The OCHER project investigates the relation between in-context historical forms of collective management of lands and resources and their current environmental and landscape value, triggering a reflection on the accessibility rights to natural resources for future generations. Following the Habitats Directive, whose aim is to promote natural habitats taking account of local requirements, 8 sites in 4 different European countries, selected from the Natura 2000 list, are chosen as case studies in a comparative perspective. The research addresses different kinds of “institutions for collective action”, at different scales in rural areas. Here conservation and sustainable use of the environment are centred on "people working with nature" and minimal forms of organisation are mainly households. Therefore, a combined historical, anthropological and juridical approach is needed to achieve: • a better understanding of the long-term effects and resilience of resource use in the environment; • a deeper reflection on the specificity of collective subjects and on the mechanisms of collective legal actions and institutions. OCHER will also address the issue published by the Council of Europe in “Protecting future generations trough commons”, which features the project’s objective outlines with preeminent questions such as: • What do we inherit from past generations from a cultural and environmental point of view? • What is at stake in the environmental issues of the present? • What can collective institutions teach us from an environmental perspective? OCHER aims to contribute, with a multidisciplinary research, to the reflection on a new environmental right, that goes beyond the dichotomy man/nature, trying to understand the historical forms of a non-destructive, nor extractive, relation of interdependence in social and ecological systems. It also addresses the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and intends to take action by means of its research outcomes

Wood is recognized as an attractive alternative to several traditional building solutions, and it is often called a “building material of the 21st century” since it can efficiently sequester carbon, balancing emissions from other materials. As a biological material, wood is sensitive to environmental conditions and microorganisms; therefore, it requires protective measures to extend its service life in outdoor applications. Despite the current demand for improvement of wood performance and considering technologies with low environmental impact, there is limited research on treatments and formulations that use green alternatives and improve critical properties simultaneously. The ambition of the MULTI-WOOD project is to provide multi-functional treatments to entirely protect wood from nano- to microscale using alternative sources of chemicals generated during the lignocellulosic bioconversion and/or from the pulp and paper industries. The project aims to develop innovative strategies for the improvement of four key wood properties: hygroscopicity, resistance against fire, UV, and biotic factors based on alternative, recently underutilized bio-based formulations. Proposed methodology and treatments target reduction in the toxicity of the modification processes, extend service life, elongate maintenance cycles, and thus, lower the negative impact on the environment. The MULTI-WOOD project will stimulate innovation and knowledge transfer between the host and ER by building a solid research and industrial network, organizing events, mentoring young researchers and managing projects, the ER will gain research and scientific skills and acquire a new set of competencies to reach professional maturity and independence after the fellowship.

Biofilms, an assemblage of surface-associated microbial cells that is enclosed in an extracellular polymeric substance matrix, are recognised as one of the most stable biological systems on earth. The beneficial use of biofilms for protection is nearly unexplored since up-to-date research is focused on the prevention of its formation. In the ARCHI-SKIN project, we will explore the design principles underlying fungal biofilm to bridge the knowledge gap on the chemistry-structure-properties of the biological systems’ interface. Mechanisms of biofilm formation, its structure, function, quorum sensing, and performance will be understood at multiple scales following the best practices of materiomics. It will be achieved by advancing state-of-the-art in-situ laboratory routines and use the latest mathware solutions in combination with the design-build-test-learn approach for the experimental work. In the following step, we will develop a bioactive protective coating system working in conjunction with nature. We will benefit from the synergic strength of living fungal cells, bio-based ingredients, and bioinspired concepts for materials protection. Advanced in-silico methods will be used for the integration of active ingredients and modelling of optimal and long-lasting nutrient sources compatible with the enzymatic profile of selected fungal strains. We will design and create technically applicable, controlled, and optimized biofilm built by the yeast-like ubiquitous and widespread oligotroph fungus, Aureobasidium pullulans, that will effectively protect the surfaces of biomaterials, concrete, plastics, and metals, among others, assuring optimal service life performance and remarkable functionalities including self-healing and bioremediation. Our pioneering approach for materials protection will push the boundaries of traditional materials concepts toward the development of engineered living materials capable to interact, adapt, and respond to environmental changes.

"<< Objectives >>Suicide is a major public health problem globally. The project ""Saving Lives: Suicide and Survivors"" aims to innovate education and vocational training in suicidology in order to promote specialist skills in the clinical and scientific research fields.The project adopts an interdisciplinary multilevel approach, in order to involve young students and experienced professionals and, by working together, contribute to the fight against the associated with suicide stigma.<< Implementation >>The ""Saving Lives"" strategy aims to the implementation and coordination of educational innovation activities deployed simultaneously between the two partner organizations. Specifically, the project provides for a continuous training path through structured study sessions, cycles of scientific and open to citizenship events, a learning mobility plan and the exchange of good practices between two partner organizations.<< Results >>""Saving Lives"" aims to broaden the study and applicability of innovative approaches, methods and tools in the training field on the subject of suicide, in line with the needs of Erasmus + for VET. De Leo Fund will extend its range of research and action to suicide prevention (e.g. Italian validation of STARS, implementation of crisis services), while the Primorska University will deepen the theme of survivors, elaborating specific research lines and import of dedicated services."

Buildings are an essential part of human life, providing shelter, spaces for work, and hubs for community activities. However, conventional construction methods have a big negative impact on the environment. To achieve sustainability, alternative approaches using natural and environmentally friendly materials, such as wood, are being employed. Regenerative sustainability takes this a step further, not only by minimizing harm but also by creating a net positive impact on both the environment and the community. Engineered living materials (ELMs) represent an innovative frontier in realizing regenerative sustainability. The aim of PRO-TECTURE project is to develop more resilient and efficient ELMs by preconditioning living fungal cells (biofilm used as ELM) with abiotic stress. Previous research has shown that exposure to mild stress can trigger adaptive responses, preconditioning biological systems to be more resilient to future stressors. The PRO-TECTURE project will use stress preconditioning to enhance the resilience of ELMs, investigating the existence and duration of stress memory, as well as intraspecies stress communication through secreted molecules. Furthermore, given the ER’s background in biomedicine, the project will explore the possibility of interkingdom stress communication between pre-stressed fungi and human cells. By integrating ELMs into building practices, it is anticipated that these structures will not only minimize negative environmental impacts but also actively contribute to environmental restoration and enhance human well-being and health in the built environment. The PRO-TECTURE aims to stimulate innovation and facilitate knowledge transfer between the host and the ER by establishing a robust research network, organizing events, mentoring young researchers, and managing projects. Through this fellowship, the ER will gain advanced research and scientific skills, acquiring new competencies to achieve professional maturity and independence.