Carmen Gimeno Suñer

Who We Are We are a non-profit organization dedicated to biodiversity conservation, rural development, and forestry bioeconomy, among others. Our work focuses on education, training, awareness-raising, and direct engagement with communities to promote sustainable practices and environmental responsibility. We have extensive experience participating in multi-actor projects, collaborating with universities, public institutions, NGOs, and private entities to develop innovative solutions in rural sustainability, environmental conservation, and green skills for youth. Our Work One of our key initiatives is Rural Labscape, a Living Lab that promotes cooperation between citizens and scientific institutions through territorial planning and sustainable land management. This project has implemented participatory solutions for bioeconomy, agroforestry resilience, and rural entrepreneurship, including a rural coworking space and experimental fieldwork focused on biodiversity and sustainable agricultural practices. It also features green education programs to strengthen sustainable rural economies. Another notable project is ULGES, a pilot initiative addressing rural demographic challenges and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This project has launched initiatives such as a social garden, sustainable rural tourism strategies, school revitalization, and experimental forest plots. Through participatory approaches, it engages local residents to co-create solutions for rural sustainability, providing a replicable model for other communities facing similar challenges. At the international level, we have contributed to Sustainable NGOs, a project focused on enhancing environmental awareness and green competencies in the youth sector. This initiative provides training modules on climate change and ecological footprint, a carbon footprint tool for organizations, and operational guidelines for sustainable practices. It fosters cross-sector collaboration, involving young people, municipal youth departments, and schools to drive a greener and more responsible organizational culture. Our Impact Through these initiatives, we have strengthened our ability to coordinate multi-stakeholder collaborations, implement sustainable solutions, and develop replicable models that can be adapted to other regions. Our deep connection with rural territories and our multidisciplinary expertise make us an effective bridge between institutional partners and local communities, ensuring that sustainability efforts align with real-world needs.