ABOUT GRECFL2
We help Greek farms adopt carbon farming, uniting policymakers, farmers, businesses, and academia.
The Team
Leader of GrCarbonLab, Vice Rector of Research, Finance and Development and Associate Professor in the Department of natural resources management and agricultural engineering of Agricultural University of Athens. He is the Director of Farm Structures Lab and coordinates the SmartAgroHub Competence Center of AUA. His PhD was on agricultural engineering at the University of Thessaly and the Bioclimatology station of INRA in France with postdoctoral research at the University of Aarhus in Denmark. His research interests focus on the development, evaluation and application of new techniques and technologies in controlled environment production systems (greenhouses, vertical farming systems, hydroponic systems, livestock buildings), the sustainable and smart use of natural resources in the agrifood sector and the assessment of the environmental impact in the agricultural production chain using the life cycle analysis. He has participated as a Coordinator and/or Researcher in 50 national and European research programs and has more than 350 publications in international journals and conference proceedings (h-index 27 / 3830 citations). He is vice-president and representative of the academic / research organisations in the Food for Life platform of the Federation of Greek Food Industries (SEVT), vice-chair in the Structures & Environment Committee of CIGR, member of the Scientific Council of the European Union, in the Directorate for Research and Innovation for open access to research results in the field of "Agricultural Sciences" and Chair of the Hellenic Union of Agricultural Engineers of Greece (EGME).
Researcher in the scientific field of biogeochemical cycles in the Earth system, with expertise in stable and radiogenic isotopes. Her research activities focus on the development and application of scientific tools (remote and proximal sensing) and methodologies for carbon sequestration and reducing carbon footprints in the agri-food sector, validating them according to ISO 14064 standards. She has also participated in over 20 national and international research projects and published more than 30 scientific papers in international journals and conferences.
Dr. Vasilikiotis serves as Associate Dean for Research and Chair of the Sustainable Agriculture and Management Department at Perrotis College, where he also directs the Perrotis College Analytical Laboratory. He holds a Ph.D. in Cell and Molecular Biology from the University of California, Berkeley, and an M.Sc. in Agronomy from Iowa State University. He has recently completed a tenure as a visiting scholar in the Department of Plant Sciences at UC Davis and is a visiting professor in the MSc Program on Sustainable Agriculture at the Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Chania (MAICH), Greece. Dr. Vasilikiotis’s research focuses on Agroecology and Regenerative Agriculture, with expertise in Agroecosystem Design, Farmscaping, Soil Health, Bioeconomy, and Community-based Food Systems. He is actively developing an organic no-till farming trial that integrates cover crops and serves as the scientific coordinator for the Horizon Europe LILAS4SOILS project at Perrotis College. Additionally, he has served as a member of the EU CAP Network Focus Group on Regenerative Agriculture for Soil Health, contributing to the development of innovative approaches to sustainable farming.
The Partners
University of agricultural sciences with extensive experience in EU projects with a focus on monitoring systems for GHG emissions and climate variables in crops.
Role in the project
Leader of Greek Living Lab and Leader of WP5 on Knowledge Transfer and Cooperation outside The Living Lab
Description:
University of agricultural sciences with extensive experience in EU projects with a focus on monitoring systems for GHG emissions and climate variables in crops.
Role:
Leader of Greek Living Lab and Leader of WP5 on Knowledge Transfer and Cooperation outside The Living Lab
Research and educational organisation linking industry and academia, able to design and test CFPs and develop trainings to disseminate knowledge across Living Labs. Demo-sites provider, with available remote sensing equipment for crops and soils, analytical labs, sensors and other monitoring systems for GHG emissions.
Role in the project
Academia and research connection in the Greek Living Lab, leading on the macro-analysis of the implemented CFPs under WP3
Description:
Research and educational organisation linking industry and academia, able to design and test CFPs and develop trainings to disseminate knowledge across Living Labs. Demo-sites provider, with available remote sensing equipment for crops and soils, analytical labs, sensors and other monitoring systems for GHG emissions.
Role:
Academia and research connection in the Greek Living Lab, leading on the macro-analysis of the implemented CFPs under WP3
National association of agricultural cooperatives in Greece, promoting collaboration and knowledge transfer among members and abroad, and ensuring the application of internationally standardized methods for quality assurance (ISO).
Role in the project
Farmers connection for the Greek Living Lab.
Description:
National association of agricultural cooperatives in Greece, promoting collaboration and knowledge transfer among members and abroad, and ensuring the application of internationally standardized methods for quality assurance (ISO).
Role:
Farmers connection for the Greek Living Lab.
Public authority with close relationships with farmers and capacity for decision-making. Authorized Regional Advisor for Innovation, New Technologies and Digital Governance. Deputy Governor for Agriculture & Rural Development.
