AII-PS Participates in MEDDIET Workshop in Ancona to Strengthen Adriatic-Ionian Cooperation - 16 October 2026
The Adriatic-Ionian Initiative Permanent Secretariat participated in the MEDDIET Working Group Meeting - Interactive Policy Workshop, entitled “Towards an EUSAIR Mediterranean Diet Innovation Network and Ecosystem”, held at the Marche Polytechnic University in Ancona on October 16th.
The event was jointly organised by the Marche Region and the Forum of the Adriatic and Ionian Chambers of Commerce (Forum AIC), in collaboration with Marche Polytechnic University and the Adriatic-Ionian Initiative PS, within the framework of the Italian Presidency.
The workshop brought together representatives of European and national institutions, regional authorities, universities, research centres, businesses and other stakeholders to explore opportunities for developing a macro-regional innovation network around the Mediterranean Diet.
The MEDDIET flagship initiative, developed through cooperation among EUSAIR Pillar 1 - Blue Sustainable Economy, Pillar 4 - Sustainable Tourism and Pillar 5 - Improved Social Cohesion, aims to promote the Mediterranean Diet as a shared cultural heritage and a driver of sustainable development, innovation and economic growth across the Adriatic-Ionian Region.
The Adriatic-Ionian Initiative was represented by Ambassador Giovanni Castellaneta and AII Executive Officer Filippo Alabardi, who addressed the institutional opening session.
In his remarks, Alabardi emphasised that the Mediterranean Diet represents much more than a nutritional model: it is a way of life, a cultural heritage and a shared element of identity connecting communities throughout the Mediterranean. He stressed that, despite its international recognition and well-established benefits, the Mediterranean Diet should not be taken for granted. Its preservation and promotion require continuous commitment, particularly in raising awareness among younger generations and ensuring that its traditions and values remain part of everyday life.
In this context, the Adriatic-Ionian Region, with its shared cultural roots, agricultural traditions and maritime heritage, offers a particularly favourable environment for strengthening cooperation. The MEDDIET initiative provides an opportunity to translate this common heritage into concrete actions supporting sustainable development, innovation and territorial cooperation.
The discussions also built on previous efforts to promote the Mediterranean Diet within the framework of Adriatic-Ionian cooperation, including the Šibenik and Split Declarations, highlighting the importance of regional dialogue and joint initiatives in preserving and valorising this shared cultural heritage.
Beyond the institutional opening, the workshop featured presentations of regional experiences and interactive World Café discussions focusing on three main areas: common vision and territorial strengths, smart specialisation and potential network nodes, and governance, knowledge and capacity building.
These exchanges contributed to identifying shared priorities, opportunities for cooperation and potential actions to support the development of the future EUSAIR Mediterranean Diet Innovation Network and Ecosystem. The outcomes will feed into the Ancona Recommendations, intended to guide the next steps of the MEDDIET flagship initiative.
The MEDDIET initiative represents a valuable opportunity to further strengthen cooperation across the Adriatic-Ionian Region, fostering connections between cultural heritage, sustainable food systems, research, tourism and innovation, while contributing to the broader objectives of EUSAIR and sustainable regional development.
For a detailed overview of the meeting, presentations and workshop outcomes, read the full event report published by Forum AIC.