Teifi Fyw - Pobl a Natur gyda'i gilydd / Living Teifi - People and Nature Together is an ambitious initiative bringing together scientific, cultural, community and humanities-based approaches to support the long-term flourishing of the Afon Teifi — one of Wales’s most ecologically and culturally significant river systems.
To read more about the initiative's goals, its vision for the catchment, or the full outline, visit the Living Teifi Overview or the Teifi Fyw Project Page.
BRIDGES’ Signature Methodology
Rather than treating environmental recovery and cultural renewal as separate agendas, Teifi Fyw approaches the river as a living system shaped through ecological processes, histories of use, governance, memory and more-than-human relations.
BRIDGES’ signature methodology is being used to shape the development phase of the project. This approach brings together transdisciplinary modes of enquiry and practice, designed to connect scientific, artistic and community-based ways of knowing. It emphasises relational, place-based engagement and iterative collaboration across sectors, supporting forms of knowledge-making that are grounded in lived experience as well as ecological and social evidence.
Through this methodology, the development phase is being co-designed as an integrated process of learning and experimentation, bringing together conservation practitioners, researchers, artists, interested parties and local communities. The aim is to develop new forms of dialogue between different approaches to strengthen locally grounded pathways for environmental care, cultural vitality and long-term resilience.
By placing local communities at the heart of decision-making from the outset, the project ensures that those who know and love the river and the landscape it wends through are the ones who help shape its future.
A Transdisciplinary Vision for River Restoration
The Teifi Fyw project stands out as a conservation model with a beautiful difference. Moving beyond traditional, technocratic ecological management, it directly responds to the interdependent challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss, and declining river health by driving inclusive, community-led action on the ground.
By weaving together scientific expertise with the “life, land, and lore of the river”, the opening two-year phase will lay a meaningful foundation. This ensures the river catchment's revival is deeply rooted in the values of its local community, ensuring long-term socio-ecological flourishing for generations to come.
This initiative reflects the core philosophy of UNESCO-MOST BRIDGES by integrating the cultural narratives and deep-seated identities of the river’s communities with scientific research.
Through intentional storytelling, meaningful conversations, and joint design workshops, the coalition will merge diverse, traditionally undervalued knowledge systems to tackle complex environmental concerns.
Further Information
For more information about the project, framework methodologies, and a full list of partners, please visit the Teifi Demonstrator Catchment Project website: Teifi Demonstrator Programme - Natural Resources Wales Citizen Space - Citizen Space
Transdisciplinary Partnership
The Teifi Fyw project is coordinated by Natural Resources Wales in a strong cross-sector partnership alongside organisations including:
Further Information
For more information about the project, framework methodologies, and a full list of partners, please visit the Teifi Demonstrator Catchment Project website: Teifi Demonstrator Programme - Natural Resources Wales Citizen Space - Citizen Space
