Objectives

Key objectives

Sustainable agricultural practices

The MESA project, which stands for “Mediterranean Islands for Sustainable Agriculture”, aims to promote sustainable agricultural practices and products from three Mediterranean islands: Crete, Sardinia, and Mallorca. Here are the key objectives of the project:

MESA aims to raise awareness of sustainable agri-food products and production methods from Crete, Sardinia and Mallorca. The project highlights their relationship with climate change mitigation and adaptation, environmental protection and animal welfare through the following objectives.

Prevention Activities

Prevention of soil degradation, soil restoration, improvement of soil fertility, and management of soil nutrients and living organisms.

Raise awareness of farming practices that can help prevent soil degradation, restore soil health, improve soil fertility and support the responsible management of soil nutrients and living organisms.

Actions

Actions for the sustainable and reduced use of pesticides, especially those that pose a risk to human health or biodiversity.

Highlight approaches to the responsible and reduced use of pesticides, particularly those that may pose risks to human health or biodiversity.

Increase awareness

Raise awareness about the sustainable agri-food products and production methods from these islands, highlighting their contributions to climate, environment, and animal welfare.

Raise awareness of sustainable agri-food products and production methods from the three islands, helping audiences understand their potential contribution to climate action, environmental protection and animal welfare.

Promote sustainable practices

Showcase the sustainable agricultural practices and traditional ecological knowledge inherent to the Mediterranean region, emphasizing the link between agriculture and society.

Showcase sustainable agricultural practices and traditional ecological knowledge from the Mediterranean region, highlighting the relationship between agriculture, the environment and local communities.

Enhance competitiveness

Improve the competitiveness of the agricultural sectors in Crete, Sardinia, and Mallorca by promoting their unique, high-quality products in the German market.

Promote the distinctive qualities of agri-food products from Crete, Sardinia and Mallorca to support their visibility and competitiveness in the German market.

Support local economies

Strengthen the local economies of these islands by increasing the demand for their agricultural products, thereby supporting local farmers and producers.

Increase awareness of the islands’ agri-food products and their production methods, helping create opportunities for local farmers and producers.

Foster EU Policies

Align with and support EU policies such as the Farm to Fork strategy and the European Green Deal, contributing to the broader goals of sustainable development and environmental protection.

Raise awareness of sustainable agriculture in the context of EU initiatives, including the European Green Deal, the Farm to Fork strategy and the Common Agricultural Policy.

Educational outreach

Educate consumers and market representatives about the benefits of sustainable agriculture and the unique qualities of Mediterranean island products.

Provide consumers and market representatives with information about sustainable agriculture, the origin of Mediterranean island products and the practices behind their production.

Market expansion

Facilitate market access for producers from these islands, helping them to establish and expand their presence in the German market.

Support the visibility of agri-food products from the three islands and encourage connections with buyers, importers and distributors in the German market.

Climate change mitigation

Reduce greenhouse gas emissions, preserve carbon stocks, and enhance carbon sequestration through sustainable farming practices.

Raise awareness of farming practices that can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, preserve carbon stocks and enhance carbon sequestration, depending on local conditions and implementation.

Climate change adaptation

Actions to improve the resilience of food production systems and biodiversity, enhancing resistance to diseases and climate impacts.

Highlight agricultural practices that can help food production systems respond to climate-related challenges, including water scarcity, rising temperatures and changing weather patterns.

Together, these objectives reinforce the commitment to a holistic model of sustainability that integrates environmental, economic, and social benefits for Mediterranean island agriculture.

Together, these objectives promote a better understanding of sustainable Mediterranean island agriculture and its environmental, economic and social dimensions.

Sustainability priorities

Focus on the key goals of Article 31(4)

In line with Article 31(4) of Regulation (EU) 2021/2115, which sets out the framework for eco-schemes and sustainable agricultural practices across EU Member States, the MESA project identifies and prioritizes two essential areas to enhance environmental sustainability and agricultural resilience.

MESA focuses on two key areas of sustainable agriculture: soil health and biodiversity, and responsible water resource management. These priorities reflect areas of action identified in Article 31(4) of Regulation (EU) 2021/2115, which provides a framework for eco-schemes under the Common Agricultural Policy, including actions related to climate change mitigation and adaptation, environmental protection and animal welfare. Through its communication and promotional activities, MESA raises awareness of farming practices that can help Mediterranean island agriculture respond to environmental and climate-related challenges.

Soil health and biodiversity

Healthy soils are key to sustainable agriculture. The MESA project boosts soil regeneration and biodiversity through organic farming, crop rotation, and reduced chemicals, improving soil health and ecosystem resilience.

Water resource management

Water is vital in Mediterranean areas prone to drought. The MESA project promotes efficient irrigation and conservation to reduce waste, protect resources, and sustain productivity.

Together, soil and water priorities tackle key environmental challenges and help achieve EU goals for climate action, biodiversity, and sustainable food production. By following article 31(4), the MESA project supports greener farming and boosts the long-term sustainability of Mediterranean island agriculture.