In this newsletter edition, you will discover a recap of our past activities, hear from participants, and learn about the MEDAE Network. Dive in to see how we are advancing and what is on the horizon!
Stay Updated
An Overview of the project progress
In WP1 the partners are engaged on building the Multidimensional and Multiscale AEP Evaluation Framework of NATAE.
The public deliverable, Multidimensional, Multiscale Evaluation Framework is the result of a collaborative effort involving all project partners, including top research institutions, international organizations, and NGOs with extensive experience in agroecology was submitted on 06/30/2023.
Read more on the deliverable here
The co-creation work on the methodological framework was introduced to the partners in the kick off meeting of NATAE project on 19th January 2023. The process of co-creation included three workshops of task 1.2 of NATAE held on 26th April, 26th May and 15th June and also the possibility to contribute or modify the Glossary, the Methodological Framework and the Database of indicators on the NATAE CLOUD.
The conceptual framework, together with the Kick-off meeting report (T8.2) whose responsible is CIHEAM IAMM and the LL design and methodology guidelines (D4.1) from WUR, is part of the Milestone 2 -Establishing the general methodological framing (submitted on 30 /06/2023) that is meant to provide a contribution to the strengthening of transdisciplinary research and integrated scientific support for relevant EU policies and priorities (e.g. EU strategy for Africa and Green Deal…).
The evaluation framework includes a database reporting 238 different indicators available to assess the performance of Agroecological practices and to track the contribution of such practices to ecosystem services provision and to SDGs achievement and also their connection to One Health Approach.
The data base, builds on previous experiences from other partners and evaluation methods (AVACLIM, TAPE, and GTAEHandbook) it considers a number of specific domains (agroecosystem health; technical performance; quality of life, economy and wellbeing; resilience,…) works at different scale of intervention (agroecosystem level; value chain and food system; territory and landscape).
Thanks to observations of the Project Officer and of Reviewers the database is presently available in open formats facilitating and expanding possibilities for free use and consultation (csv .and .ods formats).
The Multidimensional, Multiscale Evaluation Framework, is an open document and it is being revised, adapted and re-shaped all through the project length in order to showcase the changes in the perception of agroecology and AE transition occurring in the time span of the project development in the LLs and areas targeted by NATAE activities.
Welcome to new members
We are welcoming new members to the NATAE team!
Together, we collaborate and work towards achieving our project’s ambitious goals. As we progress, these new additions will help us create a positive impact on agroecology.
Here’s to a successful journey ahead and to making a meaningful difference in sustainable agriculture!
- Anis Ghattassi, from OSS
- Isabel Morais, from SPI
- Khoufi Widien, from INAT
- Lamine Babasy, from OSS
- Mark Caulfield, from WR
- Quintana Martín-Montalvo Belén, from IUCN
- Saida Loqmane, from RIAM
- Sonsoles San Román Sánchez, from IUCN
NATAE Consortium Meeting and General Assembly in Tunis
Between April 30 and May 4, 2024, the NATAE Consortium Meeting and General Assembly took place in Tunis, Tunisia, gathering partners for a week of great discussions and activities focused on agricultural ecosystems and agroecological transitions. The event kicked-off with presentations on the capitalisation of agroecological practices, updates from the Living and Replicant Labs, and the launch of the MEDAE network. The Communication and dissemination efforts were also reviewed. The first day concluded with a social dinner at Dar Belhadj by offering to the participants an opportunity to connect in a relaxed setting.
On May 1, a field visit to the Siliana Living Lab, organized by the Institut National Agronomique de Tunisie (INAT), provided participants with a firsthand experience of innovative agricultural practices and sustainable solutions in Tunisia. The 2nd day continued with more engaging presentations and workshops, touching on key topics such as agroecology as a sustainable production model and crop production under the Participatory Guarantee System (PGS). Participants also had the chance to visit the historic Dougga ruins, a well-preserved Roman town in North Africa. The meeting concluded on May 3 with a session held at the Permaculture Farm L’Heridium, where further insights into sustainable farming practices were provided by reinforcing the Consortium’s commitment to promote a agroecological transition.
Read more here
Join the MEDAE network - A new network on Agroecology in the Mediterranean
MEDAE (MEDiterranean multi-actor network on AgroEcology) is a recent network, launched in october 2024, in order to create a unique and sustainable community of knowledge and capacity building on agroecology in the Mediterranean.
The MEDAE network brings together organizations coming from academic and research background along with civil society, government bodies, the private sector and many others, acting at local, national or international scale.
With its diversity of sectors and activities, MEDAE intends to meet 2 main objectives :
- Stimulate collaborations, projects and exchanges of information, knowledge, solutions and experience between the various stakeholders working to develop agroecology in the Mediterranean.
- Represent Mediterranean agroecology stakeholders at national and international levels, and develop political and scientific advocacy for agroecology in the Mediterranean.
By becoming a MEDAE member your organization will be able to:
- Join a sharing community on Mediterranean agroecology
- Increase its political representation and influence
- Increase its visibility
- Access to financing and projects
- Access information
- Contribute to network activities and decisions
You want to know more about MEDAE? You want to join the network?
Learn more: medae-agroecology.eu
Publications
We are delighted to announce the release of our publications, filled with groundbreaking research and expert perspectives related NATAE’s objectives. It is an essential read for anyone looking to deepen their understanding and stay updated. Visit our website to see the list of publications or see them below. Stay tuned to our social media and website for more insights and updates.
- Hazimeh, M., Kyrgiakos, L.S., Kleftodimos, G., Kleisiari, C., Vasileiou, M., Vlontzos, G. (2024) Assessing Agroecology Terms for North African Countries: A Literature Review. 94(1):4 https://doi.org/10.3390/proceedings2024094004
- Vasileiou, M., Kyriakos, L. S., Kleisiari, C., Kleftodimos, G., Vlontzos, G., Belhouchette, H., & Pardalos, P. M. (2023). Transforming weed management in sustainable agriculture with artificial intelligence: a systematic literature review towards weed identification and deep learning. Crop Protection, 106522. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cropro.2023.106522
- Requier-Desjardins, M., Boughamoura, O., Lemaître-Curri, E. (2024) Characterizing Agroecology in North Africa, a Review of 88 Sustainable Agriculture Projects. Land2024, 13(9), 1457. https://doi.org/10.3390/land13091457
Funded by the European Union under Grant Agreement no. 101084647. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Research Executive Agency (REA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them. For the associated partner in the NATAE project, this work has received funding from the Swiss State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI). Associated partner in NATAE project is supported by financial contribution of the Government of Switzerland.
