Upon completion of the «Small Farm to Market II», MedINA is simultaneously bringing to a close an important series of initiatives focused on empowering small-scale producers and creating collaborative networks on Lemnos and Kythira.
Throughout the project, MedINA provided targeted support to the program’s beneficiaries, combining personalized counseling and guidance, training, promotional tools, and access to new growth opportunities. The goal was for producers and small businesses to acquire the resources and knowledge they need to enhance their competitiveness, while maintaining their close connection to local identity, biodiversity, and the landscape.
Particular emphasis was placed on making the most of the Terra Vita certification. On Kythira, the certification process for olive oil producers participating in the program was completed, while on Lemnos, new certifications were supported in both the production and processing sectors. At the same time, the bilingual digital information and guidance platform for certification was redesigned, www.terravita.gr, which serves as a comprehensive support tool for producers and other stakeholders.
The support was not limited to the certification process. «Small Farm to Market II» invested substantially in promoting certified products and connecting them to new markets. Through intensive research and communication with buyers in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, the groundwork was laid for new commercial partnerships and innovative value chains directly to consumers. The certified Terra Vita olive oil from the Livadi Agricultural Cooperative of Kythira has already taken its first steps, specifically in Germany.
At the same time, advocacy efforts were undertaken to promote the use of Terra Vita certification as a tool for sustainable rural development. On this basis, a specific proposal has been submitted to the Ministry of Rural Development and Food (MAFD) to recognize Terra Vita certification as an equivalent compliance mechanism under the CAP’s agri-environmental measures and to pilot its implementation in the olive groves of Kythira. The vision is to establish a comprehensive system for management, certification, and subsidies that is linked to the market. Targeted meetings with other stakeholders regarding the potential expansion of certification highlighted the difficulty of the undertaking, but also the potential it holds for strengthening the country’s active agri-food communities.
Under the pillar of sustainable agri-food entrepreneurship, MedINA provided personalized consulting support to small businesses on Lemnos and Kythira. Through a series of sessions, participants worked on issues related to business planning, new product development, cost accounting, sales, commercial strategy, and marketing, tailoring solutions to the specific needs of each business.
This is a typical, successful example of Michalitsas in Lemnos, a small family-run business that has managed to contribute to the sustainable development of the region, proving that agri-food, tradition, and modern entrepreneurship can coexist, emphasizing local identity. In 2025, Michalitsa—who runs a traditional tavern in Romanou—standardized a line of artisanal products through consulting support and hard work and now sells local pickled goods, such as legumes, fruits and vegetables, and mushrooms, bringing the flavors and memories of Lemnos into the present. The project also covered specialized laboratory tests to ensure the safety and quality of these products.
The Livadi Agricultural Cooperative of Kythira was supported during its participation in Food Expo 2026 through the creation of promotional materials and tools to showcase its products. In addition, MedINA’s communications team provided Aegean Organics with consulting guidance on the effective and professional use of social media. The Aegean Organics, a vertically integrated production, processing, and manufacturing facility for organic herbs, and its owner, Nikolas Paterakis, who participated in the consulting program, is developing his company’s digital presence and showcasing its products.
Another important part of the project was strengthening local partnerships and promoting Lemnos as a model agri-food destination. Through the two-day workshop «Flavors, Place, Stories: Creating Agritourism Experiences on Lemnos», professionals from the tourism and primary sectors collaborated to develop new agritourism experiences, harnessing the power of storytelling, local knowledge, and collective creativity. At the same time, the roadmap «Lemnos: A Model Agri-Food Destination» was drafted, which highlights the island’s potential and proposes directions for its sustainable development in the coming years.
The program concludes by leaving a significant legacy: new knowledge, practical tools, strengthened partnerships, and more opportunities for people who choose to produce, do business, and create in their local communities. Above all, it confirms that supporting small-scale producers and local communities can serve as a catalyst for protecting the rural landscape, the conservation of biodiversity, and the sustainable development of island regions.
The «Small Farm to Market II» program was implemented with the support of of the Ioannis S. Latsis Public Benefit Foundation.
