MedINA participated in the 1st Panhellenic Agroecology Forum, a three-day event of gathering and dialogue on the present and future of Greek agriculture and our food systems, which took place on September 24-26, 2026, in Kalamata.
Academics, researchers, producers, agronomists, civil society organisations, and other stakeholders from Greece and abroad participated in the Forum, contributing to a diverse dialogue on the challenges and perspectives of the agroecological transition.
MedINA participated with two scientific posters, presenting aspects of its work on empowering local agrifood systems and conserving agrobiodiversity:
- “Building food communities: towards a participatory framework for empowering local agrifood systems”
- “An integrated approach to developing a dynamic in situ and ex situ conservation system for plant genetic resources in Lemnos”
(Both posters are also available on ResearchGate: Building food communities | Integrated approach in Lemnos)
Agroecology as a holistic approach to the food system transformation
Agroecology is closely aligned with MedINA’s philosophy and work, as it is not just about agricultural practices, but how we view food systems as a whole. As a science, practice, and movement, it connects the ecological dimension of production with society, the economy, knowledge, local organisation, and governance.
This holistic character was strongly highlighted during the Forum’s discussions. An olive grove, for example, does not only hold productive value; it is simultaneously linked to soil fertility, biodiversity, the landscape, cultural heritage, the local economy, and the experiential relationship of people with their land. This broader perspective is an essential prerequisite for a meaningful agroecological transition.
Which direction do we want to take?
One of the key takeaway messages from the Forum is that the transition towards more sustainable food systems is not purely a technical matter. It requires vision, collaboration, and the active participation of all stakeholders.
Most importantly, however, the agroecological transition does not concern only farmers and the agrifood sector. It concerns all of us as consumers and citizens: It is about the way we produce and select our food, manage our natural resources and landscapes, and shape the relationship between food, place, and our communities.
In this direction, at MedINA we are increasingly talking about the creation and empowerment of “Food Communities”: local networks of people, producers, businesses, and institutions, connected through food, that can jointly contribute to shaping more sustainable, fair, and resilient local food systems, with the Mediterranean Diet serving as an important common point of reference.
To move forward towards this transition, we first need to know where we want to go and build the communities and partnerships that can lead us there.