Co-creation Event Orihuela, Alicante (ES)

Between May 2025 and March 2026, several co-creation activities were carried out across the RAINS pilot areas in Greece and Spain, as well as at the European level. A total of seven co-creation events were organized: three in-person workshops in Greece (Thessaloniki and Lesvos), three in-person workshops in Spain (Guardamar, Orihuela, and Polinyà de Xúquer), and one online workshop involving European stakeholders. Participants included farmers, agricultural advisors, academics, irrigation organizations, policymakers, business actors and NGOs representing the full agricultural value chain in the targeted areas.

The second Spanish workshop took place in Orihuela with 30 participants. The inclusion of academic participants enriched the technical dimension of the discussions, particularly regarding the performance evidence base for biofertilizers, compost bricks, and the Optifangs-IA system. Stakeholders from irrigation associations contributed an important institutional perspective, highlighting the operational constraints and water governance challenges specific to the Valencia region. The Spanish co-creation activities were led by UMH (Universidad Miguel Hernández de Elche).