Open Innovation living lab, in Palermo

The context

The report documents a Living Lab dedicated to the city of Chefchaouen (Morocco), created as part of the European AfriFOODlinks project. The event took place in Palermo, within the Earth Day Mediterranean Climate Festival, which provided the ideal setting for an international discussion on the link between food and climate. The Earth Day Mediterranean Climate Festival (also called Earth Day Med) is an international event that debuted in Palermo in 2025 with the aim of addressing climate challenges in the Mediterranean, recognized by the IPCC as one of the most vulnerable hotspots in the world. The festival, developed as part of the Earth Day Italia network and promoted together with the Municipality of Palermo and a broad alliance of local and international partners, brought together citizens, institutions, researchers, and civil society organizations in a rich program of conferences, workshops, assemblies, and cultural activities.

The choice of Chefchaouen as the protagonist of the AFL Living Lab stems from its commitment to promoting the Mediterranean Diet through a Territorial Quality Label,

aimed at supporting local agri-food supply chains, sustainable tourism, and inclusive agroecological practices (with a particular focus on women’s cooperatives).

Program and methodology

The Living Lab followed EStà’s participatory methodology, based on progressive phases (explore, engage, design, meet-up, follow-up) and on principles of inclusion, dialogue, and co-creation.
The main activities were divided into three stages:

• an international conference on just transition, climate, and Mediterranean food systems;
• a participatory workshop focused on Chefchaouen, to discuss how local food policies can address climate challenges;
• a citizens’ assembly, with recommendations addressed to European institutions.
  Over 120 people attended the conference, while 21 representatives from universities, NGOs, cooperatives, and local administrations
  took part in the afternoon workshop.

Activities and results

The Living Lab focused on priorities for Chefchaouen, enriched by discussions with other Mediterranean actors:

• sustainable water management;
• promotion of agroecology and local systems;
• greater participation and inclusive governance;
• reduction of food waste and circular economy;
• protection of soil and biodiversity;
• support for producers and cooperatives;
• education and awareness-raising on food and climate;
• technological and policy innovations for resilient food systems.

The festival was promoted by: Fondazione Studio Rizoma in collaboration with ECCO think tank, the Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung Paris, France | Italia, the Università degli studi di Palermo and EStà – Economia e Sostenibilità