Kick-Off Meeting of the Project “PROTECHMED”

Kick-Off Meeting of the Project “PROTECHMED”

On November 26–27, 2025, the Kick-Off Meeting of the PROTECHMED – PROmoting innovative solutions for the TECHnological Transition of the MEDiterranean horticultural sector – took place at the University of Thessaly, in Larissa of Greece with the participation of all the Partners and JS representatives. This event marked the official launch of the project under the Interreg NEXT MED Programme.

The PROTECHMED project aims to foster eco-innovative practices in Mediterranean greenhouse horticulture. Through knowledge-sharing, innovative solution development, capacity-building, and cross-border collaboration, PROTECHMED will support sustainable agricultural development across the Mediterranean region in alignment with the strategic goals of the NEXT MED Programme.

A minimum of 40 organizations pledge to adopt and implement 5 PROTECHMED solutions in the Agro-Industry sector, contributing to water and energy efficiency and enhancing their capacity, towards a sustainable model for protected horticulture, creating a transnational Alliance across MED countries.

The KoM commenced with welcoming remarks from the University of Thessaly, the Lead Partner and host of the event, alongside the Joint Secretariat representatives (Project Officer, Financial Officer, and Communication Officer). They highlighted the critical role of transnational cooperation and the potential impact of PROTECHMED in advancing sustainable horticultural practices across the Mediterranean. Following the welcome session, the Joint Secretariat provided detailed presentations on project management, financial oversight, and communication strategies, outlining the key roles, responsibilities, and expectations for project implementation.

The University of Thessaly then presented the activities, outputs, and timeline for Work Packages (WP) 1 and 2, which focus on Project Management and Communication, respectively. The presentation included the project’s communication guidelines, outreach actions, and expected communication deliverables. The Work Package leaders then took the stage to present their specific areas of focus. WP3 – Development of PROTECHMED Solutions – was presented by CIHEAM IAMB (PP2), outlining strategies to bolster eco-innovative practices in Mediterranean greenhouses. WP4 – Business Models Co-Creation and Capacity Building – was introduced by SVIMED (PP1), emphasizing approaches for fostering the adoption of PROTECHMED solutions. WP5 – Agri Cluster for Eco-Innovative Horticulture – was presented by the University of Thessaly (Lead Partner), focusing on building a collaborative network to promote sustainable practices.

On the second day, the WP leaders presented the on-going activities, internal deadlines and the contribution that required by each PP in line with the AF and the project’s time plan.

The Kick-Off Meeting concluded successfully, providing a solid foundation for the implementation of PROTECHMED. The project’s ongoing activities include developing a database for Best Management Practices in sustainable horticulture, defining the technical specifications for the pilot solutions, organizing local info days, an Innovation Camp, and continued stakeholder engagement, and launching communication activities across the Mediterranean region.

The PROTECHMED project brings together 8 partners from 6 Mediterranean countries:

1. University of Thessaly (Lead Partner) (Greece)
2. EuroMediterranean Centre for Sustainable Development - SVI.MED. (Italy)
3. Centre International de Hautes Etudes Agronomiques Méditerranéennes - CIHEAM IAMB (Italy)
4. Akdeniz University (Türkiye)
5. Lebanese Agricultural Research Institute (Lebanon)
6. Business Incubation Association in Tripoli (Lebanon)
7. Tunisian Union of Agriculture and Fisheries (Tunisia)
8. the Ministry for Agriculture, Fisheries, and Animal Rights (Malta)

This diverse collaboration sets the stage for a transformative impact on Mediterranean horticulture.

Stay tuned!