In Spain's olive groves, biodiversity and farming have too often pulled in opposite directions. LIFE Olivares Vivos+ was set up to bring them back together while creating economic value for farmers.
As Carlos Ruiz González, project manager of LIFE Olivares Vivos+, explains: “Olivares Vivos+ set out to solve two closely related problems. On one hand, the loss of biodiversity caused by the simplification of the landscape and the intensification of agriculture in olive groves. On the other, the fact that this biodiversity still holds very little economic value for farmers.”
A certification built on measurement
The project offers a certification grounded in science. The team measures biodiversity on a farm before any work begins, draws up an action plan, and measures biodiversity again once the measures have been implemented. Only a proven recovery earns the Olivares Vivos seal.
"This is the main innovation," says González. "We do not simply promote so-called biodiversity-friendly practices; we measure the biodiversity that is actually recovering and turn it into a market value for the olive oil."
The gains are measurable. In just three years, a grove following the model can recover between 10 and 15% of its biodiversity richness, while species abundance rises by an average of 40%.
The model is also gaining traction. More than 70 olive groves now follow the model across roughly 5,500 hectares, around 40 brands carry the label, and the approach is already being transferred to other crops through sister projects such as Secanos Vivos.
Presenting the model to investors
The next challenge is to take this proven model further. At the Re: Invest in Nature session during the EU Green Week, LIFE Olivares Vivos+ presented its approach to potential investors with support from the LIFE C2M initiative.
“The LIFE close-to-market support has been very important in helping to understand how to tell the project's story to investors: with a simpler, clearer message, based more on figures," says Ruiz González.
The guidance from the C2M team went beyond the pitch itself, he adds: "The whole process of preparing the pitch with the close-to-market support was very important. After EU Green Week and those first contacts, we know we can still count on that guidance, even once the project's implementation period is over.”
Recognition at the 2026 LIFE Awards
The investor pitch came in a landmark year for the project. At the 2026 LIFE Awards, LIFE Olivares Vivos, the predecessor project, received the Special Award for its work restoring biodiversity in Spain's olive groves. LIFE Olivares Vivos+ builds on that foundation, scaling the model further.
“For us, receiving the special award at the 2026 LIFE ceremony was truly very moving for the whole team," says González. “After many years of effort on a project that is hard to carry forward, having the European Commission recognise it with this award is something really inspiring.”
Learn more about the LIFE OLIVARES VIVOS+ initiative in our project fiche.
The project supports the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030.
How LIFE helps close-to-market projects
LIFE close-to-market initiative supports LIFE beneficiaries in bringing their innovative green solutions to market. Beneficiaries have access to a dedicated support team with extensive experience offering business coaching, advisory on business strategy development, pitching training and access to expert networks, among other services to help prepare their innovations for commercialisation and investment. Looking for support to develop your clean-tech solution and bring it to market? Check out the LIFE close-to-market webpage.
- Publication date
- 15 September 2026
- Author
- European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency
