The second co-creation workshop of the EARTHONE project was held in Zagora, Greece, on 13 June 2025. Organised by the University of Thessaly in collaboration with EXUS Software and ELGO-DIMITRA, the session brought together more than 45 participants from public institutions, academia, local government, and the agricultural sector. The goal was to collect structured feedback on digital tools designed to enhance soil quality and climate resilience in apple production.


Practical structure, focused dialogue

Hosted at the Primary School of Zagora in the afternoon, the workshop offered an accessible venue for a wide range of participants. A light buffet was available before the start, allowing for informal exchanges before the structured programme began.

The event opened with a presentation by Prof. Georgios Nanos on greenhouse gases and climate change, followed by the first feedback questionnaire. Participants then split into three groups of 10–15 to explore EARTHONE’s core tools in detail:

  • Scenario builder, presented by Dr. Aris Bonanos (EXUS)
  • Multi-sensor ecosystem, presented by Prof. Persefoni Maletsika (UTH)
  • Info factory, presented by Dr. Lefteris Evaggelou (ELGO-DIMITRA)

 

Each session combined presentations, interactive group work, SWOT analysis, and a feedback form. After a short coffee break, the workshop concluded with final remarks from Prof. Vasilis Antoniadis and a closing evaluation.

Stakeholder representation

Around 45 people attended the event, representing over 15 stakeholder groups. These included:

  • University of Thessaly (postdoctoral researchers, PhD candidates, undergraduate students, professors)
  • ELGO-DIMITRA and EXUS Software
  • Apple growers from the local cooperative “Zagorin”
  • The Zagora Town Council
  • Forestry Commission and ELGA (a public agricultural body)
  • Private agronomists and consultants from Volos and Zagora
  • Regional Environmental Research Institute of Volos

The structure of the workshop allowed for open dialogue while capturing insights on practical needs, constraints, and expectations.

 

Key takeaways

The workshop helped clarify the aims of EARTHONE’s activities in Zagora and strengthened the connection between the project team and local stakeholders. Feedback obtained through group discussions, SWOT analyses, and questionnaires offered critical reflections on usability, technical features, and local constraints. Concerns were raised about potential barriers, but participants also recognised the relevance of the tools to ongoing environmental and agricultural challenges in the region.

By integrating this input, the EARTHONE project can adapt its approach to better meet local needs while advancing its broader scientific goals. The Zagora session marked a constructive step toward shared development of climate adaptation tools grounded in regional realities.