The Cíes Islands of Galicia in Spain are celebrated for their pristine beaches, crystal-clear waters, and rich marine life. Often referred to as the "Galician Caribbean," these islands are a protected natural paradise, attracting visitors for hiking, birdwatching, and enjoying unspoiled coastal beauty. SOCIAT revealed the diverse benefits for both visitors and local communities from the park.
Social Impact Assessment Tool for Nature Protection and Restoration projects
SOCIAT tool
SOCIAT refers to a theoretical and methodological framework for assessing and predicting social impacts of nature policies. It has been applied in over 27 sites so far. The tool captures social outcomes of policy interventions, the sociodemographic profile of those affected by the policy, attitudes towards the governance system and levels of pro-environmental behaviour
Data collected via SOCIAT can assist in Promoting the equal distribution of social impacts of protected areas, build trusted relationships and ncrease engagement while empowering key stakeholders.
SOCIAT training
The Social Impact Assessment Training is provided by the University of Warwick in 2025 and is designed for those involved in the management and governance of nature protection and restoration projects. This training will provide participants with the necessary skills to assess the social outcomes of conservation projects, improve governance, and boost public support for conservation efforts. The training is also appropriate for people who subcontract social impact assessments.
SOCIAT platform
A new interactive platform is currently being developed that will integrate real-time data collection, predictive analytics, and spatial mapping, making it the first comprehensive digital platform for assessing the socio-economic impacts of nature protection and restoration policies. This innovation will not only enable more accurate, data-driven decision-making but also ensures that conservation efforts align with social equity goals, addressing both environmental sustainability and community wellbeing.
SOCIAT: A tool for the in-depth understanding of social impacts of nature Protected Areas
SOCIAT is a tailored questionnaire that measures:
- Social outcomes of a Protected Area for local communities
- The sociodemographic profile of the local community including place attachment, socio-environmental values and demographics
- Attitudes towards the governance system and levels of pro-environmental behaviour
Data collected via SOCIAT can assist in:
- Promoting the equal distribution of social impacts of protected areas
- Building trusted relationships with local communities
- Increasing engagement and empower local communities
- Incorporating local values in decision-making
- Predicting the change of social impacts through time
The benefits of using SOCIAT
The SOCIAT tool helps conservation practitioners and scientists to plan actions that will assist in increasing the level of public support for protected areas in the context of a post 2020 Biodiversity Strategy and the new Green Deal.
Protected areas can be a significant source of tensions between local communities, visitors and conservationists because their governance frameworks often impose restrictions on those who use these areas, limiting or at least regulating activities within their boundaries. Rather than shortfalls in funding, the failure to have the support of all categories of stakeholder is a key reason why some European PAs have been unsuccessful and have a low level of public support. SOCIAT helps to address this challenge.
SOCIAT applications and reports
Black Forest National Park
Black Forest National Park is one of the most popular nature parks in Europe. 500 people from the local communities participated in the SOCIAT assessment revealing their attitudes and perceptions about the park.
Eifel National Park
The Eifel National Park was founded as the first (and to date only) National Park in North Rhine-Westphalia. 330 people from local communities participated in the assessment expressing their views on a number of issues including the distribution of social impacts between stakeholders.
Matsalu National Park
Matsalu National Park in Estonia is one of the most important wetlands in Europe. SOCIAT was distributed in Spring 2021 capturing the views of 100 people living in the area regarding the contributions of the parks in their daily lives.
Triglav National Park
Triglav National Park is located in the Julian Alps of Slovenia. The park protects a variety of wildlife, including chamois, ibex, and golden eagles, preserving the region's natural heritage. Approximately 200 people participated in the SOCIAT survey revealing the multiple benefits of the park for local communities.
South European MPAs
SOCIAT was applied in four Marine Protected Areas in France (Calanques), Italy (Egadi island), Greece (Alonissos) and Spain (CIES Islands). The surveys revealed a number of benefits for local communities from the Marine PAs but also potential issues with specific stakeholders.
Pieniny National ParkLink opens in a new window
Pieniny National Park, located on the border between Poland and Slovakia, is renowned for its picturesque limestone cliffs and the scenic Dunajec River Gorge. The park is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts, offering activities like hiking, rafting, and exploring its diverse flora and fauna. SOCIAT captured the significant contribution of the park for local communities.
