30/06/2026
GALILEO 4th project meeting: Strengthening coordination for the next phase of sustainable agroforestry innovation
The GALILEO project, funded by the European Union’s Horizon Europe programme under Grant Agreement No. 101181623, held its 4th project meeting online on 18 and 19 June 2026. Organised by CIRAD, the meeting brought together partners from Africa and Europe to review progress, exchange knowledge and align the next steps towards resilient, inclusive and sustainable agroforestry systems in Sub Saharan Africa.
Over the course of two days, the consortium discussed the progress achieved across the project’s Living Labs in Senegal, Kenya, Ghana and Cameroon. Partners shared updates on co-creation activities, local partnerships, farmer engagement, field experimentation and knowledge sharing. These exchanges highlighted the value of the Living Lab approach in bringing together farmers, researchers, advisors and local stakeholders to jointly explore agroforestry innovations adapted to diverse local contexts.
A particular focus was placed on the transition from planning to field implementation. Partners discussed the continued development of Farmer Field Schools, which will support practical learning, peer exchange and the testing of agroforestry practices directly with farmers and local actors. The meeting also helped align upcoming field activities with the collection of agronomic, environmental and socio economic information, ensuring that GALILEO’s work remains grounded in local realities and useful for the communities involved.
The meeting also provided an opportunity to strengthen links between field activities and the broader scientific work of GALILEO. Partners discussed ongoing and upcoming activities related to climate change adaptation and mitigation, biodiversity, ecosystem services, sustainable income generation, carbon farming, spatial characterisation and multi criteria assessment. Specific exchanges also covered work on soil biodiversity, natural pest regulation, pollination and cultural ecosystem services, reflecting the project’s integrated approach to understanding the benefits of agroforestry for both people and ecosystems.
A dedicated session focused on ethical aspects, including informed consent, benefit sharing and responsible data management. This underlined the project’s commitment to conducting research and innovation activities in a transparent, inclusive and responsible way, with strong attention to the needs and rights of local communities.
The meeting also featured several short presentations by GALILEO PhD students, who shared their ongoing research and explained how their work contributes to the project’s wider objectives. Their contributions reflected the project’s strong emphasis on capacity building, scientific exchange and the active involvement of young researchers across the consortium.
Communication, dissemination and exploitation activities were also discussed, with partners reviewing progress in sharing GALILEO’s results and strengthening the visibility of the project. The consortium also explored ways to improve information flows across Living Labs, countries and thematic activities, including the use of visual tools to better illustrate connections between innovations, scenarios and expected impacts.
The meeting concluded with a strong sense of shared commitment and a clear direction for the coming months. GALILEO partners will continue working together to advance Living Lab activities, support farmer centred experimentation, strengthen knowledge exchange and prepare the next stages of the project. The consortium also looked ahead to the next Advisory Board exchanges and the next project meeting, planned to take place in Kenya in early 2027.
Stay tuned for more updates.
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