Role in the project
Regional authority partner for the Greek Living Lab
Description:
Public authority with close relationships with farmers and capacity for decision-making. Authorized Regional Advisor for Innovation, New Technologies and Digital Governance. Deputy Governor for Agriculture & Rural Development.
Role:
Regional authority partner for the Greek Living Lab
Description:
European hub driving agri-food innovation through multi-stakeholder ecosystems. EIT Food is a Knowledge Innovation Community (KIC) of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), financed under Horizon Europe. As the world’s largest and most dynamic food innovation community, EIT Food is building a future-fit food system that produces healthy and sustainable food for all. EIT Food brings all players together (industries, startups, universities and research centres) to guide and accelerate the innovation process that will transform the food system.
Role:
Project coordinator and Leader of WP3 on the Coimplementation and macro-analysis of Carbon Farming Practices (CFPs) and WP8 on Sustainable Project Management and Coordination.
Description:
Regional research and technology organisation (RTO) working in close connections with farmers, end-users and other agri-food stakeholders to promote innovation and technological development in the agricultural sector and processing industries. It is involved in research and development, quality certification, and infrastructure development initiatives.
Role:
Co-leader of the Iberian Living Lab.
Description:
Non-profit organization dedicated to innovative and sustainable food production, working with a broad network of agri-food stakeholders in Portugal, including policymakers, eager to establish partnerships, disseminate knowledge, and drive the implementation of policies based on local farmers’ needs.
Role:
Co-leader of the Iberian Living Lab.
Description:
Non-profit innovation cluster of innovation for ecology smart agrifood chains. Agri Sud-Ouest Innovation brings together most of the economic, political, research and training players in the South-West’s agriculture and agri-food sector.
Role:
Leader of the Southern France Living Lab.
Description:
University with more than 20 years of experience in EU projects, coordination of a robust platform of farmers, researchers, and other stakeholders committed to carbon farming, and soil physico-chemical and biological analyses.
Role:
Leader of Soil Health & Regenerative Agriculture (SHARE) Innovation Lab (in Italy) and Leader of WP2 on Co-development of Carbon Farming Practices (CFPs) and cross-fertilisation between Living Labs
Description:
University of agricultural sciences with extensive experience in EU projects with a focus on monitoring systems for GHG emissions and climate variables in crops.
Role:
Leader of Greek Living Lab and Leader of WP5 on Knowledge Transfer and Cooperation outside The Living Lab
Description:
MIGAL Galilee Research Institute is a leading applied research organization in Israel, specializing in agriculture, environment, food technology, and biotechnology. As a multidisciplinary institute, MIGAL collaborates with academia, industry, and policymakers to drive innovation in sustainable agriculture, regenerative practices, climate resilience, and agrivoltaics. Through cutting-edge research and field implementation, MIGAL develops practical solutions that support farmers, enhance food security, and promote ecosystem sustainability.
Role:
Leader of the Upper and West Galilee Living Lab and Leader of the WP1 on Co-design of Carbon Farming Living Labs structure and participatory approach
Description:
NEIKER is a public research company with strong expertise in edaphology and soil health, as well as Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of agricultural activities. NEIKER also participates in ongoing EU-projects on soil health monitoring (AI4SOILHEALTH) and carbon farming (LIFE CARBON FARMING).
Role:
Transversal partner and Leader of WP4 on Monitoring Carbon Sequestration and Impact Assessment of Living Labs
Description:
Spin-off of the Università degli Studi di Milano with a well-rounded expertise on monitoring and modelling of CFSs and crop variables, performing calculations using software services based on ARMOSA model. The team of CarbonChange is composed of experienced agronomists, soil scientists and software engineers and developers.
Role:
Transversal partner leading the modelling of future trends of carbon sequestrations under WP4
Description:
BGI is a world-class and venture builder, equipping innovators from all over the world with the right knowledge, tools and networks to succeed, creating a more sustainable and innovative world for all. Agrifood is a leading vertical for BGI, and Ecosystem building and stakeholders engagement a core area of work for our teams
Role:
Transversal partner and Leader of WP7 on Communication, dissemination and stakeholder monitoring
Description:
SME with expertise on targeted business models with a certified carbon certificate programme and expertise on MRV techniques relevant for certification processes. Ability to provide insurance to farmers, trade of carbon sequestration certificates, and consultancy for land investors.
Role:
Transversal partner and Leader of WP6 on Exploitation of CFPs and long-term sustainability of Living Labs
Description:
Global leading company in the dairy and food industry with a broad network of farmers across the EU and strong connections to agri-food stakeholders. Capacity to test solutions and business models, and to develop a practical use case with integration to the value chain.
