From 7 to 10 October 2025, CIHEAM Bari hosts the Italian study visit of the OASIS Project – Innovative and Sustainable Cluster for the Olive Value Chain, a key initiative designed to strengthen collaboration and knowledge exchange among Mediterranean agri-food SMEs.
Coordinated by the Izmir Commodity Exchange (ICE) in Türkiye and involving partners such as Unioncamere Puglia, Izmir Agricultural Technology Center – ITTM (Türkiye), the National Technological Center for the Food and Canning Industry – CTNC (Spain), CIHEAM Bari (Italy) and the Italian Chamber of Commerce and Industry for Spain -- CCIS (Spain), the project aims to create European Agri-food Sustainability Cluster Partnerships to help SMEs adopt the EU Code of Conduct on Responsible Food Business and Marketing Practices.
Focusing on resource-efficient technologies, reduction of food waste and inflation, and support to SMEs in the food processing sector, OASIS promotes cooperation across the agri-food value chain, particularly within its middle segment – between farmers and retailers – to foster a more resilient and sustainable food system.
The study visit in Puglia, organized by CIHEAM Bari as part of Work Package 3 – Capacity Building & Networking, offers an immersive experience for entrepreneurs and professionals from Türkiye, Spain, and Italy. Participants will be engaged in technical sessions, on-site demonstrations, and peer exchanges focused on the olive and olive oil sectors, visiting leading companies and innovation centres across Apulia.
The four-day agenda includes:
Through these activities, OASIS strengthens the capacity of Mediterranean SMEs to innovate sustainably, enhance cross-border partnerships, and align with EU Green Deal goals. The initiative ultimately seeks to build an innovation-driven ecosystem that empowers agri-food enterprises to lead the green transition while maintaining competitiveness and cultural identity in the Mediterranean region.
