new alliance is born. The Darkersky Sentinel Alliance was founded in November and is slowly growing. Its goal is to play a fundamental role as a forum for discussion, sharing and development of proposals on light pollution reduction. An approach to work together as a community of practice.
The Sentinel Alliance is open to any organization willing to join to work together on light pollution reduction and promotion of dark sky.
The actions promoted by the DSA may include the following:
– Educating policymakers, tourism operators, tourists, and local communities about the detrimental impacts of light pollution and the benefits of preserving dark skies from many points of view: culture and heritage conservation, ecosystems and human health preservation, stargazing and astrotourism activities, green economy enhancement, among others.
– Promoting Best Practices to implement and advocate for effective strategies and practices to improve lighting management and minimise light pollution in Central Europe.
– Enhancing cross-border cooperation to develop innovative solutions and share knowledge and resources.
– Sustainable Development highlighting the role of dark skies in promoting sustainable tourism and regional development, particularly in non-urbanized areas.
In addition to the project partners and associated partners, four new members joined the alliance at the April meeting and two new members were presented who may be included in the next meeting, which will probably be held in Nova Gorica and online in October 2025.
AquaPLAN Project (Project, International)
AquaPLAN Project is an international project funded by Horizon Europe programme that aims to quantify the combined impacts of Light and Noise Pollution (LNP) on aquatic biodiversity in European waters and facilitate the implementation of empirically sound strategies for managing these pollutants through novel interdisciplinary approaches.
Link to website: https://aquaplan-project.eu/
Cielo Buio (Association, Italy)
Cielo Buio, Co-ordination for the Protection of the Night Sky, is an Italian association working on the reduction of light pollution created in 1997. Brings together professional and amateur astronomers, scientists, lighting professionals and ordinary citizens interested in the problem of light pollution in all its forms, to coordinate the following activities in Italy: scientific, technical, lighting, cultural, educational, reporting, measuring, etc., and to support actions aimed at correctly combating the phenomenon of light pollution.
The association has contributed to the drafting of numerous laws for the reduction of light pollution in Italy and worldwide.
Link to website: https://cielobuio.org/
Development Centre Murska Sobota (Institution, Slovenia)
The Murska Sobota Development Centre is a regional institution whose aim is to encourage balanced economic, social, and cultural development in the Pomurje region and its administrative center, the city municipality of Murska Sobota. With its professional work as well as knowledge and experience in various fields, it gives its best to encourage and execute development projects in the region.
DCMS is lead partner of the ADRISKY project, funded by Interreg IPA ADRION programme. The project’s overall objective is to mitigate light pollution and preserve natural darkness in the Adriatic-Ionian region. It aims to provide policy instruments, knowledge, and tools to stakeholders, leading to a significant decrease in light pollution and restoration of dark areas. The measurable change sought is improved conditions for nocturnal wildlife, biodiversity, and ecosystems in the targeted territories.
Link to website: https://www.rcms.si/en/
Paten der Nacht (Association, Austria-Germany)
Paten der Nacht is a non-profit, non-partisan organisation based in Germany that aims to combat light pollution. Since its foundation in 2019, more than 50 volunteers have joined the team in Germany and Austria. They all provide advice on the issue of light pollution and show people viable solutions for dealing with nocturnal artificial light more responsibly and intelligently in the interests of environmental and species protection. The organisation has now grown to become the largest of its kind in the German-speaking world. The necessary expertise on light pollution in all its facets is generated by a broad network of experts in which they are integrated.
Link to website: https://www.paten-der-nacht.de/
If your organization want to be part of the DarkerSky Sentinel Alliance, you may contact one of the DARKERSKY4CE project partners or darkersky4ce@gmail.com
Cooperation is Central!
A darker sky for a brighter future!
