On Thursday, March 6th, 2025, the second Co-Design Meeting with Local Stakeholders was successfully organized by MONALISA partners GDR Los Pedroches, with the attendance of research partners from CREAF (Centro de Investigación Ecológica y Aplicaciones Forestales), marking a significant step forward in fostering direct collaboration and engagement among stakeholders.
The meeting, held in Córdoba, brought together participants from a diverse range of backgrounds. Attendees included policy and decision-makers, land management and restoration practitioners, environmental and biodiversity conservation stakeholders, as well as representatives from scientific research institutions and technology providers. Local stakeholders such as the Pedroches I OCA, COVAP, IFAPA, CICAP, the Cardeña and Montoro Natural Park, and the Olivarera de Los Pedroches, along with livestock farmers from the beef and sheep sectors, also participated, highlighting the importance of a multi-sectoral approach to addressing soil degradation and desertification
Building upon the first online Co-Design Meeting held in November 2024, this in-person gathering strengthened the ongoing efforts of the MONALISA Project by deepening stakeholder engagement and refining strategies for sustainable land management. The meeting served as a platform for local, regional, and national-level collaboration, facilitating exchanges between policymakers, farmers, technicians, and researchers
Discussions centered around integrating scientific knowledge with practical land management solutions to enhance resilience and sustainability in the region, with a focus on critical issues such as soil fertility loss, land abandonment, erosion, and overgrazing. Through participatory activities, attendees shared their experiences and knowledge about current land management techniques and explored potential research avenues for future improvements. The collaboration between GDR Los Pedroches and CREAF, both representing Spain in the MONALISA project, underscores the importance of integrating local and scientific expertise to develop effective strategies for soil regeneration.
Over the next four years, the MONALISA project will continue with new research and more meetings of this type, with the goal of generating applicable and sustainable solutions for soil restoration in Los Pedroches and other regions affected by desertification. The project aims to bridge the gap between research and practice, ensuring that innovative solutions are effectively implemented on the ground.
Stay tuned for more updates as the MONALISA Project moves forward in shaping a sustainable future for land management and restoration!
