Co-Creating the Future of Northern Kynouria within the GOV4ALL & SALIENCE Projects
Highlights from the 5 Thyrea Living Lab Workshops
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Over the course of five dynamic and participatory workshops, Thyrea Living Lab brought together farmers, entrepreneurs, researchers, local authorities, and community members to shape a shared vision and practical roadmap for the future of Northern Kynouria, Greece. The sessions were guided by the inclusive, people-centred principles promoted by the SALIENCE project (REINFORCING Grantee), which supports and amplifies the impact of Thyrea’s Living Lab work within the GOV4ALL project. By introducing participatory facilitation methods, promoting stakeholder diversity, and fostering a collaborative mindset, SALIENCE has significantly contributed to advancing the goals of regenerative land stewardship and community-driven transformation.
The workshops were co-organized by the Doliana Olive Producers Agricultural Cooperative, Meraki People, the Academy of Entrepreneurship, New Agriculture New Generation, and the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. They reflect a shared commitment to collaborative governance and landscape co-creation, as part of the ongoing efforts to restore soil health, empower rural communities, and align local action with broader EU Soil Mission goals.
What is GOV4ALL?
GOV4ALL is an EU-funded Horizon project that fosters sustainable agricultural initiatives across Europe. With five agro-innovation hubs in Greece, Spain, and France, the project aims to demonstrate that co-created systemic changes in soil management are achievable. These Living Labs put farmers and rural communities at the heart of soil health restoration efforts. The initiative is supported by 35 partners from Austria, Greece, France, Spain, and the Netherlands, with 12 Greek partners actively involved.
Thyrea Living Lab: A Historical and Environmental Context
North Kynouria, historically known as Thyreatis, spans 577 km², covering a diverse landscape of forests, grasslands, olive groves, and vineyards. Despite its rich biodiversity, the region faces pressing agricultural challenges, including poor fruit fly management, water scarcity, extreme weather events, and harmful soil practices that have led to severe erosion and loss of soil fertility.
The GOV4ALL initiative, through the Thyrea Living Lab, engages a dynamic grassroots community led by Meraki People (MRK), an organization involved in global open-science movements like the MIT Media Lab-led Global Community Bio Summit. The lab’s leaders, with a strong entrepreneurial mindset, are committed to implementing regenerative agriculture, agroforestry, and eco-scaping initiatives to revitalize the region.
Contact:
Living Lab ambassador Christiana Gardikioti, MRK. Email: crisgar@otenet.gr
Workshops 1 & 2: Mapping People, Place & Challenges
Dates: February 8–9, 2025
Location: Xiropigado, Arcadia
This two-day event combined the first and second workshops, laying the foundation for the Living Lab process. The first day focused on identifying key actors and social dynamics, with stakeholder mapping, storytelling, historical reflection, and the recognition of local knowledge and initiatives. The second day introduced participants to the 4 Returns Framework and the concept of landscape zoning, with interactive exercises aimed at diagnosing the status of natural, social, and economic systems. This immersive process fostered a shared understanding of both the people and the place.
Workshop 3: Visioning the Future
Date: March 29, 2025
Location: Kato Doliana, Arcadia
Participants in this session co-created long-term visions for Thyrea for the years 2030, 2035, and 2040. Through structured mind-mapping in thematic groups, community members envisioned how their landscape, livelihoods, and relationships could evolve. The workshop highlighted aspirations around sustainable agriculture, environmental protection, and community well-being, setting a directional compass for future planning.
Workshop 4: Identifying Needs & Barriers
Date: April 27, 2025
Location: Kato Doliana, Arcadia
This session focused on bridging the gap between vision and reality. Participants explored the practical needs and systemic barriers preventing implementation of their shared vision. Working in breakout groups, they addressed issues such as soil regeneration, climate adaptation, resource management, and economic development. The workshop concluded with initial strategy proposals to inform the upcoming action plan.
Workshop 5: Laying the Groundwork for the Action Plan
Date: May 25, 2025
Location: Kato Doliana, Arcadia
This conclusive workshop brought all insights together, moving the process from dialogue to strategy. Participants collaboratively shaped the core structure of 15-year regional action plan. Topics included:
- Natural Environment Zone: flood/fire prevention, forest health, and water resource management;
- Agricultural Zone: land reuse, eco-farming, and smart irrigation;
- Economic Zone: agritourism, soil-based entrepreneurship, and collective environmental initiatives.
The event concluded with group presentations, evaluation, and a collective commitment to implementation.
🤝 A Living Lab in Action
Stay tuned for the upcoming publication of the next steps for implementation.
Stay connected for more updates and future events!
