Enhancing the Resilience of Greek Olive Growers

As planned, the second training cycle of the Open Olive Cultivation Academy in the Messinia Regional Unit successfully commenced in September 2025, marking another important milestone in the program’s implementation and expansion.

During the second cycle, participants attended specialized thematic sessions covering:

• Climate change and its impact on olive cultivation
• Basic accounting principles for agricultural enterprises
• Farmer organization models
• Plant protection
• Certification systems in olive farming

In addition, an online workshop was delivered by Dr. Tassos Kyriakidis of Yale University, focusing on accessing the U.S. market—an invaluable opportunity for participants seeking to strengthen their business orientation and explore international market pathways.

With the completion of the training activities in October 2025, the program concluded with a final event held in Kalamata, attracting more than 150 attendees. Overall, over 30 beneficiaries participated in more than 54 hours of training. Participants also had the opportunity to join an experiential workshop, which included a guided visit to the Avias olive mill and an olive oil tasting session, further enhancing the practical dimension of their learning experience.

The momentum created in Messinia demonstrates the significant impact of the Open Olive Cultivation Academy in empowering local producers, strengthening skills across the olive oil value chain, and promoting sustainable practices that enhance resilience in the face of evolving challenges.

With your support, we can expand the Academy to more regions across Greece and provide essential training and resources to even more olive growers and professionals who need it most.

Together, we can cultivate a stronger, more sustainable future for Greek olive production.

Thank you for being part of this journey!

As part of the planned expansion of the Open Olive Cultivation Academy to the Messinia Regional Unit, the official announcement of the new program was made in May 2025. Simultaneously, applications were opened to interested participants across the region.

The program is addressed to olive growers, both professionals and semi-professionals, who are active in Messinia. It is also open to stakeholders across the olive oil value chain, including olive mill owners, processors, and traders. The training program, totaling 54 hours, combines both theoretical and hands-on learning and is delivered in two distinct cycles.

Following a competitive selection process, the first cycle of training began in June 2025 and was completed in July 2025. During this phase, participants attended sessions on the following core topics:

• Preparation & establishment of olive groves
• Olive tree physiology
• Cultivation practices
• Plant protection & climate change

The second training cycle is scheduled to begin in September 2025, further building on the knowledge and skills gained in the first phase.

We are also proud to share that in June 2025, the Practical Guide to Olive Cultivation was published and made freely available online. This user-friendly and modern resource was created within the framework of the Open Olive Cultivation Academy’s initial implementation in Northern Kynouria (2024), aiming to support the olive sector by transferring knowledge and strengthening professional skills.

The Practical Guide to Olive Cultivation provides both foundational knowledge and applied advice on olive farming and olive oil production, with a focus on improving quality and productivity. Authored by an interdisciplinary team of experts, it is an accessible tool designed for immediate use by all professionals in the sector. It bridges empirical knowledge with scientific insights to help strengthen olive production practices across the country.

The guide is available free of charge, in Greek, and can be downloaded digitally from the organization’s website here.

We are excited about the program’s progress and the momentum it is generating in Messinia. With your support, we can continue to build capacity, empower local producers, and promote sustainable practices across the olive oil sector.

We invite you to share the guide and spread the word about the Academy!

Together, we can strengthen the future of olive cultivation in Greece!

Thank you for being part of this journey!