Agencia Estatal Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas/ Centro de Investigaciones sobre Desertificación

The Spanish National Research Council-CSIC, is the largest public institution dedicated to research in Spain & the third largest in Europe. Belonging to the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness through the Secretary of State for Research, Development and Innovation, its objective is to develop and promote research that will help bring about scientific and technological progress, and it is prepared to collaborate with Spanish and foreign entities in order to achieve this.

CSIC has considerable experience in participating and managing R&D projects and training of research personnel. As a part of the CSIC, the Research Center on Desertification-CIDE is a joint research center (Spanish National Research Council, University of Valencia & The Regional Government of Valencia) with a focus on the causes and processes of desertification.

The Center consists of a team that focuses on the characterization of soils & the study of degradation processes, the study of ecology and evolution of plants in order to analyze information of the state and dynamics of the various components of the environment in thematic maps as a basis for territorial planning.

CSIC´s training scope is not only limited to Spain; it has an international vision & is a leading participant in the European Research Area as well as an irreplaceable partner in numerous EU Programs, such as LIFE & H2020.

The research advisory activity at international and national level is also very relevant for CIDE. The Centre participates in the elaboration, development & follow-up of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification including the Regional Application for the Mediterranean. It also collaborates in Regional & National plans to control desertification, as well as in Committees and initiatives of the European Union. CIDE used to be the headquarters of the First European Tepic Centre on Soil (ETCs) of the Environmental European Agency, and now is the seat of the European Soil Conservation Society.

For more information about CSIC, click here.