NATAE has established participatory Living Labs and Replication Labs across diverse North African territories, creating spaces where agroecological solutions are co-designed in real farming contexts. Farmers, researchers, civil society organisations and policymakers work side by side to test practices, share knowledge, and adapt innovations to local needs, ensuring that change is grounded, relevant, and scalable.
A key example of co-creation within NATAE is the functioning of the Living Labs themselves, where agroecological practices are jointly designed and tested under real farming conditions. In the Skoura M'Daz Living Lab (Morocco), farmers, researchers from ENAM Meknès, ICARDA experts and local associations work together to adapt practices such as crop association, composting and biomass recycling to arid and semi-arid contexts. Similarly, in Siliana (Tunisia) and Laghouat (Algeria), Living Labs have enabled farmers to combine traditional knowledge with scientific input to improve soil fertility, water management and biodiversity. These collaborative processes ensure that innovations are not externally imposed, but co-developed with local actors and adapted to territorial realities.
A key achievement has been the development of a multidimensional evaluation framework that captures the full value of agroecology. Moving beyond productivity alone, NATAE assesses environmental performance, socio-economic viability, and governance dynamics, providing a more holistic understanding of what successful agroecological transitions look like in practice.
NATAE's multidimensional evaluation framework is a concrete example of innovation in knowledge generation. Rather than focusing solely on yields, the project assesses agroecological practices using environmental, socio-economic and governance indicators. For example, Living Lab activities evaluate not only changes in soil quality or input reduction, but also farmers' economic resilience, labour organisation, knowledge sharing and local governance dynamics. This approach allows partners to compare practices across different North African agroecosystems and to identify conditions under which agroecology delivers long-term benefits beyond productivity alone.
Through field schools, on-farm demonstrations, and targeted training sessions, NATAE has strengthened local capacities and practical know-how. Farmers are empowered as experimenters and knowledge holders, fostering farmer-led innovation and supporting long-term adoption of agroecological practices within their communities.
Capacity building is illustrated through hands-on training activities conducted across Living Labs. A recent example is the training sessions held in December 2025 in Morocco, where farmers from the Skoura M'Daz and Aït Othmane Living Labs participated in theoretical and practical modules on agroecology, organic fertilisation, composting, marketing of agroecological products and plant multiplication under greenhouses. Similar activities have taken place through field schools, demonstration farms and cross-visits, enabling farmers to observe, test and exchange practices directly. These initiatives position farmers as active experimenters and knowledge holders, strengthening local skills and fostering farmer-led innovation.
By facilitating dialogue and knowledge exchange across borders, NATAE has contributed to stronger policy engagement and laid the groundwork for integrating agroecology into regional and national strategies.
The creation of the MEDAE network is a flagship example of networking and policy dialogue emerging from NATAE. MEDAE connects researchers, farmers' organisations, NGOs and policymakers across the Mediterranean, creating a structured space for exchange and advocacy around agroecology. Concrete examples include regional conferences such as the Regional Conference on Agroecology: Science and Policy, as well as webinars and workshops that bring together actors from different countries to discuss policy frameworks, share experiences, and promote agroecology in public agendas.
Until the end of the project in November 2026, a range of key activities will continue to support a meaningful and lasting agroecological transition in North Africa. These upcoming actions aim to strengthen knowledge sharing, visibility, and long-term impact across the region. Key concrete outputs include:
Additional practice abstracts will be developed as concise summaries of agroecological practices identified, tested, or demonstrated within the NATAE Living Laboratories. These practices will contribute to the development of sustainable and resilient farming and food systems across North Africa and the Mediterranean region. Collectively, they will reflect the ten principles of agroecology as defined by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), ensuring a comprehensive and balanced approach to the agroecological transition.
The Travel Book is one of the project's most engaging and narrative-driven dissemination outputs. Primarily targeting professionals working in agroecology in North Africa, while remaining accessible to a broader audience, the book combines storytelling and photography to portray the realities of agriculture in the region. Produced by a professional author and photographer under the coordination of CARI, the book takes the form of a travel diary, guiding readers through landscapes, farming systems, and the daily lives of North African farmers, while highlighting agroecology as a relevant response to current agricultural challenges.
The NATAE Atlas Platform will be developed using innovative digital tools and will target both agroecological practitioners and potential consumers. It will enable a wide range of stakeholders, including consumer associations, NGOs, extension services, and professional organisations, to:
Comprehensive training resources developed through Work Package 7 to support capacity building and knowledge transfer in agroecological practices across North Africa. These materials are designed for practitioners, trainers, extension services, and educational institutions working to advance the agroecological transition in the region.
A regional policy conference bringing together policymakers, researchers, practitioners, and civil society organizations to discuss the integration of agroecology into national and regional agricultural policies. The conference will foster dialogue on policy frameworks, institutional support mechanisms, and enabling conditions for scaling up agroecological transitions across North Africa and the Mediterranean.
The MEDAE Network serves as a Mediterranean multi-actor platform dedicated to promoting agroecological transition in North Africa. Beyond the project's lifetime, the network will continue to function as a sustainable space for exchange, collaboration, and collective action among stakeholders committed to advancing agroecology across the Mediterranean region.
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