tOwaRds cIrcular Economy iN The AgriculTural sEctor
In the Mediterranean region, agriculture is vulnerable, and sustainability is always under threat. Drawing inspiration from the innovative practices of pioneering Italian and Spanish partners, cutting-edge circular economy models will be used to revolutionize waste management. The ORIENTATE project will develop targeted solutions to waste streams generated by olive oil extraction and citrus fruit processing. It will establish three pilot labs in Jordan, Türkiye, and Lebanon, each focusing on converting agricultural by-products like Citrus Pulp Depectinized (CPD) and Olive pomace into animal feed and cosmetics ingredients, promoting a circular economy.
Why the project matters
With olives and citrus crops serving as pillars of Mediterranean agriculture, covering over 10 million hectares combined, the project targets a substantial source of waste. By processing this waste, the project will minimize environmental impact and taps into carbon sequestration, enhancing the region’s resilience against climate change.
The project will create an impact on three levels: technical, societal and regulatory.
On the technical level, it will leverage state-of-the-art technologies and best practices from European Union Mediterranean Countries to Mediterranean Partner Countries.
On the societal level, it will catalyze transformative change in societal perception towards waste to embrace it as a valuable, reusable resource.
On the regulatory level ORIENTATE will sign Memoranda of Understandings with public authorities. The latter will acknowledge the shift towards a circular and resource-efficient economy. They should commit to supporting the regulatory framework by delineating rules, responsibilities and incentives to propel the adoption of green agricultural practices for territorial development.
What it aims to achieve
• To implement circular economy solutions in Jordan, Lebanon and Türkiye by developing pilot labs that convert agricultural waste, olive pomace and citrus pulp, into products for feed and cosmetics.
• To encourage the active participation of citizens, civil society organizations, farms and public authorities in the transition to a circular and resource-efficient economy by raising awareness of agricultural bio-based products
• To promote public and institutional awareness and commitment through training, job-shadowing, and the signing of six strategic Memoranda of Understanding with key regional actors.
Expected change
• Over 550 people engaged in project activities, including 90 trained professionals.
• Bio-based products derived from citrus pulp and olive pomace reach markets for feed and cosmetics.
• Regional authorities and industries formally committed to circular models
• Mediterranean circular agriculture is scaled-up through Mediterranean synergies.
What the project delivers
• 3 pilot labs transforming citrus and olive waste into commercial bioproducts.
• Transnational training, workshops, and job-shadowing organized in Italy and Spain.
• Technical manuals, feasibility studies, and scaling-up plans developed
• Tools and curricula from past EU projects reused and adapted.
• Public awareness campaigns and multi-stakeholder partnerships forged.
Who benefits
• Farmers, feed manufacturing industries, agricultural operators, organizations of meat chain, feed mills owners, food industries, vegetable oil producers, representative of cosmetic industries in Türkiye, Jordan, and Lebanon.
• 550+ individuals including trainees, local authorities, and citizens.
• Public and private entities operating in the citrus processing and olive processing supply chain
• Local communities
• Public authorities adopting policy shifts supporting circular economy.
DURATION
Start Date: 11/12/2025
End Date: 12/12/2028
https://www.interregnextmed.eu/project-page/orientate/about/