Kullaberg Nature Reserve
Kullaberg Nature Reserve is located in South Sweden and is characterised by steep cliffs, rocky shores, and dense forests overlooking the Kattegat Sea. The reserve is very popular with daily visitors. SOCIAT revealed the benefits of the park for local communities and also areas for improvement to minimise negative impacts.
Peak District National ParkLink opens in a new window
Peak District National Park is located in England. The park is surrounded by large cities and as a result is a very popular destination for short and long-term stays. This report reveals the impact of the park for local communities during the covid-19 pandemic.
Snowdonia (Eryri) National ParkLink opens in a new window
Snowdonia National Park, located in northwest Wales, is a breathtaking landscape of rugged mountains, glacial valleys, and picturesque lakes. It is home toYr Wyddfa (Snowdon), the highest peak in Wales, which attracts hikers and climbers from around the world. The park covers over 800 square miles and boasts diverse wildlife, charming villages, and rich Welsh culture.
National Park of Eastern Madeconia and Thrace
The National Park of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace (northern Greece), encompasses lakes, rivers, and lagoons, including Nestos Delta, Vistonida Lake, and Ismarida Lake. The park is a popular destination for bird watchers and it also have several economic activities taking place within its boundaries.
Prespes National ParkLink opens in a new window
Prespes National Park, located in northern Greece near the borders with Albania and North Macedonia, is a stunning protected area known for its serene lakes, rich biodiversity, and cultural heritage. It is home toMikri (Small) and Megali (Great) Prespa Lakes, which support rare bird species like the Dalmatian pelican.
Soderasen National ParkLink opens in a new window
Söderåsen National Park, located in southern Sweden, is a stunning natural retreat known for its deep valleys, lush deciduous forests, and dramatic cliffs. The park featuresSkäralid GorgeandKopparhatten viewpoint, offering panoramic views. Rich in biodiversity, it is home to rare plants, birds, and wildlife, making it a paradise for hikers and nature enthusiasts.
UK Protected Areas
Protected areas in the UK boost well-being, recreation, and nature connection but face accessibility and cost barriers. A study urges better transport, infrastructure, and conservation balance. It highlights housing pressures and calls for stronger protections and public awareness to safeguard these spaces.
Olympos National Park
The report explores the social outcomes and public perceptions of Olympus National Park in Greece. It assesses local residents’ views on conservation, governance, economic benefits, and environmental values. Key findings highlight strong public support, high environmental awareness, and moderate trust in institutions, with recommendations for enhancing community engagement, sustainable tourism, and equitable benefit distribution.
Matsalu National Park 2022 survey
The reports presents the results of the SOCIAT application at Matsalu National Park. Matsalu National Park is in Estonia and is a popular touristic destination while significant traditional activities take place within their boundaries. The report clearly shows the many positive impacts of the part for local communities across a range of aspects.
Black Forest national park 2024 comparative survey
This reports presents the results of a comparative analysis on perceptions about the park and how these have changed in the past years. The reports discusses that the Black Forest National Park enhances tourism, conservation, and recreation, benefiting both locals and visitors. Public support remains strong, with high trust in park management. A number of actions are proposed that will help balance conservation with local needs, supporting a thriving and inclusive environment.
Sighisoara Tavara Mare
The report explores the social outcomes of Sighisoara Tavara Mare, a NATURA 2000 network in Romania. The area has significant agricultural activities and is also a popular tourist destination. The report reveals the positive attitudes of the public for the protected areas and identifies positive impacts on a range of topics including on personal income and recreation.
Predicting social impacts of protected areas
This reports presents: a. the results of our work in capturing the change of social impacts of nature protected areas in four case studies and b. provide predictions for the change of social impacts in other protected areas in which FIDELIO collected data. This is done through an advanced modelling approach.
SOCIAT in European Protected Areas
We are working with park authorities in 19 protected areas in Europe
The SOCIAT tool has been developed as a result of the FIDELIO: Forecasting Social Impacts of Biodiversity Conservation Policies in Europe research project. This is funded by the European Research Council (ERC) under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme. The tool and associate guidelines have been further developed thanks to funding from the University of Warwick's Policy Support Fund.