The Observatory is a non-profit organization promoted by the University of Basilicata and the National Association of Mountain Territory, aiming to promote activity on sustainable development and management of Mediterranean areas highly exposed to desertification (Ppt. Presentation is available in the download section).

It was founded with aims that included promoting research on principles and methods for the practical implementation of the concept of "sustainableruraldevelopment"

ˇ to develop training programmes that translate research results into practical instruments for sustainable land use planning and farm management;

ˇ to make information from research available in a comprehensive and understandable manner to the planner and decision-maker;

ˇ to give advice on the practical application of the principles of and tools for sustainable development.

The Observatory has a strong background in agricultural economics and policy, social sciences, and natural resources management.

These are some of the researches ended from Medes:
ˇ DESERTLINKS Combating Desertification in Mediterranean Europe: Linking Science with Stakeholders
ˇ MEDALUS Mediterranean Desertification and Land Use (I, II, III), 1991-1999
ˇ MEDIMONT

These are the research activities on going:

ˇ SIXTH FRAMEWORK PROGRAMME - PRIORITY 1.1.6.3 GLOBAL CHANGE AND ECOSYSTEMS
ˇ LUCINDA Type of instrument: SPECIFIC SUPPORT ACTION (SSA) Land Care in Desertification-Affected Areas: from Science Towards Application.
ˇ DESIRE Type of instrument: IINTEGRATED PROJECT (IP).
ˇ EU COMMUNITY INITIATIVE PROGRAMME. INTERREG III B ARCHIMED.
ˇ AXIS 3 - MISURE 3.1 - IMAGE: Sustainable use of water resources and rural development in drought affected areas.
AXIS 1 - MISURE 1.2 - HADRIAMED: Harmonious Development of Rural and Insular Areas.

In LoProDeN project, MEDES is working in a strong cooperation with the Basilicata LAGs. After a preliminary meeting, a questionnaire was proposed at the local LAGs and the results of its are included in the LoProDen benchmarking.

During the 2° LoProDeN Meeting, dr. Cateriana Salvia presented the results of MEDES feasibility Study on Local Products focused on the Basilicata Region.