ANATOLIKI S.A. participated in the first transnational meeting of the EURO-MED INSPIRE project in Messina, Sicily, Italy, from 9 to 12 September 2025. ANATOLIKI was represented by Ms. Sofia Astriti, Director of Finance, and Ms. Naya Tselepí, Project Manager. They were joined by Mr. Evangelos Kyriakou, Director of Cultural Tourism, Environment & EDP Dept. in the Municipality of Edessa, as the Municipality is participating in the project as a study area of ANATOLIKI.
On the first day, 9 September, the partner meeting (Steering Committee) took place, along with presentations from project partners and stakeholders involved in the initiative. This was followed by a world café workshop focusing on the capitalization of previous related initiatives and the selection of INSPIRE good practices. The day concluded with a coordination session among partners on internal communication, project management, and monitoring issues.
As part of the session on synergies with other European projects and initiatives, Ms. Naya Tselepí presented ANATOLIKI’s EURO-MED WEGOCOOP project, which focuses on Wetland Contracts and Communities of Practice in the Mediterranean (https://anatoliki.gr/we-go-coop/).
On the second day, 10 September, a public conference was held under the theme ‘Regenerative tourism and agrobiodiversity in the Mediterranean: compared visions’. The event featured a wide range of speakers from the agricultural, tourism, and education sectors. It was followed by a training workshop on agrobiodiversity mapping, with emphasis on theory, field data, expected outcomes, tools, and methodologies.
On the third and fourth days, 11 and 12 September, field visits were organized to showcase traditional practices and sites of agrobiodiversity in the wider Messina area. On the third day, participants joined an experiential tour with a traditional feluca boat to witness swordfish ‘hunting’, followed by visits to a local vineyard, winery, and art exhibition. The program also included a boat tour of the Ganzirri lakes and a visit to traditional mussel farms in seaside villages. On the fourth and final day, participants visited the Wheat Museum, met with local farmers and beekeepers, toured a local farm, and enjoyed a tasting of seasonal products prepared with Sicilian recipes.
The INSPIRE project seeks to transform agrobiodiversity conservation into a driver of sustainable tourism. The Project’s overarching mission is to unlock the potential of Mediterranean agrobiodiversity as a catalyst for sustainable, inclusive, and regenerative tourism. By enhancing local agri-food systems and valuing traditional knowledge, the project promotes territorial development while safeguarding cultural, environmental, and social heritage in rural areas.
ANATOLIKI S.A. (PP6) is responsible for engaging local stakeholders and implementing the co-development and co-management of an agrobiodiversity-based tourist destination in its territory. The study area under ANATOLIKI’s responsibility is the Municipality of Edessa (PP9), which also participates as an associate partner in the project. ANATOLIKI contributes to the INSPIRE project through a broad set of activities, including: sharing knowledge and best practices from relevant EU projects; supporting the development of a co-creation framework for sustainable tourism; mapping agrobiodiversity in the pilot area; engaging stakeholders in Living Labs; contributing to carbon footprint monitoring; co-developing local action plans; designing and testing tourism products; providing targeted training; and supporting the production of related communication materials.
INSPIRE brings together 8 partners from 5 Mediterranean countries, combining public authorities, tourism boards, NGOs, and sustainability experts. Each partner contributes local knowledge and thematic expertise to co-develop, test, and scale the project’s solutions.
Project Budget: 1.750.810,00eur.
ANATOLIKI S.A. Budget: 121.500,00eur.
Project Duration: 1/4/2025 – 31/12/2027 (33 months)
Website: https://inspire.interreg-euro-med.eu/
