The project in briefGenerally speaking, all Mediterranean countries have in common a dietary pattern characterised by a high consumption of plant foods such as legumes, cereals, fruits and vegetables, nuts and seeds, low consumption of meat and dairy products, olive oil as main source of fat and moderate consumption of wine. The Mediterranean diet is considered a healthy prudent pattern: high adherence to it has been associated with a better health due to the protective effect that this diet shows against various diseases. Nevertheless, deep changes have been witnessed in the Mediterranean dietary pattern over the last decades, mainly due to the increase in energy available from non-Mediterranean foodstuff which almost tripled. Against this negative trend, MedDiet project aims to raise the awareness of consumers about the importance of preserving healthy food traditions. Specific objectiveTo increase the awareness of consumers (in particular young people and children - exposed to the risk of losing Mediterranean healthy eating habits) and of SMEs (in particular restaurants) about the benefits of the Mediterranean Diet (MD) by reinforcing the capacity of schools, local authorities, chambers of commerce/ business organizations and policy making institutions to implement effective and sustainable initiatives for safeguarding MD in Egypt, Greece, Italy, Lebanon, Spain and Tunisia. Expected Results: • Increased capacity of schools and local authorities of the territories participating in the project to implement initiatives aiming at increasing the awareness about the advantages of the Mediterranean Diet among children, young people and other groups of consumers • Improved capacity of chambers of commerce and business organisations of the territories involved in the project to support SMEs (mainly restaurants) in proposing foodstuff coherent with an authentic Mediterranean Diet • Improved capacity of policy making institutions of Egypt, Lebanon and Tunisia in designing policies and instruments aimed to safeguard the Mediterranean Diet