{"id":21423,"date":"2025-06-12T10:21:41","date_gmt":"2025-06-12T08:21:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.etifor.com\/en\/?p=21423"},"modified":"2025-11-19T15:30:57","modified_gmt":"2025-11-19T14:30:57","slug":"nexuslabs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.etifor.com\/en\/portfolio\/nexuslabs\/","title":{"rendered":"Innovating agriculture with participatory and replicable solutions<\/span>"},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/div><\/div><\/span>

Context<\/span><\/h2><\/span>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>

Despite growing awareness of complex challenges such as climate change and the alarming depletion of water resources, agricultural systems are still often managed by addressing water, energy, and food production issues in isolation\u2014overlooking the deep interconnections between these elements.<\/p>\n


As agricultural water demand increases, there is an urgent need to move beyond this siloed approach and foster innovation by integrating technological solutions and Nature-based Solutions (NbS).
Engaging all relevant stakeholders\u2014public authorities, farmers, citizens, and companies\u2014in collaborative efforts is essential to break down institutional and behavioural barriers and build more sustainable and resilient agricultural systems.<\/p>\n<\/div>

<\/div><\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/span>

The project<\/h2><\/span>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>

The NexusLabs<\/strong> project aims to test innovative solutions based on the integrated Water\u2013Energy\u2013Food\u2013Ecosystems (WEFE) Nexus<\/strong> approach to tackle the complexity of agricultural challenges.<\/p>\n


Demonstration activities will be carried out in so-called Living Labs<\/strong> located across the Mediterranean basin, with the goal of generating tangible evidence<\/strong> of impact and laying the groundwork for the scaling and replication<\/strong> of solutions in diverse contexts.
Stakeholder engagement is central to the project: farmers, authorities, and businesses will work together to identify practical needs, co-design solutions, and uncover the economic, social, and institutional barriers that hinder change.<\/p>\n<\/div>

<\/div><\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/span>

Our contribution<\/h2><\/span>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>

Etifor contributes to the project through a two-fold approach that combines robust analysis with strategic planning.<\/p>\n

First, we lead a Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA)<\/strong> process to evaluate and prioritise innovative technologies and strategies. This analysis considers multiple dimensions\u2014economic (e.g. life cycle costing), environmental, and social sustainability\u2014while integrating stakeholders\u2019 preferences to ensure relevant and high-impact solutions.<\/p>\n

Second, we are responsible for developing tailored business models<\/strong> and a framework for scaling<\/strong> the tested solutions. The strategy includes:<\/p>\n