Basque Living Lab Hosts Chinese Delegation to Explore Soil Health Innovation in Catalonia
On November 11–12, 2025, the Basque Living Lab of the European iCOSHELLs project, in collaboration with Agrotech UPC, the University of Vic, and the Viladecans municipality, hosted a high-level delegation from the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA). The two-day visit demonstrated the co-creation approach central to the iCOSHELLs project, bringing together stakeholders from Europe and China to share knowledge, explore collaborative opportunities, and advance global soil health initiatives.
Day 1 – BETA Technological Center & Selecció Deseuras Biorefinery
The visit began at the BETA Technological Center, part of the University of Vic, which promotes sustainability and bioeconomy across the agri-food sector and rural development. Delegates engaged in knowledge exchange and brainstorming sessions around waste and resource management, renewable energies, climate mitigation, sustainable agriculture, and territorial development.
The delegation then toured the Selecció Deseuras biorefinery, which converts livestock manure and organic residues into biogas, electricity, thermal energy, and organic fertilizers. This visit showcased real-world implementation of circular and sustainable agricultural technologies, demonstrating how co-created solutions can be applied in practice. The day concluded with a sightseeing tour of Vic, providing cultural exchange and relationship-building opportunities.
Day 2 – Agropolis & AgroDeltaLab
On the second day, delegates visited Agropolis, a 10-hectare scientific and agricultural experimentation park managed by Agrotech UPC in Viladecans. The facility supports innovation and technology transfer, hosting projects such as Catalonia’s first fully monitored agrivoltaic plant, which combines solar energy generation with crop production to improve land use efficiency and sustainability.
The AgroDeltaLab project, presented by the Viladecans municipality, demonstrated Living Lab principles in action, integrating municipal authorities, research institutions, and agricultural practitioners in collaborative innovation.
Co-Creation in Action
The MARA visit highlighted the value of multi-stakeholder engagement, knowledge exchange, and practical demonstrations. Delegates explored how local governance, geographic, climatic, and policy contexts influence soil health solutions, and how successful practices can be adapted and scaled across regions. The sessions also fostered institutional learning and collaborative brainstorming to address common soil health challenges.
Outcomes & Future Directions
The exchange strengthened knowledge transfer and collaboration among policymakers, researchers, and municipal authorities. It provided insights into policy–practice integration, governance models, and the potential scalability of initiatives like AgroDeltaLab.
Looking ahead, technology exchange programs could pilot test solutions in Basque Living Lab sites, adapted to local land, climate, and stakeholder conditions. Living Lab partnerships are also being explored, offering opportunities for sustained collaboration, shared innovation, and knowledge exchange in sustainable soil management.
By Jokin Garatea (GAIA) – Basque Living Lab
Download the complete visit report here
