In the first half of 2026, the SCALARE project's Tunisian partner, the National Institute for Research in Rural Engineering, Water and Forests (INRGREF), actively represented the project at a series of national and international events — showcasing the project's work on agroforestry innovation in the Mediterranean.
In March, INRGREF participated in the Carob Days at the EFI MED Forum 2026 in Valencia, Spain (25–27 March), a dedicated thematic workshop on carob systems bringing together scientists, practitioners and policymakers. The event provided an ideal platform for Tunisia to showcase its role in agroforestry innovation and carob valorisation.
In the same period, SCALARE was highlighted as a pilot project of agroforestry in arid regions at the Désertif'actions Summit 2026 in Djerba, Tunisia (25–28 March), a national summit dedicated to combating desertification and addressing climate change.
Shortly after, the team attended the Zarzis Agroecology Festival (29–31 March), at Ferme Rochen — an international gathering that brought together participants from Tunisia, France, Morocco, Palestine and Senegal for three days of lectures, practical workshops, and field visits around the themes of sustainable agriculture, biodiversity, and agroecological innovation in the Mediterranean and beyond.
In April, INRGREF was present at two further events: the IRRIGATECH in Jendouba (15–18 April), focused on smart irrigation and agricultural innovation, and the Agrinnov Forum in Hammamet (17–18 April), bringing together researchers and professionals working on sustainable agriculture solutions.
In May, INRGREF organised WATER EXPO 2026 (5–6 May), an international water technology exhibition bringing together experts, researchers, farmers, NGOs, and international organisations around the theme of sustainable water security. SCALARE was presented at the INRGREF exhibition stand, giving participants the opportunity to learn about the project's contributions to natural resource management in the context of climate change.
In June, INRGREF marked World Environment Day with participation in two events in Tunis. At Green Wave – Small Action, Big Impact (5 June), organised by the Ministry of the Environment at the City of Culture, SCALARE was presented to the Tunisian Minister of the Environment, highlighting the role of the agroecological transition in the sustainable management of natural resources. The following day, INRGREF took part in the Climate Seminar "Rethink – Act – Innovate" (6 June) at the Cité des Sciences de Tunis, bringing together researchers, experts, civil society, and students to discuss innovative solutions for climate adaptation and environmental sustainability.
Through these participations, INRGREF has strengthened SCALARE's visibility in Tunisia and the wider Mediterranean, while building valuable connections with partners working towards more resilient and sustainable agroforestry systems.
