Monte dos Três Moinhos

QXote is a privately owned social network enterprise operating a 9-hectare estate in the Alentejo — one of Europe’s most ecologically vulnerable and rapidly desertifying rural regions. Through a Whole System Approach, QXote uses Monte dos TrêsMoinhos as a real-world site for co-design, testing and demonstration of regenerative land management, biodiversity restoration and rural revitalisation. 

As an open collaboration platform, QXote connects students, researchers, professionals, local communities and international partners across the Quintuple Helix. Since 2021, nearly 200 students from 20+ nationalities have engaged through internships, research residencies and knowledge events including the International SDG Challenge. Hundreds of professionals and nature tourists have experienced the Living Lab in practice. 

QXote is recognised by the UN Convention to Combat Desertification as one of only three organisations in Portugal actively combating desertification. Without government subsidy, it operates a multi-pillar business model that reinvests directly into community and ecological regeneration. 

Areas of work:

• Agriculture and (Agri-) Food
• Education and/or Vocational Training
• Environment/Climate Change
• Food
• Forestry
• Rural
• Social Innovation and Inclusion
• Soil
• Tourism
• Urban
• Water (Blue Economy)