NIBIO, Station Scientifique des Hautes Fagnes – Le Mont-Rigi, Belgium

The training school will gather WG2 members working with genetic indicator assessments in their countries. During 2025, WG2 has initiated assessments of CBD indicators (Headline indicator A.4 and Complementary Indicator A.CY.22) in

European Countries to support the reporting of indicator values of the Monitoring Framework of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (Decision CBD/COP/DEC/16/31) following the work of Mastretta-Yanes & da Silva et al (2024; https://doi.org/10.1111/ele.14461) and using tools developed for that study (that will be further developed during GENOA work). We have run a series of webinars to introduce the background, theory of indicators and the tools developed for the Mastretta-Yanes & da Silva et al study that will continue through July 2025.

The aim of the training school is to gather leaders of the countries that will participate in the work to do hands on indicator assessments using data gathered by the country teams up until August under the leadership of three experts (GENOA members). Instructions for the work process is available in the WG2 google drive folders: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Covzuu0YbvUflLiG6Ibi2y7LIF7Cz3LC
General introduction to WG2: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1p1mahfVGOTORiMDhmsZ5A21FsgH_DwzF

Activities will include training to use the Kobo-form to submit data on populations of species to allow indicator assessments. This will include information and training associated with how to identify populations and their sizes and maintenance over time.

A detailed agenda will be provided before the training schools, and other administrative details will be provided to the selected participants.

Trainers:

Linda Laikre, Stockholm University – WG2 leader

Alicia Mastretta-Yanes, Royal Botanic Gardens Kew

Joachim MERGEAY, Research Institute for Nature and Forest WG 2 co-leader

Linda Laikre is a professor of population genetics at Stockholm University, Sweden. Her research focuses on genetic monitoring, conservation genetics, and integrating genetic diversity into national and international biodiversity policy.

Alicia Mastretta-Yanes is a senior research leader at the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, United Kingdom. She leads work on how genetic diversity can be included in Nature-based solutions, including developing and implementing genetic diversity indicators.

Joachim Mergeay is a senior scientist at the Research Institute for Nature and Forest (INBO), Belgium. His work bridges evolutionary ecology and applied conservation, with emphasis on using genetic data to inform biodiversity management and policy.

Criteria for selecting participants will be based on the following criteria:
1. Member of a country team, ensuring geographical diversity
2. Active participation in introductory webinars
3. Gender balance
4. Young researchers and innovators included

5. Practitioners included.

The aim is to have at least one person per country – if that criteria are met, or certain countries cannot attend, then more than one person can attend. The number of participants will depend on the allocated budget. Official invitations will be sent soon after the selection procedure is completed.

Currently, 19 countries have signed up for the project with 1- 5 persons per team https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1aCD0NnjDt6O4enUF2yHIhq77odkuEtu9A0_vyh7oi4k/edit?gid=634359667#gid=634359667

Send the application form by July 6, 2025 to the review committee. (Download the form from here)

Joachim Mergeay joachim.mergeay@inbo.be, Linda Laikre linda.laikre@popgen.su.se, Alicia Mastretta-Yanes a.mastrettayanes@kew.org, Isa-Rita Ruso russoim@cardiff.ac.uk, Ancuta Fedorca coancutza@yahoo.com.

The Venue
Field Station Scientifique de Hautes Fagnes – Le Mont-Rigi

137, rue de Botrange
B-4950 Robertville – Waimes

Belgium

The housing is lodging with two persons per bedroom. Participants need to provide their own bath towels.

There is at least one room free in a nearby hotel, and two more are available 24 to 26/8 (not until 27/8, unfortunately). If you don’t feel comfortable sharing a room, please contact Joachim Mergeay for details, and we’ll figure something out.