INTERREG CE Project Darkersky 4 Central Europe

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Join us in our mission to reclaim the night sky and protect our natural heritage for future generations.

In June 2024 started our new INTERREG CE Project Darkersky4CE.

Why Address Light Pollution?

Light pollution and excessive artificial lighting harm human well-being and severely impact ecosystems and biodiversity. Artificial light disrupts the natural behaviors of various species, such as insects, which are essential for pollination and serve as food for other wildlife. Additionally, constant illumination can cause significant health issues in humans, including sleep disorders and an increased risk of chronic conditions.

Our Focus and Objectives

The Darkersky4CE project aims to spotlight the adverse effects of light pollution and promote dark skies as a valuable resource for sustainable development, especially in non-urbanized areas. By fostering a positive attitude towards dark sky preservation, we seek to develop new solutions that protect ecosystems and biodiversity. Our approach includes:

  • Data Collection and Analysis: Gathering and sharing data on the risks and impacts of light pollution across Central Europe.
  • Strategy Development: Creating innovative strategies that consider the role of darkness in environmental and recreational contexts.
  • Astrotourism Pilot Projects: Implementing projects that leverage dark skies as a unique tourism asset.
  • Transnational Network Creation: Establishing the Darkersky4CE Sentinel Alliance, a network for knowledge exchange and policy recommendations.
  • Stakeholder Dialogue: Facilitating discussions among policymakers, tourism entities, and local communities to ensure project sustainability and highlight its added value.

Project Partners

The Darkersky4CE project is a collaborative effort involving several partners from Central European countries:

  1. National Institute of Astrophysics (Italy) - Lead Partner
  2. Kujawsko-Pomorskie Voivodeship (Poland)
  3. South Transdanubian Regional Innovation Agency (Hungary)
  4. Aufbauwerk Region Leipzig (Germany)
  5. Carinthia University of Applied Sciences (Austria)
  6. Regional Development Agency of Northern Primorska L.t.d. Nova Gorica (Slovenia)
  7. Escartons and Waldensian Valleys LAG (Italy)

We are looking forward to the involvement of our associate partners, the Nature Park Weissensee and National Park Hohe Tauern from Carinthia, National Park Gesäuse from Styria as well as the Hungarian Bükk National Park.

Learn More and Get Involved

We invite you to follow our project activities by visiting the official project page: https://www.interreg-central.eu/projects/darkersky4ce/

Project duration: June 2024 – January 2027

Financed by: INTERREG Central Europe