Twelve representatives of institutions, plant protection services and research centres from Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco took part in the RIGENESI programme to strengthen expertise and Mediterranean cooperation in the prevention of plant health emergencies, risk communication and emergency management.

The second edition of the RIGENESI Research Bootcamp has concluded. This training and knowledge exchange programme brought together twelve representatives of institutions, plant health authorities, universities and research centres from Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco at CIHEAM Bari’s Valenzano and Tricase premises. Participants work in plant health emergency prevention, diagnostics and management.

RIGENESI – Science Diplomacy and Communication for Olive Sector Regeneration is funded under Article 18, “Communication and Information”, of the Extraordinary Plan for Olive Sector Regeneration in Puglia and implemented through the Cooperation Agreement between the Regional Plant Protecion Service of Puglia and CIHEAM Bari, in coordination with the Italian National Plant Protection Service. The project aims to strengthen scientific, institutional and technical capacities to address the Xylella emergency and plant health emergencies more broadly through advanced training, international cooperation and knowledge sharing across the Mediterranean basin.

The Bootcamp provided a platform for mutual learning, enabling participants to share experiences and examine strategies for addressing common risks. Puglia’s experience in managing the Xylella emergency informed discussions on surveillance, prevention and response measures, alongside the knowledge and experience contributed by the participating countries. The value of the programme lay in this exchange: sharing expertise and tools, understanding different needs and building relationships to strengthen the response capacities of the institutions involved. The contribution of the Italian National Plant Protection Service further strengthened the link between scientific knowledge and the operational expertise of public plant protection authorities.

A key innovation in the second edition was the inclusion of a dedicated plant health communication component in the training programme, which generated considerable interest among participants. This broadened discussions on the competencies required to prevent and manage emergencies: scientific knowledge and operational capacity must be complemented by the ability to explain risks, communicate the measures adopted clearly and encourage cooperation among farmers, sector professionals and the public. The interest generated reaffirmed the importance of integrating communication into plant health training and cooperation programmes.

Further information about RIGENESI is available on the project website: rigenesi.iamb.it.