We need to improve Science-Policy-Practice interfaces for better biodiversity outcomes. The EU has committed to establishing a Science Service for Biodiversity aiming to connect research on biodiversity to policy in a targeted dialogue between scientists, other knowledge holders and policy. Answering knowledge requests from policy forms a core of the Science Service. The goals of this workshop are to introduce the Science Service and the model of answering requests, build capacity for participants to use the step- by- step protocol developed for handling knowledge requests from policy, discuss the challenges of the process and consider scaling possibilities to other than EU contexts. Innovative interaction methods will illustrate the real-world policy challenges and enable participants to reflect on the roles of policy officers, knowledge brokers, practitioners and researchers.

Duration:
• Introduction to EU Science Service for Biodiversity
• Presentation of “Model for answering urgent policy requests to support biodiversity policies”
• Capacity-building in small groups on how science can answer policy requests within short time frames. Group work will consist of going through the steps of the protocol on answering requests including forming thematic expert groups, managing the process and interacting with policy officers within a dialogic model. Groups will be working with real world examples.
• Facilitated summing up, interactive dialogue and reflection on scaling the model for other than EU contexts.

Expected outcomes will include an increased understanding of knowledge for policy support, hands-on experience on handling knowledge requests from policy and conclusion on scaling up possibilities of the model for different contexts.