What we do
THE CHALLENGE
MONALISA addresses land degradation and desertification (LDD) in Mediterranean drylands, regions increasingly affected by climate pressure and limited adaptive capacity. The project tackles complex environmental, socioeconomic, and cultural challenges by developing tailored, scalable solutions for sustainable land management and ecosystem restoration. Central to this approach is the integration of scientific knowledge, digital tools, and strong stakeholder collaboration to support locally grounded action. Aligned with the EU Sustainable Development Agenda and SDG 15, MONALISA contributes to efforts to protect and restore terrestrial ecosystems and combat land degradation. By supporting the Soil Deal for Europe, the project advances integrated, innovation-driven solutions implemented through its Case Study locations, strengthening resilience and long-term sustainability.
MONALISA Primary Objective
Identify and promote innovative, tailored solutions to combat LDD in European and Mediterranean drylands. The project aims to provide a methodological framework to assess and monitor LDD risk while enhancing soil productivity across diverse land uses, including agriculture and agroforestry.
MONALISA integrates scientific knowledge, local practices, advanced digital systems, artificial intelligence and remote sensing technologies.
The project addresses the “last mile” challenge by fostering collaboration between researchers, policy-makers, and land managers to ensure the adoption and scalability of these solutions.
MONALISA delivers tangible solutions to land degradation and desertification (LDD) in European and Mediterranean drylands. MONALISA improves understanding of the drivers and impacts of land degradation, including water scarcity, vegetation loss, and soil erosion, across natural and agricultural systems. This knowledge, linked to specific land uses and shared with key stakeholders, supports informed decision-making. The project demonstrates effective and economically viable solutions for land restoration and desertification prevention, enhancing soil protection, water retention, biodiversity, and drought resilience across diverse regional contexts. Project results include methodological frameworks, digital tools, and practical solutions tested in Case Study areas, such as new indicators, land management scenarios, AI-based tools, and Decision Support Systems (DSS). The project also strengthened capacity building through active engagement of stakeholders, scientists, and land managers, while supporting policy development and market uptake.
MONALISA concept
WP1 – Coordination and management
Coordinator
Objective
WP1 coordinates the project, ensures governance, manages finances, monitors progress, facilitates communication, and handles reporting, risks, and conflicts.
In this work package Consortium ensures compliance with agreements through a transparent, adaptable approach.
Deliverables
- D1.1 – First Project meetings Report
- D1.2 – Second Project meetings report
- D1.3 – Final Project meetings report
- D1.4 – First Report of the CS-SC meetings
- D1.5 – Final Report of the CS-SC meetings
- D1.6 – First Data Management Plan
- D1.7 – Final Data Management Plan
WP2 – Innovative practices for avoiding/restoring LDD in Case studies
Objective
WP2 demonstrates the social, economic and environmental benefits of practices and solutions to combat land degradation and desertification (LDD).
Through this WP we will co-design and test restoration methodologies, integrate knowledge, identify barriers and mobilizes stakeholders as ambassadors.
WP2 coordinates workflows across WPs and case studies.
Deliverables
- D2.1 – Review of existing knowledge on innovative practices in agriculture, agroforestry and seminatural/natural ecosystems
- D2.2 – First Report on the results of codesign and co-innovation of solutions to combat LDD in the CS
- D2.3 – Final Report on the results of the co-design and co-innovation of solutions to combat LDD in the CS
- D2.4 – First report on the implementation and effectiveness of solutions tested to combat desertification in the CS
- D2.5 – Final report on the implementation and effectiveness of solutions tested to combat desertification in the CS
- D2.6 – Soil assessment protocol
- D2.7 – Report on the initial status of soils in the CS
WP3 – Building a framework for desertification risk assessment and monitoring system in Europe
Objective
WP3 aims to develop a framework for assessing and monitoring LDD risk in the Mediterranean, providing resources and introducing innovative methodologies.
Deliverables
- D3.1 – Knowledge, experiences, and gap analysis for LDD monitoring and assessment
- D3.2 – Methodological framework for desertification risk assessment and monitoring
- D3.3 – Land Degradation and Desertification hotspot maps in Mediterranean and Central-South-Eastern Europe
WP4 – Addressing desertification through digital innovation at local scale
Objective
WP4 addresses local land degradation and desertification (LDD) by developing a web-based, modular decision support system (DSS) tool using open-source software for transparency and reproducibility. WP4 leverages digital data and techniques to create this tool.
Deliverables
- D4.1 – First Project Dashboard
- D4.2 – Predicting models and scenario analysis of desertification risk and impact of practices
- D4.3 – Final Project Dashboard D4.4 – LDD indicators and mapping at CS scale
- D4.5 – Multi-modular practices-oriented DSS: alfa-version release
- D4.6 – Multi-modular practices-oriented DSS: beta version release
- D4.7 – MONALISA Open Knowledge Framework
WP5 – Dissemination, communication, exploitation and capacity building
Objective
WP5 disseminates MONALISA results, promoting LDD solutions through a strategy connecting problem-owners with solution-providers. It enhances visibility globally, raising awareness, boosting land managers’ capabilities, and fostering innovation.
Deliverables
- D5.1 – First Dissemination, Exploitation and Communication plan
- D5.2 – Second Dissemination, Exploitation and Communication plan
- D5.3 – Third Dissemination, Exploitation and Communication plan
- D5.4 – Final Dissemination, Exploitation and Communication Plan
- D5.5 – Practice abstracts
- D5.6 – Practice abstracts (Final set)
- D5.7 – First Report on the common actions for cross-fertilisation with other related initiatives
- D5.8 – Final Report on the common actions for cross-fertilization with other related initiatives
- D5.9 – Plan for engagement of the Community of knowledge
- D5.10 – Report on the knowledge community activities
- D5.11 – Policy recommendations
- D5.12 – Plan on Capacity development initiatives
- D5.13 – Report on Capacity development initiatives
- D5.14 – Syllabus for a capacity development programme for PhD students
- D5.15 – Case study Logbooks and toolkit on the solutions
WP6 – Technology-market, transfer, growth & sustainability
Objective
WP6 aims to ensure MONALISA’s KERs’ sustainability, foster stakeholder partnerships, and prepare the DSS for market through analysis and adaptable business plans. It develops IPR strategies, aligns sales with sustainability content, and boosts outreach via a dedicated website section.
Deliverables
- D6.1 – First Post-Project Sustainability & Partner Integration Playbook
- D6.2 – Second Post-Project Sustainability & Partner Integration Playbook
- D6.3 – Final Post-Project Sustainability & Partner Integration Playbook
- D6.4 – First Market Analysis, Feasibility Study, Business Plans and IPR Mgmt. Strategy
- D6.5 – Final Market Analysis, Feasibility Study, Business Plans and IPR Mgmt. Strategy