Role:
Farmers connection for the Southern France Living Lab and Leader of a commercial case study and market analysis under WP6
Description:
Research and Technology Organisation (RTO) giving scientific support for agri-food policies in Spain. It coordinates the overall Spanish participation in European Join Program on Soil (EJP SOIL) focused on climate-smart sustainable management of agricultural soils, and technical coordinator of the national programme for the impact assessment of CAP National Strategic Plan.
Role:
Transversal partner leading the cross-fertilisation activities between LILAS4SOILS Living Labs (WP2) and with other EU initiatives (WP5)
Description:
Research and Technology Organisation (RTO) involved in scientific research to promote effective agri-food policies, with connection to national and regional authorities, high experience in agricultural soil monitoring and currently participating in EU projects also related to soil carbon sequestration.
Role:
Academia and research connection in the Iberian Living Lab and leading on the identification of macro-environmental barriers and opportunities for implementation of carbon farming practical solutions under WP2
Description:
Research and educational organisation linking industry and academia, able to design and test CFPs and develop trainings to disseminate knowledge across Living Labs. Demo-sites provider, with available remote sensing equipment for crops and soils, analytical labs, sensors and other monitoring systems for GHG emissions.
Role:
Academia and research connection in the Greek Living Lab, leading on the macro-analysis of the implemented CFPs under WP3
Description:
Association of Agri-Food Cooperatives acting as representative body of the agricultural sector in the region, giving technical advice, advocating for the interests of the more than 190 associated cooperatives and organising regional events and projects.
Role:
Farmers connection for the Iberian Living Lab
Description:
SME specialized in regenerative agriculture with consultancy and expertise in research & development activities to train and support the development of skills and empowerment of farmers, technicians, and managers.
Role:
Farmers connection for Southern France Living Lab and leading the identification of Lighthouses for demonstration activities under WP3
Description:
Agricultural organization gathering and representing farming companies, protecting farmers and businesses at a national and regional level, offering consultations between social partners and the Government.
Role:
Farmers connection for the Soil Health & Regenerative Agriculture (SHARE) Innovation Lab.
Description:
National association of agricultural cooperatives in Greece, promoting collaboration and knowledge transfer among members and abroad, and ensuring the application of internationally standardized methods for quality assurance (ISO).
Role:
Farmers connection for the Greek Living Lab.
Description:
Granot is a regional organization owned by 43 Kibbutzim and Moshavim -- collaborative agricultural communities in Israel. It manages 20 factories and corporations supporting local agriculture, including Ambar, Israel’s largest animal feed mill, and Granot Plantation, one of the country’s largest avocado growers and exporters, cultivating over 30,000 dunams and packing 50,000 tons annually. Granot integrates sustainability across its operations and, in 2023, established a nature and climate venture, Nibbana, to implement nature-positive agricultural projects globally. As part of this commitment, its sustainability arm, Nibbana, focuses on reducing greenhouse gas emissions in agriculture, particularly supporting food companies’ Scope 3 targets. Granot participates in the LILAS4SOILS consortium through Nibbana, contributing expertise in agricultural emissions reduction alongside European partners.
Role:
Farmers connection for the Galilee Living Lab
Description:
Agricultural public responsible for carrying out technical and promotional activities for the development and innovation of the agricultural and forestry sectors. It is responsible for the regional soil information system and participant in EU, national, regional projects.
Role:
Regional authority partner for Soil Health & Regenerative Agriculture (SHARE) Innovation Lab and leader of the evaluation of lessons learnt and business model development under WP6.
Description:
Public authority with close relationships with farmers and capacity for decision-making. Authorized Regional Advisor for Innovation, New Technologies and Digital Governance. Deputy Governor for Agriculture & Rural Development.
Role:
Regional authority partner for the Greek Living Lab
Description:
The Upper Galilee Regional Council is the northernmost regional council in Israel, covering the area between the Sea of Galilee and the Lebanese border, from Mount Meron to the Golan slopes. It consists of 29 kibbutzim and approximately 22,000 residents, with a strong emphasis on regional development while preserving local heritage. The council is recognized for its cooperative and innovative agricultural sector, supporting advanced farming practices, environmental sustainability, and rural resilience. It plays a key role in agricultural innovation, education, and economic development, integrating technological solutions to enhance productivity. The region spans 75,000 acres, making it a central hub for agriculture, research, and collaboration with national and international stakeholders. As a key partner in LILAS4SOILS, the council brings extensive experience in fostering regional cooperation, stakeholder engagement, and sustainable land management, contributing to the advancement of carbon farming and soil health initiatives in Israel.
Role:
Regional authority for the Galilee Living Lab
Description:
Not-for-profit organization focused on conservation agriculture, bringing together 19 national associations of farmers to promote the adoption of best practices through training and technical workshops
Role:
Transversal partner leading the policy advocacy and uptake of CFPs under WP5
Living Labs
