As part of the Interreg Euro-MED project MED-GIAHS (MEDiterranean GIAHS – Network of Mediterranean Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems for the Promotion of Sustainable Agritourism), two major capacity-building events were successfully held in Chios, Greece.
The first event, a Training of Trainers, took place on June 16, 2025, at the Chios Mastic Museum in Pyrgi, while an Open Educational Workshop followed on June 17, 2025, at the SuRe Lab of the University of the Aegean, Department of Tourism Economics and Management.
Training of Trainers at the Chios Mastic Museum
The Training of Trainers was organized by the research team of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH) – Project Partner 7 (PP7) – with the collaboration of its associated partners:
- Chios Gum Mastic Growers Association (CGMGA)
- Development Agency of the Chios Chamber of Commerce
- Panhellenic Association of Landscape Architects
The training was conducted by members of the University of Florence (PP5):
- Professor Mauro Agnoletti, UNESCO Chair on Agricultural Heritage Landscapes and former Chair of the FAO GIAHS Scientific Committee
- Federica Romano, Coordinator of the UNESCO Chair
- Marta Allegri, researcher
Also in attendance were:
- Ilias Smyrnioudis, General Director of CGMGA
- Eirini Parthenidou, Head of HR and Administration, CGMGA
- Maria Damala, Sales Director, CGMGA
- Yiannis Karras, Director of the Chios Local Development Company S.A.
The training provided an in-depth overview of the Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) programme, including the application process for site recognition, governance tools, and marketing strategies tailored to traditional agri-food systems and heritage landscapes.
Open Educational Workshop at the University of the Aegean
On June 17, the training material was presented to a wider audience at an Open Educational Workshop, held at the SuRe Lab, University of the Aegean, with the kind support of Associate Professor Maria Ntoumi, Chair of the Department of Tourism Economics and Management.
The session was led by the AUTH research team:
- Eleni Athanasiadou, Scientific Coordinator of the project
- Maria Gidarakou
- Iro Sfoungari
The workshop brought together students, faculty, local producers, and representatives of local development bodies, including Ms. Antigoni Maistrali from the Chios Local Development Company.
Chios: A Strong Candidate for GIAHS Recognition
Southern Chios, shaped by centuries of mastic cultivation and steeped in cultural heritage, holds great potential to become Greece’s first GIAHS site. Despite increasing tourism pressures, the region remains a prime example of a traditional agri-food system worthy of global recognition.
With the support of the MED-GIAHS project, innovative strategies for sustainable agritourism are being developed to protect the landscape and enhance the resilience and well-being of the local community.
