Members of the Kythera Smart Village Lab, “KYTHERIAN LAND – Our Land, Our Food”, came together on the 13^th and 27^th of May 2026 during two local User-Innovation Workshops to co-design practical solutions that strengthen the island’s agricultural sector and support a more resilient local economy.

Building on priorities identified through previous discussions with local stakeholders, participants focused on actions that promote cooperation among producers, enhance the visibility of local products, and strengthen Kythera’s agri-food identity. The workshops marked an important transition from identifying local challenges to developing concrete, community-led solutions.

Among the priorities selected were the development of a shared agricultural narrative for Kythera, initiatives to promote the island’s high-quality local products, and the exploration of new forms of collaboration among producers and local organisations. Participants also highlighted the need for improved technical support, and stronger links between producers, businesses, and the wider community to address challenges.

The Smart Village Lab, hosted by the Kytherian Foundation for Culture and Development (KIPA), will continue to serve as an open platform where farmers, cooperatives, agronomists, local organisations, and citizens work together to develop innovative, place-based solutions for the island’s agri-food sector.

During the workshop, participants also explored inspiring examples from the INSPIRE Atlas of Social Services and Social Economy Initiatives and used participatory tools for idea generation, prioritisation and decision-making.

The workshops are part of a broader series of User Innovation and Capacity Building Workshops guided by MedINA and implemented by the pilot partners in the smart village labs. By placing local people at the centre of decision-making and innovation, INSPIRE supports rural communities in co-creating solutions that reflect their own needs, strengths, and aspirations, laying the foundations for more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable rural development.

🔗More information on the workshops (also available in Greek) here.

🔗More information on the establishment of the lab (also available in Greek) here.