The ESMERALDA project aims at supporting European countries in fulfilling their duties in the frame of the EU Biodiversity Strategy Target 2 Action 5 “Mapping and Assessment of Ecosystems and their Services” (MAES). The project will deliver a “flexible methodology” based on a tiered approach for mapping and assessment of ecosystem services (ES), as well as for the integration of different value dimensions.

The objectives of ESMERALDA Workshop VIII in Eger is to test the final version of the flexible methodology in policy- and decision-making in real-world case studies. It aims to ensure a larger variety of policy- and decision-making processes, including businesses and citizens, and geographical contexts.

The participants will have the opportunity to receive an update on the final version of the ESMERALDA flexible methodology, including the structure of the “Final Guidance Documentation”, followed by a keynote speech on “Perspective on using ES mapping and assessment in the private sector”. The Workshop will then focus on three selected case studies from Hungary, Finland, and Sweden aiming to analyse how mapping and assessment of ecosystem services supports different phases of decision-making processes. The last session of Day 1 will involve the stakeholders in an overall review of the ESMERALDA methodology and products. Day 3 will be dedicated to finalizing the different ESMERALDA products and Deliverables, with the active involvement of all participants.