FRAMEwork Futures

On a warm Friday morning in late June, the historic Monte Pisano Oil Mill in Vicopisano opened its doors to a gathering of researchers, local producers, and community leaders for an event that aimed to strengthen connections across various sectors regionally. Explore the event program in English and Italian here.

Courtesy © Frantoio del Monte Pisano Vicopisano

The conference, titled 'Activities and Networks of Monte Pisano Between Present and Future' brought together diverse local actors united by a shared goal - preserving and revitalizing the Monte Pisano territory. The event was organized by Dr Camilla Moonen at partner Scuola Sant'Anna in collaboration with local organisations, with its development supported by Taskscape as part of the project's stakeholder engagement event series.

This multi-sectoral gathering attracted consumers interested in olive oil quality, territorial development professionals, and community leaders focused on sustainable tourism and cultural heritage preservation. This diversity highlighted the conference’s holistic approach to addressing the environmental, agricultural and social challenges facing the Monte Pisano region.

At the June 27 event, project researchers mingled with hands-on olive producers and millers - while local government representatives connected with community cooperatives and business networks, and the Natural History Museum offered cultural and educational insights. Specialised entities, such as the Monte Pisano Forest Community and the Agroecology Office, also shared expertise on sustainable land management.

Exploring The Program

To kick off, Dr Camilla Moonen from the Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies welcomed participants, introducing FRAMEwork's activities and results. This opening set a collaborative tone for the conference. What followed was a series of presentations, painting a vivid picture of the unique challenges and opportunities in this area of Tuscany.

Olive Oil and Sustainable Practices

Val Graziosa Cluster Farmer Francesco Elter presented on the 'Monti Pisani Olive Road.' His emphasis on the mantra that "good oil comes from good olives" resonated with many and underscored the importance of nurturing natural resources and ensuring quality throughout the production process.

Another key moment came from Fabio Mencarelli of the Municipality of Calci. He addressed the issue of olive grove abandonment threatening Monte Pisano. His strategies for mitigation sparked animated discussions during coffee breaks, where participants exchanged contacts and ideas.

Payment for Ecosystem Services

Mario Pestarini from the Monti Pisani Business Network concluded the morning's presentations with an introduction to Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) schemes. His talk illustrated a collaborative approach to incentivising biodiversity production and conservation. Many participants saw ways these mechanisms could support the community valuing and protecting its natural heritage.

Interactive Working Groups

After a light lunch featuring local products, the conference moved into a more interactive phase. Two working groups engaged deeply with practical solutions. The first group focused on PES as a development tool, while the second aimed to strengthen collaboration among olive oil producers, millers, and consumers.

The insightful exchanges during these sessions emphasized the importance of cooperation in achieving sustainable development goals.

Building Connections for a Sustainable Future

As the day came to a close, a palpable sense of momentum filled the room. The vision offered by Forest Community attendees , 'Shared Roots for a Shared Future,' resonated strongly. Participants departed with new knowledge and connections as well as emerging action plans - to help pave the way for future opportunities and ensure that the region's local natural and cultural heritage is preserved for generations to come through better biodiversity management.

Don’t forget you can follow the activities of the region's pilot project Farmer Cluster, Val Graziosa, via Recodo and its YouTube channel.