In a highly arid and desertified region, CARES fosters the development of agroecological knowledge in a semi-arid context. Our focus is on promoting a sustainable agri-food system, from production to consumption, to drive biophysical and socio-economic regeneration. Aligned with the local agroecological transition strategy, we aim to establish a collaborative network of living laboratories that support capacity building, experimentation, research, and awareness-raising in a practical setting.