EXCEL4MED held the first session of the 1st Living Lab in Malta on 4 May 2023 at the Malta Life Sciences Park (MLSP), in San Gwann (Malta).

This event marked the beginning of a series of Living Labs designed to foster collaboration and innovation in the Mediterranean agri-food sector.

The 1st session centered on discussions about the role of green technologies in strengthening the Mediterranean agri-food supply chain.

The session focused on evaluating and promoting sustainable practices to drive positive change in the industry.

The session brought together 39 stakeholders, representing a diverse range of sectors, including public organisations, private enterprises, cooperatives and NGOs. Their contributions helped shape the discussions and provided valuable perspectives on integrating green technologies into the food supply chain.

The power of Q-Methodology in stakeholder engagement

A key research technique used during the Living Lab was Q-methodology, which combines both qualitative and quantitative data collection methods.

This technique is designed to capture and measure the subjective perspectives and attitudes of stakeholders towards specific products, services, or technologies.

By using Q-methodology, EXCEL4MED partners were able to gain a deeper understanding of how different stakeholders view green technologies and sustainability practices, helping to inform future design and development processes for the project.

We look forward to seeing the positive impacts of these efforts and to continuing this exciting journey of transformation!