The rural community of Matera in southern Italy’s Basilicata region has a deep connection to the land. But over the past decades the community has faced mounting challenges that have threatened both its environment and way of life. Deforestation, intensive monocrop agriculture, and relentless soil tilling have left the landscape scarred by erosion, landslides, and biodiversity loss. Adding to these environmental struggles are declining populations, economic shifts, and social hardships, all contributing to a general loss of hope and livelihoods.
In 2018, a group of young community members decided it was time to take action – both for the land and for the people who depend on it. They wanted to show local farmers and landowners that restoring degraded ecosystems wasn’t just possible, but essential for the future of the region. Their goal was to shift the mindset from seeing the land as just a place to plant and harvest for short-term profit to embracing a longer-term vision of regeneration and sustainability. With this mission in mind, they founded Rocciaviva – a dynamic association of biologists, agroecologists, educators, designers, and local residents working together to restore the land and revive the community.
Local volunteers from the community planting trees along the degraded slopes of the land
Connecting the community to a global network
In 2021, Rocciaviva became part of the Ecosystem Restoration Communities (ERC) movement, to expand their network by connecting with – and learning from – like-minded communities around the world who are tackling similar challenges. And at the end of 2023, Rocciaviva and Ecosystem Restoration Communities teamed up to launch RestorACTION, a pioneering project funded by the European Union’s Erasmus+ programme. This inspiring collaboration brought together Rocciaviva’s focus on environmental and social regeneration in Matera with ERC’s mission to equip local people with the skills and tools needed to restore their own ecosystems.
Why citizen science?
The inspiration behind RestorACTION came from the EU’s Biodiversity Strategy, which emphasises the need for science in the fight against biodiversity loss. As the strategy states: “The fight against biodiversity loss must be underpinned by sound science. Data and indicators on biodiversity need to be improved through better monitoring, digital technology, and citizen science.” It also highlights the crucial role of local communities in protecting and restoring nature.
That’s why citizen science became the heart of the project. RestorACTION set out to engage everyday people as citizen scientists, introducing them to the key concepts of ecosystem restoration and training them in environmental monitoring and evaluation to help them understand the importance of this process. The intended outcome was for participants to learn to identify degraded areas, collect reliable ecological data using a simple smartphone app, and establish baseline studies – laying the groundwork for informed action. By equipping the community with these skills, the project aimed to bridge the gap between restoration experts and local citizens, making ecosystem restoration a truly community-driven effort.
A penetrometer is used to measure how compacted the soil is
Hands-on community action on the ground
Over three weekends in Spring 2024 – the ideal season for ecological surveys – Rocciaviva welcomed around 30 local community members, mostly farmers and landowners, to their land in Oppido Lucano, a small town of about 3,500 residents. This 8-hectare site, purchased by Rocciaviva two years ago, became the setting for community hands-on learning and collaboration in ecosystem restoration.
Four monitoring areas were identified and marked with poles, as the Rocciaviva and ERC teams demonstrated just how simple and accessible scientific data collection can be. Participants learned to use ERC’s Soil Framework to assess soil health, structure, and water infiltration and retention – key factors in ecosystem restoration. Using the Soil Jar Test, they identified a high clay content in the region, while the Drop & Shatter Test provided insights into soil aggregation. A soil penetrometer device measured soil compaction, highlighting the need for better aeration and structure. Meanwhile, a simple moth trap left overnight helped track insect activity, and iNaturalist – an online network for sharing information on plant and animal species – was used by the group to document biodiversity on site.
A beautiful, giant moth is uncovered during a biodiversity documenting exercise, and a pick axe is used to break down compacted soil ahead of planting
The community also had the opportunity to test ERC’s new impact monitoring mobile app, using it to gather baseline ecological data that would help measure, enhance, and share the impact of restoration efforts. Participants were later invited to provide feedback through a survey, helping to refine the app’s usability and effectiveness.
To track progress, these monitoring and evaluation tests will be repeated every year or two at the same four sites, and the collected data will offer valuable insights into the effects of Rocciaviva’s interventions in soil and water management and agroforestry. Over time, this evidence will also play a key role in securing funding to support their ongoing mission of restoring the land and revitalizing the community.
In March 2024, around 80 community members returned to Rocciaviva’s site at Oppido Lucano, to hear the final outcomes of the project they had helped bring to life. They took part in hands-on field workshops, where they once again collected data with real enthusiasm, using the improved monitoring app and the ERC Soil Framework. In the evening, a lively evening celebration provided a moment to reflect on progress made by the community and their shared vision for the future.
Piero from Rocciaviva presents to the gathered community on insights gained through the RestorACTION project
The community gather for a celebratory evening following a long day of field workshops and data collection in March 2025
The community impact beyond the data
Beyond the scientific insights gained into ecosystem restoration, participants have shared how rewarding it was to discover simple, meaningful actions that anyone can take to contribute to ecological restoration. Many described the experience as not only enriching but also a powerful way to bring the local community together.
Local farmers and landowners, in particular, gained a deeper appreciation for the important role of ecological monitoring and evaluation in the process of regenerating the land in Matera.
Members of the community of Oppido Lucano putting their newly gained skills and knowledge to the test
What is truly remarkable is how this project fostered a sense of unity in the small town of Oppido Lucano and contributed to social regeneration. People came together, initially out of curiosity about what Rocciaviva was doing on the land, and their interest grew when they learned that international organisations were recognising their region. They seized the opportunity to learn about biodiversity loss, soil erosion, desertification, and climate change, all while gaining hands-on experience in ecosystem restoration techniques and ecological monitoring. And the knowledge they gained not only empowered them but also set the foundation for a better future for younger generations living in the region.
The RestorACTION project has given community members in Matera a reason to reconnect, build relationships, and unite around a shared goal: becoming active participants in the revival of their land towards a more regenerative future.
The RestorACTION project ran from 01 December 2023 until 31 March 2025.
Learn more about ERC Rocciaviva here