The primary challenge facing the MONALISA project is addressing the complex issue of land degradation and desertification (LDD) in Mediterranean drylands, which are under increasing climatic pressure and have limited adaptive capacity. The project must navigate diverse socioeconomic, environmental, and cultural constraints to identify tailored, scalable solutions that promote sustainable land management and ecosystem restoration. Additionally, MONALISA needs to ensure the integration of scientific knowledge with local action through stakeholder collaboration, while leveraging advanced digital tools and innovations to monitor and address LDD. This closely aligns with the goals outlined in the EU’s Sustainable Development Agenda, specifically SDG 15, which emphasizes the need to “protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems,” combat desertification, and halt land degradation. The project’s focus on local innovation, interdisciplinary research, and stakeholder collaboration echoes the agenda’s call for partnerships and integrated approaches to sustainable land management (paragraph 33 of the 2030 Agenda). By supporting the EU’s “Soil Deal for Europe” initiative, MONALISA directly contributes to the broader mission of reversing land degradation and fostering resilience through sustainable practices through Case Study locations.