Exploring Traditional Knowledge and Transformative Change in Hungary
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Field trip and project workshops converge in a week of exchange and reflection.
In May 2025, BIOTraCes partners gathered in Hungary for a five-day meeting that combined field experiences with focused project work. The event was split into two parts: an optional field trip on 12–13 May, followed by in-depth workshops at the HUN-REN Centre for Ecological Research from 14–16 May.
Together, these activities offered space for learning, collaboration, and reflection on transformative change, connecting field experiences with broader themes of transformation, equity, and systems thinking.
Immersive Field Visit to the Hungarian Plains
12 May – Meeting the Sáfián Herder Family
Exploring local flora, knowledge exchange, and community storytelling.
The field trip began with a visit to the Sáfián herder family in Hajdúsámson. On the way, BIOTraCes partner and botanist/ethnoecologist Zsolt Molnár introduced the region and its traditional land users. Upon arrival, participants explored the pasture, collecting and identifying local plants while learning about their use and significance for the herders.
Later, the group was welcomed by the herder family, with parallel sessions held between male and female participants to foster mutual understanding. Simultaneous translation ensured smooth communication. Following a shared meal of local specialities, we held a hybrid meeting to discuss ecological practices, collaboration with conservationists, and future prospects.
13 May – Hortobágy National Park and Herder Heritage
The following day, the group travelled to Hortobágy National Park, one of Central Europe’s largest continuous pastures. Two lookout points offered expansive views and sparked conversation about conservation and heritage, including a sodic wetland system and a Bronze Age burial mound. BIOTraCes partner Bálint Sándor shared photographs depicting everyday herder life, which inspired thoughtful discussion.
The group then visited the Pásztormúzeum, a museum dedicated to herding traditions. Exhibits closely linked to the project included an interactive wall featuring videos of Hungarian herders, and a sound-only video by Zsolt Molnár and colleagues. These displays prompted a rich discussion on identity, empowerment, and the role of storytelling in systemic change.
Collaborative Project Work at HUN-REN
Progress, data collection, and planning for impact.
The second part of the trip, held at the HUN-REN Centre for Ecological Research, focused more closely on project development and deliverables. All partners had the opportunity to share updates on their work, present new findings, and contribute to the collection of data and insights that will feed into upcoming outputs. Through a mix of workshops, discussions, and creative formats, the group advanced several core elements of the BIOTraCes project.
14 May – Visioning Social-Ecological Futures
Workshops on SES, PEPE principles, and sectoral impact.
The day began with a welcome and check-in, before moving into a social-ecological systems (SES) workshop where partners imagined desirable futures for 2045. This was followed by group dialogues on the PEPE principles (Pluralising, Empowering, Politicising and Embedding). Later, a creative reflection game brought a playful lens to the day’s themes, and an interactive session on high-impact sectors rounded off the agenda.
15 May – Transformative Strategies in Focus
Case studies insights, participatory activities, and forward planning.
This full-day workshop explored strategies for transformation. The programme included conceptual discussions, the sharing of preliminary findings from the case studies, and structured data collection. Participants also took part in a group activity designed to stimulate creativity, followed by a collaborative discussion on how to deepen the project’s impact.
The day concluded with a special visit from a local herder who specialises in tuning iron bells, a traditional skill that is increasingly rare. He explained the process of tuning each bell to a specific tone, and how herds of up to 300 cows are guided across the open Hungarian plains by the sound of 7 to 13 carefully tuned bells. It was a fascinating insight into a disappearing knowledge that reflects a deep connection between sound, animals, and landscape.
16 May – Wrapping Up and Looking Ahead
Final presentations, evaluation, and a hybrid session with societal partners.
The final day opened with a session on the Transformative Change Handbook, including a call for contributions to complete this key deliverable. Progress on the BIOTraCes communication and dissemination strategy was presented, with a discussion on sharing project findings with both specialised audiences and the general public. In the afternoon, a hybrid session brought together institutional and societal partners, offering an opportunity to connect with colleagues joining remotely and to reflect on the week’s achievements.
Entering the Autumn of BIOTraCes
From seeds to harvest: lessons for the future.
As BIOTraCes moves into its final phase, partners described the project as entering its “autumn”. In the “spring”, seeds were planted—ideas, partnerships, and shared goals. In the “summer”, these began to grow and bear fruit. Now, in “autumn”, it is time to gather what we have learned.
BIOTraCes is about collecting insights and preparing to pass them on—not just to continue the work, but to support real transformation. The aim is to help define strategies that foster biodiversity, and enable economic and social change through inclusive, knowledge-based approaches.
