Interreg Euro-MED INSPIRE: 2nd Living Lab and Bilateral Meetings with Local Stakeholders in Edessa

On 25 and 26 June 2026, the 2nd Living Lab and a series of bilateral meetings with local stakeholders from Edessa, Almopia, and the mountainous area of Pella were successfully held within the framework of the Interreg Euro-MED INSPIRE project.

The main mission of the project “INSPIRE – INtegrating biodiverSity Preservation and agrobIodiversity valorisation in tourism managEment in the MED area” is to harness the potential of Mediterranean agrobiodiversity as a catalyst for sustainable, inclusive, and regenerative tourism. By strengthening local agri-food systems and promoting traditional knowledge, the project supports the integrated development of rural areas while safeguarding their cultural, environmental, and social heritage. ANATOLIKI S.A.’s study area covers Edessa and the mountainous area of Pella, while the Municipality of Edessa participates in the project as an associated partner.

The ANATOLIKI S.A. project team—consisting of Dr. Naya Tselepi (Project Manager) and Renia Gkountiou (Project Team Member)—together with representatives of the project partner Slow Food (Italy), Marina Mainardi and Michela Lenta, carried out a two-day programme of activities, including field visits, bilateral meetings, and the organisation of the project’s second Living Lab.

During the first day, the team visited local producers in the Municipality of Almopia, including the “3 Genies” Winery and the Organic Pepper Producers’ Cooperative of Almopia-Pella. During these meetings, the distinctive characteristics of local wine and organic pepper production were presented, while discussions focused on opportunities for networking local producers through the Slow Food platform and its thematic communities.

In the afternoon, the 2nd Living Lab, entitled “Agri-food & Sustainable Tourism in the Municipality of Edessa”, was held at the Old Girls’ School building in Edessa as part of the Municipality’s Cherry Festival programme. The event was opened by Dr. Ioannis Tsakiris, Deputy Mayor for Planning. Subsequently, Dr. Evangelos Kyriakou, Head of Tourism of the Municipality of Edessa, presented the municipality’s tourism initiatives and services, as well as the area’s tourism development prospects. Dr. Naya Tselepi and Renia Gkountiou then presented the progress of the INSPIRE project in the Edessa study area, highlighting the project’s activities related to mapping, networking, and promoting the region’s agri-food identity. This was followed by a presentation from the Slow Food representatives, who introduced the organisation’s philosophy and showcased European good practices demonstrating how agri-food heritage can serve as a driver for sustainable local development. The event concluded with the Living Lab workshop, during which participating stakeholders exchanged views, shared proposals, and collaborated on the establishment of a local agri-food and sustainable tourism stakeholder group.

On the second day, the ANATOLIKI S.A. and Slow Food teams, accompanied by Dr. Evangelos Kyriakou, continued their field visits and meetings with local stakeholders and businesses across the study area. In Edessa, visits were conducted to local producers and businesses, including ‘Vladikas Dairy Products’ and ‘Meli Anotero’. The programme continued in Arnissa with a visit to the ‘Voras’ Women’s Cooperative, where participants learned about the cooperative’s long-standing activities, its traditional products made from local ingredients, and its contribution to preserving the area’s gastronomic identity and supporting the local economy. The programme concluded with a visit to ‘The Pig of Pasifilos’, an award-winning local gastronomic initiative that connects traditional pig farming with the region’s cultural heritage and contemporary culinary experience.

These visits contributed to documenting good practices and gaining a deeper understanding of the local agri-food ecosystem, while further strengthening collaboration among local stakeholders and supporting the preparation of the project’s next activities.

INSPIRE brings together 8 partners from 5 Mediterranean countries, combining public authorities, tourism boards, NGOs, and sustainability experts.

Leader: Municipality of Messina (Italy)