Welcome from the Organizers

Dear Colleagues,

We are pleased to announce the international conference “Green Infrastructure, Agroecological Practices and Biodiversity in Olive Orchards”, which will take place from 23 to 26 November 2026 at the Hellenic Mediterranean University in Heraklion, Crete, Greece.

GiOlive Conference is organized by the Laboratory of Olive, Vine and Agroecological Production Systems (LOVAPS) of the Hellenic Mediterranean University (HMU).

The conference is conducted within the framework of the LIFE IGIC project https://www.lifeigic.eu/en/

Green Infrastructures (GI) include both natural and artificial elements, such as aromatic, medicinal, and fruit plants, as well as water ponds, stone piles, and branch piles that function as refuges and their implementation is an effective management strategy for enhancing habitat heterogeneity and promoting biodiversity and agroecosystem services. Meanwhile, agroecological and sustainable cultivation practices constitute a key component of GI in olive orchards and are essential for its effective application, particularly considering the impacts of climate change in recent years. 

The conference aims to bring together academics, researchers, experts, professionals, policymakers, and students working in the fields of biodiversity, flora and fauna, Mediterranean agroecosystems, green infrastructure in rural areas and landscapes, landscape level habitat connectivity, agroecology, and olive cultivation. 

Its objective is to promote knowledge exchange and foster constructive dialogue on current challenges and future perspectives related to these thematic areas.

Both oral and poster presentations are welcome.

Sessions at the conference include:

1. Mediterranean Agroecosystems
2. Green Infrastructure and Connectivity
3. Agroecological Practices Supporting Green Infrastructure and Biodiversity
4. Olive Orchard Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services
5. Oleotourism and Gastronomy
6. Policies for Green Infrastructure and High Nature Value Orchards

We kindly ask you to save the dates and share this event with colleagues who may be interested. 

We look forward to welcoming you in Heraklion in November 2026!

For abstract submission or further information, please contact us at: giolive@hmu.gr

Sessions

Instructions for Authors

Abstract Submission

Green infrastructure, agroecological practices and biodiversity in olive orchards (GIolive)  accepts abstract submissions only. Accepted abstracts will be available online during and after the conference. 

The conference will be held entirely in person; online  participate will not possible. Please note that abstract submission and conference registration are two separate processes. Please use your institutional email address for both processes.

To present your research at the event

• • SEND YOUR ABSTRACT at this email: giolive@hmu.gr.
  • Choose a session that  best suits your research.
  • Submit an abstract in English. The abstract must be between 250 and 300 words. 
  • The deadline to submit your abstract is 31 July 2026.
  • Upon submission, you can select if you wish to be considered for oral or poster presentation. Following evaluation by the Session Chairs and the Scientific Committee, you will be notified by 15 September 2026 whether your contribution has been accepted. 
  • Please note that, in order to finalize the scientific program in due time, at least one author must registrated as Covering Author, to cover the presentation and publication of any accepted abstract. The Covering Author registration deadline is 20 October 2026. Abstracts will be withdrawn if  registration is not completed by this date.
  • Abstract's structure should include the introduction, methods, results, and conclusions sections.
  • All abstracts accepted for presentation will be collected in a Book of Abstracts, which will be made available on the conference website during the event.

Oral presentations

• • Authors are encouraged to prepare their presentations using PowerPoint or similar software. 
  • Please note that all presentations must be delivered in English.

Poster presentations

• • Each presenter will be provided with a vertical poster board. 
  • The Maximum poster size is limited to A0: 84 x 120 cm / 33 x 47 in (width x height) in the vertical orientation (portrait). 
  • Please print your poster prior to the conference.

Sponsorship Opportunities

As organizers, we are excited to create an immersive and insightful conference, and we invite you to be a valued and vital part of GIolive2026. 

Every sponsorship includes:

• • Your company’s logo featured on the conference website, book of abstracts, and program. 
  • The opportunity to distributie your company’s promotional items.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact us via email at polychroniadou@hmu.gr.

Venue, Travel and Accommodation

HMU, Hellenic Mediterranean University

About the venue
The Department of Agriculture belongs to the School of Agricultural Sciences of the Hellenic Mediterranean University (HMU). It was established by Law 4610/2019, and its academic operation began in the fall semester of the academic year 2019-2020. The Department’s goal is to provide quality education to undergraduate students in key branches of Agricultural Science through its new 5-year Undergraduate Program (Bachelor’s) and relevant majors, as well as through its independent Master’s Degree Program. The Department has also offered doctorate (Ph.D.) degree programs both independent as well as in collaboration with other Universities since October 2019.

You can find useful information for the Department Agriculture on the website https://agro.hmu.gr.

Laboratory of Olive, Vine and Agroecological Production Systems

The Laboratory of Olive, Vine and Agroecological Production Systems (LOVAPS ) of the Department of Agriculture within the School of Agricultural Sciences at the Hellenic Mediterranean University serves the academic, research, educational, advisory, and training needs related to olive production, viticulture, and pomology.

The purpose of the Laboratory is to meet the Department's research and teaching needs at all levels (undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, and postdoctoral) and to support the olive and vine production sectors, which are significant from agroecological, economic, and social perspectives. Specifically, the Laboratory focuses on olive production, viticulture, and organic agriculture through the advancement of agroecological science and the provision of high-level research in agroecology, sustainable agriculture, viticulture, olive production, and the production of other Mediterranean tree crops.

Conference Location

• • Rooms: Amfitheatro and Room Δ of School of Health Sciences
  • Address: Estavromenos, 71410 Heraklion, Crete, Greece

Travel

You can reach Heraklion by plane. Heraklion Airport Nikos Kazantzakis is located 2 kilometers from the center of Heraklion, in the Nea Alikarnassos Community.
For more information please visit the website https://www.heraklion-airport.info/. 

Airport Transfers

• • By bus: The bus station id located outside the airport grounds on the central rode. Buses arrive very frequently and you can choose from the lines 5, 6, 10, 12, 15 depending on your final destination.
    For more information please visit the website https://astiko-irakleiou.gr/en/. 
  • By taxi: Taxis are available outside the arrivals area. A trip to the city center takes about 15 minutes.

Reaching the Conference Venue

• • By bus: You can use lines 1 and 7 to reach Hellenic Mediterranean University (ΕΛ.ΜΕ.ΠΑ.) and also go back to the city center.
  • By taxi: Taxis offer a convenient door-to-door option from the city center to the conference venue. 

Accommodation

We want your stay in Heraklion during the conference to be as comfortable as possible. 

Please book your accommodation online or contact the hotels directly with any issues or requests related to accommodation bookings. In addition, numerous apartments and short-term rental properties are available throughout the city of Heraklion.

Here are some hotel recommendations: