Our partner Aybike Bayraktar (CIHEAM-IAMM) presented EXCEL4MED during a technical visit to CIHEAM Montpellier within the framework of the Türkiye Resilient Landscape Integration Project (TULIP Projesi).
The visit, held on 24 November 2025, brought together representatives from several units of the Turkish Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, creating a valuable space for dialogue between research initiatives and policy stakeholders.
During the visit, two EU-funded projects were showcased: EXCEL4MED and NPP-SOL, offering complementary perspectives on innovation, sustainability and environmental protection in Mediterranean agri-food systems.
The NPP-SOL project addresses agricultural pollution in water resources, combining modelling approaches with site-specific Best Management Practices to reduce nutrient losses and improve soil and water management.
Presenting both projects together highlighted the strong interconnections between agri-food innovation, environmental protection, and sustainable land and water management. These dimensions are increasingly inseparable when addressing shared Mediterranean challenges, such as climate change, resource scarcity, and land and water degradation.
Bridging research and policy
The technical visit to CIHEAM Montpellier demonstrated the importance of bridging research outcomes with policy needs.
Exchanges with representatives from the Turkish Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry underlined how EU-funded projects like EXCEL4MED can inform policy discussions, support evidence-based decision-making and contribute to more resilient Mediterranean landscapes.
Thanks to direct collaboration with policymakers from other Mediterranean countries, EXCEL4MED continues to strengthen its role as a platform for collaboration and knowledge exchange across the region.
