of the Hangzhou Strategic Action Plan (2026-2035) and particularly on the farming, traditional and modern production and local products and sustainable tourism, as well as to potential solutions in transforming byproducts currently wasted into resources. The relevant lifelong ESD extending beyond classrooms and addressing also productive sectors and the needed frameworks and methods for effectively engaging the local community will be also included in the event.

The outline of the 3-day event is presented below: Day 1 will focus on management approaches of Sustainable Development and Heritage, Day 2 on Sustainable Farming and Day 3 on Education and Circular economy. Each day will combine key lectures and presentations, workshops and field visits.