The ReMedi project has officially kicked off with the ambition of transforming the way Mediterranean rice-growing landscapes are managed. Funded under the PRIMA Partnership, the project will work over the next three years to strengthen the resilience of rice production systems by bringing together agriculture, biodiversity conservation, water management, and climate action.
Mediterranean rice-growing regions face increasing challenges related to climate change, water scarcity, biodiversity loss, and the degradation of wetland ecosystems. While rice paddies and wetlands are closely connected through water, ecological processes, and wildlife habitats, they have traditionally been managed as separate systems. ReMedi aims to bridge this gap by promoting an integrated approach that benefits both agricultural production and nature conservation.
The project will develop and test innovative solutions in Spain, Italy, Egypt, and Türkiye, combining organic and biodynamic farming practices, improved water management strategies, and measures to enhance biodiversity. By treating rice paddies and surrounding wetlands as a single interconnected socio-ecological system, ReMedi seeks to demonstrate how food production can go hand in hand with healthier ecosystems and greater resilience to climate change.
A central element of the project is collaboration. Farmers, researchers, NGOs, policymakers, and other stakeholders will work together through participatory processes and Living Labs to co-design and validate solutions adapted to local needs and environmental conditions. This collaborative approach will help ensure that the project’s outcomes are practical, scalable, and applicable across different Mediterranean contexts.
Coordinated by Eurecat, ReMedi brings together a multidisciplinary consortium of ten partners from five countries: SEO/BirdLife, Merckens Development Support GmbH, Heliopolis University, Organic Egypt Foundation, Polyculturae, Università degli Studi di Torino, ACRA ETS, Rete Semi Rurale ETS, and Doğa Derneği. Together, the partners contribute expertise in agroecology, wetland conservation, biodiversity monitoring, sustainable agriculture, and stakeholder engagement.
By the end of the project, ReMedi aims to deliver innovative management models and practical recommendations that support more sustainable rice production, healthier wetlands, and stronger climate resilience throughout the Mediterranean region.