Agritourism is seen as a lever for agri-food systems transformation especially through the lens of the three pillars of sustainability (economic, social, and environmental) and specific SDGs towards a more productive and resilient foodscape , more inclusive of poor and marginalized populations; as well as one that can deliver healthy and nutritious diets to all while at the same time safeguards our food (local) cultural heritage. Through open farms and agritourism we might ensure safe, sustainable, healthy and fair and trusted value chains for everyone. Overall we see agritourism as a tool to ‘Change the way we connect with food systems’ and minimize food miles too. Therefore we would be interested in participating to projects around this topic and problematic .

Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH) is a public University in Northern Greece (city of Thessaloniki-Prefecture of Central Macedonia). Is one of the largest and oldest universities in Greece. Research activities (https://www.auth.gr/en/) cover all scientific (theoretical and applied) fields. The University employs up to 1,500 faculty members across various schools and research units. Among the most research‐active units and the most relevant to the call is the School of Agriculture (https://www.auth.gr/en/school/agro-en/) and the Dep. of Agricultural Economics which specializes (with its 3 Laboratories) into Agricultural Economics research, Agricultural Extensions & Rural Sociology and Marketing, Policy & Cooperatives. The Dep. and specifically the Lab. of Agricultural Extension Systems & Rural Sociology has substantial experience in participating/coordinating many EU and international and national research projects and in multidisciplinary research particularly regarding : Food Systems, Agritourism, rural development and social challenges, as well as rural-urban relations. Staff members are part of academic networks and projects, acting as experts and working with international teams on food systems transformation; see for example:
*Partalidou, M. & De Matteis, L. 2024. Sustainable agritourism: an opportunity for agrifood systems transformation in the Mediterranean – Technical brief. Rome, FAO
* Partalidou, M., (2022). Mediterranean Diet as a locus of a more democratic food system in Book of Abstracts of the 3rd World Conference on the Revitalization of the Mediterranean Diet, entitled “Change of Route Towards More Sustainable and Resilient Food Systems in Mediterranean Countries: the Mediterranean Diet as a Strategic Resource to Accelerate the Agenda 2030 in the Region” 28-30 September 2022, CIHEAM-Bari (session 3 RESILIENCE AND TRANSFORMATION OF MEDITERRANEAN FOOD SYSTEMS: THE ROLE OF THE MEDITERRANEAN DIET:11). https://3mdconference.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Def_BookofAbstracts-1.pdf
*Partalidou, M. & Anthopoulou, Th. (2019). Social Economy and the Foodshed in Greece: Local Pathways and Constraints through the Lens of SDGs. Conference Proceedings , Implementing the Sustainable Development Goals: What Role for Social and Solidarity Economy? UNTFSSE International Conference. 25-26 Jun 2019.. http://unsse.org/knowledge-hub/social-economy-and-the-foodshed-in-greece-local-pathways-and-constraints-through-the-lens-of-sdgs/ (pp.93-103)
* MED Links PRIMA Project Data-enabled Business Models and Market Linkages Enhancing Value Creation and Distribution in Mediterranean Fruit and Vegetable Supply Chains (Coord Prof Michailidis Anastasios)
*TheSeaOfWine _Promoting the Black Sea as a wine tourism destination _Joint Operational Programme Black Sea Basin 2014-2020 Cross Border Cooperation (Coord. Prof Maria Partalidou)