Project: Socio-environmental shocks assessment and resilience empowerment in Mediterranean agri-food heritage systems: Italy, Morocco, Algeria FAO GIAHS sites

Acronym	MedAgriFoodResilience (Reference Number: 33)
Duration	30/04/2022 - 29/04/2025
Project Topic	Traditional agri-food systems are increasingly receiving attention at international level, especially thanks to their multifunctional role and as examples for alternatives to agricultural models based on maximizing productivity. Traditional agri-food systems developed through the centuries by local communities are still actively supporting the livelihood of local farmers, providing solutions for climate change mitigation and adaptation as well as contributing to the preservation of agro-biodiversity, traditional knowledge and cultural identity. The importance of these systems is testified by Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) Programme established by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), whose aim is to identify and preserve worldwide sites characterised by agricultural systems created and managed over time by local communities, that are today fundamental for the adaptation and mitigation towards global challenges, contributing to food security and sustainable development of rural communities. The project will focus three GIAHS sites in Italy, Morocco and Algeria, applying a multidisciplinary approach linking together landscape structure, climatological studies, social role and biodiversity assessment. These three systems have been developed in challenging environmental conditions (steep slopes, dry and hot climate, and water scarcity) but are crucial for the livelihood of local communities and part of the Mediterranean diet. The results of the project will lead to the identification of the best practices to be replicated in other traditional agri-food systems to increase the adaptation and resilience to social and/or environmental systems shocks.
Network	SUSFOOD2
Call	Innovative solutions for resilient, climate-smart and sustainable food systems

Project partner

Number	Name	Role	Country
1	Università degli Studi di Firenze	Coordinator	Italy
2	Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P)	Partner	Morocco
3	University of Biskra	Partner	Algeria
4	Scientific and Technical Research Center on Arid Regions CRSTRA	Partner	Algeria
5	University of Ibn Zohr	Partner	Morocco