AGRI-TOUR team on Fiji!
Strengthening EU–Pacific Cooperation: AGRI-TOUR Meeting at USP, Fiji
At the end of September 2025, the AGRI-TOUR consortium gathered at the University of the South Pacific (USP) in Suva, Fiji, for a pivotal project meeting. The event marked an important step in reinforcing collaboration between European and Pacific partners.
Main objectives of the meeting
The meeting at USP was not only about planning but also about carrying out key project activities:
Finalizing the Capacity Building programme: Partners actively worked on the educational agenda, shaping the structure of lectures and workshops on sustainable agritourism, biodiversity conservation, digital marketing, and the integration of Green Deal principles into Pacific contexts. Draft presentations were shared and adjusted collaboratively.
Research methodology: The consortium directly tested and refined the protocol for the study “Empowerment of Agritourism in the Pacific Ocean.” Interview methods were piloted, target groups confirmed, and templates for data collection were finalized to ensure reliability and representativeness.
Engagement of students and academics: Students and university staff from USP, FNU and NUV joined the sessions during the meeting, providing feedback on lecture content and participating in preparatory activities. This helped secure their active involvement in the upcoming Capacity Building programme.
EU–Pacific International Office Task Force: Partners held working sessions to finalize the structure of the Task Force, agree on its strategic objectives, and complete the Memoranda of Understanding. The document was signed during the meeting, officially preparing the Task Force for its launch and operational start at the upcoming Capacity Building events in Fiji and Samoa.
Why this meeting matters
The Fiji meeting demonstrated the strength of EU–Pacific collaboration. By combining European experience in sustainable education with Pacific knowledge of local ecosystems and cultural heritage, AGRI-TOUR is building a unique model for sustainable agritourism development.
The discussions at USP highlighted the importance of:
creating training materials that are practical, accessible, and culturally relevant,
building research partnerships that directly address local challenges,
establishing institutional structures like the EU–Pacific International Office Task Force to ensure long-term impact,
and making sure project results will remain sustainable long after the project ends.
