On March 17th, the first SCALARE Living Lab workshop in Catalonia took place in Vic, bringing together stakeholders to explore key challenges and opportunities for agroforestry in the region. Although attendance was lower than expected, the workshop maintained strong participation and exchange among attendees. The World Café methodology, initially designed for a larger group, was adapted on-site to fit the actual conditions of the workshop. This highlighted both the flexibility of the approach and the capacity of the facilitation team to adjust the process while preserving meaningful dialogue and active engagement.
The workshop generated a set of preliminary insights across three key areas:
From a technical and ecological perspective, participants highlighted the benefits of agroforestry systems, including increased biodiversity, improved soil fertility, enhanced water balance, and reduced pest incidence. However, challenges such as a lack of applied knowledge for system design and uncertainty around species selection remain. In terms of economic viability, discussions revealed that while some products are already marketed through certification schemes or direct sales, barriers such as high implementation costs, the difficulty of competing in markets where consumers often opt for lower-priced alternatives, and structural disadvantages for small-scale producers within current market dynamics persist. Regarding local knowledge and social norms, participants emphasized the historical importance of agroforestry systems and their decline due to rural abandonment and changing production models. Additional constraints include the low market recognition of local products, resistance to adopting new practices, and fragmented governance between the agricultural and forestry sectors.
After identifying these challenges, the participants identified and prioritized innovation actions. These include improving species combinations and system design, developing market studies for new products, strengthening knowledge-exchange spaces, and building collaborative networks among stakeholders. As a complementary activity, participants were also invited to visit a local agroforestry farm, providing an opportunity to observe these systems in practice and continue the exchange in a more informal, field-based setting.
This first workshop also prompted reflection on how to strengthen stakeholder engagement in future Living Lab activities. It highlighted the importance of ensuring a more balanced mix of participant profiles, as well as the need to improve participation from certain underrepresented groups. These insights point to practical adjustments for future sessions, including improving outreach and accessibility, to support broader and more diverse participation.
From the participants’ perspective, the workshop contributed to increased knowledge of agroforestry systems and, importantly, supported networking and relationship-building among stakeholders, reinforcing the role of Living Labs as spaces for exchange and collaboration.
