The 3rd and 4th Seville Living Labs of the MedDietGo! project took place on 23–24 September 2025, engaging experts and local actors. Over two days, participants explored sustainable agriculture, social innovation and the Mediterranean diet, discovering inspiring practices and real-life examples.
SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE
The 3rd Living Lab in Sevilla placed sustainability and local agriculture at the heart of its discussions during the workshop “Cultivating Sustainability: Strengthening Ties with Local Food Producers”, held at the Ciudad del Conocimiento in Dos Hermanas. The session underscored how regenerative and proximity agriculture can drive environmental stewardship, enhance food resilience, and revitalise rural economies through closer collaboration between producers and communities.
One of the key examples presented was Flor de Doñana Biorganic, a pioneer in organic berry cultivation and Spain’s first B Corp–certified agri-food company. Located in the Doñana region, the company integrates regenerative farming practices, biodiversity preservation, and resource efficiency, demonstrating that environmentally conscious agriculture can also generate shared local value and fair employment.
Participants also visited BioAlverde, an enterprise supported by Cáritas Sevilla that champions ecological production, short supply chains, and responsible consumption. Through its commitment to circular economy principles and local food systems, BioAlverde illustrates how proximity agriculture not only reduces environmental impact but also fosters inclusion, education, and community well-being.
FOSTERING THE MEDITERRANEAN DIET
The 4th Living Lab called “From Tradition to Action: Strategies to Promote the Mediterranean Diet” focused on how the Mediterranean Diet goes beyond food, representing a lifestyle that integrates health, culture and sustainability. At Hacienda Guzmán, participants were introduced to centuries-old olive traditions, while also learning about innovative approaches that keep this heritage relevant today.
The session presented the MedDietGo! project’s main objectives:
- Promote the Mediterranean Diet as a tool for healthy living and wellbeing.
- Support environmentally responsible practices in farming and gastronomy.
- Build an international MDG Euro-cluster to connect enterprises, researchers and communities across Europe.
Experts and local initiatives shared examples of how Mediterranean principles can inspire sustainable business models, tourism experiences, and educational activities. This knowledge exchange underlined the potential of the project to serve as a reference point for innovation at regional and European level.
The day also featured contributions from other local initiatives in sustainable agriculture and gastronomy, followed by a guided tour and a convivial lunch that celebrated Mediterranean flavours and exchange.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Over two inspiring days in Sevilla, the Living Labs offered participants a deeper understanding of how sustainability, tradition and innovation can come together. Key lessons included:
- The importance of linking agriculture with tradition, innovative and green solutions.
- How the Mediterranean Diet acts as a bridge between health, culture and sustainability.
- The role of local initiatives in shaping European cooperation and innovation.
- Forge stronger connections with local producers who are committed to sustainable initiatives.
These encounters confirmed the richness of Mediterranean heritage and the potential of collaborative projects like MedDietGo! to foster change at both local and international levels.
