To provide a practice-oriented and SDG-relevant research experience, postgraduate students require opportunities to conduct fieldwork in an ecologically unique location. The Derawan Islands were selected for their rich marine biodiversity, their status as a conservation area, and their relevance to Blue Economy activities such as ecotourism.

This initiative will take place in Derawan, Indonesia, in 2026. It provides an opportunity for postgraduate students to conduct field research for a period of 21 days up to 3 months. The initial project stay will involve 21 participants, which includes 10 staff/lecturers (from IPB, Oldenburg, Groningen) and 11 students (5 from IPB, 3 from UMT, and 3 from the EU partners). The research will be conducted under the thematic umbrella “Resilience to Coastal and Ocean Risks and the NbS (Nature-Based Solution) Approach to Support a Sustainable Blue Economy.” The expected outcomes are the establishment of long-term research collaborations, the development of practical recommendations for tailored blue economy practices, and at least 5 collaborative research publications by the end of the project.