Case Study Area Reggio Calabria kicks off activities with stakeholder meeting
The ProPollSoil Case Study Area Reggio Calabria officially kicked off its activities with a stakeholder meeting held on 18 June 2026 at the Department of Agriculture of the Mediterranea University of Reggio Calabria, Italy. The event represented the first formal step in launching the activities of the CSA in the Mediterranean area.
The meeting brought together institutional representatives, researchers, agronomists, farmers, professional associations and local stakeholders interested in soil health, sustainable agricultural management and pollinator protection. The event was opened by institutional greetings from representatives of the Mediterranea University of Reggio Calabria, the Department of Agriculture and the local professional association of agronomists and foresters. This introductory session highlighted the importance of strengthening the connection between scientific research, agricultural practice and territorial governance in order to promote sustainable soil management strategies.
The scientific session, moderated by Prof. Adele Muscolo, CSA lead and project responsible for UMED, introduced the main objectives and planned activities of ProPollSoil. Particular attention was given to the role of soil health in supporting soil-dependent pollinators and to the need for integrated approaches able to connect soil quality, biodiversity conservation and sustainable crop production. The presentations addressed the project objectives and activities, integrated approaches for the management of phytophagous insects and the protection of soil and wild pollinator health, the role of bees as key pollinators connected to soil quality and environmental biodiversity, and the effects of different soil management practices on pollinators.
A technical session followed, with contributions from local agricultural organisations, including APROCAL and Coldiretti, which provided practical perspectives from the productive sector. These contributions helped to link the scientific objectives of ProPollSoil with the real needs, expectations and challenges faced by farmers and local stakeholders. The discussion focused on the importance of adopting management practices that can improve soil functionality, support biodiversity and contribute to the conservation of pollinators in Mediterranean agroecosystems.
The meeting also provided an important opportunity for dialogue and knowledge exchange among researchers, institutions and local actors. Participants discussed the role of sustainable soil management in maintaining ecosystem services, the need to raise awareness about the hidden links between soil and pollinators, and the importance of involving farmers and stakeholders in the co-development of practical and locally adapted solutions. In this perspective, the event represented a valuable first step in building a collaborative network within the UMED CSA.
Overall, the kickoff meeting successfully launched the activities of the ProPollSoil CSA UMED, establishing the basis for future stakeholder engagement, field activities, data collection and knowledge transfer. By connecting scientific expertise with local agricultural experience, the CSA aims to contribute to the development of sustainable strategies for improving soil health and protecting soil-dependent pollinators in Mediterranean environments.
CSA Lead Adele Muscolo moderates the scientific session and introduces ProPollSoil 
The technical session brought together local stakeholders 
The CSA Reggio Calabria team