On 17 June, at the heart of the European institutions, PRISM Impresa Sociale and the SAAF Department of the University of Palermo brought the Mediterranean to the centre of the debate with the conference “Sicily – Europe – Mediterranean: Agri-food Innovation and the Valorisation of European Programmes for Territorial Development.”
The event provided a platform for dialogue among the European Commission, FAO, universities, research centres, businesses and civil society organisations around a shared challenge: turning research, innovation and European programmes into concrete opportunities for local and regional development.
The discussions, coordinated by Alessandro Melillo, Director of PRISM Impresa Sociale, highlighted the need to build lasting connections between Europe and the Mediterranean, while strengthening Sicily’s role as a natural bridge for research, innovation, cooperation and territorial development.
Special thanks go to the Sicilian Region, which hosted the initiative at its Brussels Office, and to all the speakers who contributed to the discussion:
- Raschad Al-Khafaji (FAO)
- Agata Gulisano (European Commission – DG AGRI)
- Rosalinda Scalia (European Commission – DG Research and Innovation)
- Samira Rafrafi (Tunisian National Authority of the Interreg NEXT Italy–Tunisia Programme)
- Prof. Gaetano Armao (University of Palermo / President of the Technical-Scientific Committee for Regional Environmental Authorisations – Sicilian Region)
- Prof. Carlo Greco (University of Palermo – SAAF)
- Prof. Lamia Hamrouni (INRGREF Tunisia)
- Antonello Mineo (Meccatronica Valley)
- Dr Roberto Pili (World Community for Longevity, IERFOP ETS & MedAge Alliance)
Among the key outcomes of the event was the signing of a protocol formally linking the RÉINVESTIR project (Interreg NEXT Italy–Tunisia 🇮🇹 🇹🇳 🇪🇺) with the MedAge Alliance, further strengthening Euro-Mediterranean scientific and institutional cooperation and supporting the valorisation of research results.
The Mediterranean is not only a shared challenge. It can become the space where Europe, research, innovation and territories come together to build the solutions of tomorrow.
Below is a photo gallery from the event.
