Coordinated Optimization for Sustainable Mediterranean Agroforestry with Truffles and High-Value Species – COSMOS

We are currently witnessing a growing demand for natural, sustainable food produced without the use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers, which can affect human health and ecosystem services. Furthermore, factors such as climate change, urbanization, industrialization, and over-tourism are leading to the loss of natural productive areas as well as threatening agricultural productivity, especially in the Mediterranean area. The unpredictability of production in agriculture often requires substantial financial intervention to maintain profitable levels, which can discourage farmers and contribute to rural depopulation.
By refining existing practices and pioneering new agroforestry techniques, the COSMOS project addresses these challenges while also enhancing livelihoods, diversifying income sources, fostering novel business strategies and models, optimizing water use and improving soil health to ensure sustainable land use and climate resilience. Moreover, by integrating high-value species such as truffles, aromatic and medicinal plants, and species for pollen/honey production on the same agricultural land not only opens up new avenues for sustainable tourism but also strengthens rural economies.
Ten demonstration sites across Spain, Croatia, Turkey, Italy, and France will serve as showcases for innovative agricultural practices. Stakeholders will actively participate in the implementation of Living Labs through a multi-actor approach, with a particular emphasis on empowering women within the agroforestry sector. By leveraging existing rural development programs and aligning with policies such as the Common Agricultural Policy and the Soil Deal for Europe, the project aims to accelerate the adoption of agroforestry practices. Furthermore, collaboration with complementary initiatives will amplify the project's impact, facilitating the transition toward more sustainable food systems.