Jaen, September 12, 2025. – The University of Jaen (UJA) hosted the fourth meeting of the Steering Committee of the European project “Mediterranean Network for the Promotion of Sustainability & Authenticity in the Olive Oil Sector” (OliveOilMedNet) from September 10 to 12. The meeting brought together representatives from 10 partner organizations and 4 associate partners from seven Mediterranean countries—Portugal, Greece, Italy, Spain, Albania, Cyprus, and France—to advance international cooperation around one of the most representative agri-food products of the Mediterranean Basin.
With a three-year duration and combined funding of over €2.5 million, ‘OliveOilMedNet’ aims to improve the olive oil sector by introducing innovative and effective methods and validating novel and environmentally friendly concepts in sustainability and authenticity. In Spain, the project involves the University of Jaen (UJA) through the University Institute for Research in Olive Groves and Olive Oils (INUO).
Institutional inauguration
The opening ceremony featured a speech by the Vice-Rector for Research and Knowledge Transfer, Mª Victoria López-Ramón, who highlighted:
“Holding this meeting at our University reaffirms our institution’s strategic role in a key sector for the development of our society and province. We want to have a prominent presence in all spaces where knowledge is generated, research and innovation are fostered, and the progress of the agricultural, industrial, and business sectors is promoted.”
Also participating in the inauguration were Professor of Chemical Engineering at the University of Jaen, Sebastian Sanchez Villasclaras, and the project leaders, Eirini Sylleli and Vasileios Siomadis, from the Preveza Chamber of Commerce (Greece).
An agenda for cooperation and transfer
Over the three days, strategic meetings were held at the UJA, where partners analysed the progress of the project’s pilot projects and defined the next steps regarding scientific validation, technological innovation and sustainability in olive oil production.
In addition, dissemination activities were organised for the sector, with the aim of involving professionals, experts, and relevant stakeholders:
- A Peer-Learning Event, dedicated to the exchange of experiences and best practices.
- Technical visit to olive groves of different types and varieties of the ‘Picual’ and ‘Arbequina’. These cultures are owned by the Soria family of Mancha Real (Jaen), who are participating in this project with the ‘Arbequina’ variety.
- A demonstration event in ‘PICUALIA’ Cooperative (Bailen, Jaen) provided an opportunity to learn about innovative and sustainable practices in production.
Challenges and opportunities for the olive oil sector
Olive oil represents a strategic pillar not only in economic terms, but also in cultural and health terms. However, its production still faces challenges related to environmental sustainability, production efficiency, and the lack of scientific validation of its competitive advantages.
The ‘OliveOilMedNet’ project addresses these challenges by promoting sustainable innovative solutions based on advanced technologies and the cooperation of quadruple helix stakeholders: academia, industry, public administrations, and civil society. This collaborative approach seeks to ensure that innovations are applicable to a wider range of Mediterranean users and territories.
Jaen, epicenter of world olive oil production
The choice of Jaen as the venue for this meeting reaffirms its status as a benchmark in production, research, and innovation related to olive groves and their oils. With this meeting, the project partners reaffirm their commitment to strengthening Mediterranean cooperation in a context of international reach.
