In August 2025, a new project was launched, funded by the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (BfN) and implemented in close cooperation with Rhodes University (South Africa). The Research Capacity Biosphere Reserves (RECAPBR) project is establishing a cross-border research and support network in UNESCO biosphere reserves in sub-Saharan Africa.

The project supports master's and doctoral students as well as practitioners from biosphere reserves in Ghana, South Africa and Eswatini in developing skills in transdisciplinary, practice-oriented sustainability research. With a focus on ecosystem services under climate change conditions, the project offers targeted research support, peer mentoring and technical guidance for practitioners through workshops, exchange formats and international conferences.

The project is led by Prof. Heike Molitor and coordinated by Franziska Rottig and Jana Gengelbach.