Enhancing the Resilience of Greek Olive Growers

Following the success of the Open Olive Cultivation Academy’s initial phase in Northern Kynouria in 2024, we are excited to expand the program to the Messinia Regional Unit in 2025. Building on the valuable experience and positive impact in Kynouria, where the program was highly appreciated by participants and stakeholders, the next phase will offer both theoretical and experiential training to up to 50 local olive growers. This will cover all aspects of the olive cultivation chain, including planting, production, marketing, and sustainability. Special attention will be given to addressing the challenges posed by climate change and its effects on olive farming.

The program will be held over 54 hours, from June to September 2025, and will offer an integrated, intensive series of seminars designed to strengthen the skills of local olive growers. This will not only support the growth of the olive oil industry in Messinia but also promote sustainability and innovation in the face of climate challenges.

Messinia, with its strong tradition in olive cultivation, faces increasing pressures due to the climate crisis and declining production. This makes the need for training and support for olive growers more critical than ever. We are currently in the process of preparing and securing the necessary resources to ensure the successful implementation of this important initiative.

As we embark on this new chapter for the Open Olive Cultivation Academy, we invite you to support us in making this program a reality for the olive farmers of Messinia. Your continued support is vital to ensuring the success of this initiative and making a lasting impact on the region’s economy and sustainability. Together, we can empower local olive growers, strengthen the industry, and foster innovation in the olive sector. Your contribution will help secure a prosperous future for olive cultivation in the Peloponnese.

Thank you for your ongoing support.

Following the launch of the Open Olive Cultivation Academy, the initiative has successfully supported olive cultivation in Northern Kynouria. In collaboration with the Municipality of Northern Kynouria, the Chamber of Arcadia, and with the support of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF), the program provided intensive training for up to 50 participants, focusing on key aspects of olive cultivation, production, and marketing.

From June to October 2024, the seminars covered topics such as olive grove installation, olive tree physiology, cultivation practices, plant protection, climate change, quality control, and olive oil processing. These seminars were structured to equip participants with the necessary skills to enhance their productivity and sustainability in olive farming.

The Academy’s success was showcased at the final event held on September 27, 2024, in Xyropigado, where local olive growers, industry professionals, and municipal representatives gathered to discuss the program's achievements and future goals. This event marked the culmination of months of hard work and collaboration, providing a platform for networking, knowledge exchange, and further strengthening the olive oil industry in the region.

In addition to the successful completion of this first phase, the program is set to continue evolving. Looking ahead, we are excited to expand the reach of this initiative to the Messinia Regional Unit in the first half of 2025. This next phase will offer similar training opportunities to even more local olive growers, ensuring the continued development of the olive oil sector across the Peloponnese and fostering greater sustainability and innovation within the industry.

The Open Olive Cultivation Academy remains committed to building a sustainable and prosperous future for the region by empowering local producers, fostering collaboration, and promoting environmental stewardship through modern agricultural practices.

We invite you to support our next phase in Messinia, helping us expand this vital initiative to more olive growers, strengthen the local economy, and further promote sustainability in the olive industry. Your support will make a lasting impact on the future of olive cultivation in the Peloponnese. Join us in making this vision a reality!