EXCEL4MED brings together 14 organisations from Greece, Malta and France, and their mix is deliberate. The project follows the Quadruple Helix approach, in which innovation works best when four worlds join forces: academia, industry, public authorities and civil society.

Universities and research centres develop the science behind new food ingredients and products. Companies and business networks test those ideas in real conditions and judge whether they can succeed in the market. Public bodies and agencies connect the work with regional and national priorities and help turn results into policy. Cooperatives and consumer organisations bring in the voices of the people who grow, buy and eat the fruit.

Together, these partners combine complementary expertise from three countries to strengthen the citrus and pomegranate supply chains.