The objective of the program is to contribute to sustainable development in the region with the knowledge gained through its research. Through a transnational sustainability network, trAndeS brings together experts from the region to create a greater exchange of experiences between different actors, universities, and non-university institutions and to strengthen and enrich the debate on sustainable societies.

Participants involved in the project from Freie Universität Berlin include Professor Marianne Braig, Professor Barbara Fritz, Dr. Bettina Schorr, and Professor Brigitta Schütt, while Dr. Gerardo Damonte Valencia, Dr. Narda Henriquez Ayin, and Dr. Ana Sabogal represent PUCP, the official headquarters of the program in Lima.

In a joint statement, the scholars from Freie Universität Berlin explained how the funding extension will make a difference: “Over the next five years, the program will continue to operate at the intersections between research on sustainability and social inequalities, internationalization, and digitalization.” The statement noted that a number of new elements will be added to the research and teaching framework established during the first funding phase between 2016 and 2020. These will include intensifying cooperation with further partner universities in the Andean region, developing a joint certificate program on the issue of sustainability and inequality, and setting up an online portal to make important teaching materials and research resources available.