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RDP project database

'The Taste of Craft': Adding Value to Local Products

Summary

A collaborative project by five LAGs contributed to set off the touristic potential of a Danish rural region through a series of events where food producers, artists and artisans together invited resident people and tourists to enjoy their products.

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Background

The touristic organisation ‘Visit North Jutland’ promoted the extension of a former LEADER+ project from the period 2000-2006 to the entire North Denmark Region as a collaborative initiative between five LAGs, namely: LAG Vendsyssel, LAG Brønderslev, LAG Thy-Mors, LAG Jammerbugt and Vesthimmerland and, LAG Himmerland.

Objective

The objective of the project was threefold and consisted in: increasing revenue for local producers; promoting the touristic attractiveness of the area; and improving recreational activities for inhabitants during summertime. The aim of the project was consistent with the content and purpose of each of the five LAGs’ development strategies, as all of them focused on strengthening tourism, developing the food industry and creating new jobs.

Main activities

During the three-year project, a number of events were organised by the project coordinator in collaboration with local food producers and artisans targeting local people and tourists. The events - usually held in summertime in art galleries, squares, etc. - were an opportunity for food producers and artisans to introduce their products, while local people and tourists could learn more about them and participate in their creation. The events were also promoted through brochures and local media.

Results & Benefits

Within the territory of the 5 LAGs involved, about 40 networks between artisans and food producers were set up. The networks contributed to better inform both resident population and tourists about local products through promotional activities (events and publications). In addition to dissemination of information, the project created 20 new jobs and contributed to increase the number of daily tourists by 200 units. These activities continued also after the end of the project.

Lessons learnt

The close collaboration with the five LAGs areas was critical for the project in order to meet the local needs and to ensure continuity of the activities in the future. The way in which the project application was formulated also reflected this approach, allowing LAGs to undertake their parts of the project according to their own capacity. The project was successful in all LAGs, notwithstanding the different starting points and cultures within such a large area.

Project location and other information

The project is located in the North Denmark Region, which includes the northern part of Jutland between Kattegat, Skagerrak and the North Sea. With its 578 839 citizens, the region is the least populated region in Denmark and covers an area of 793 332 km².

Region

Nordjylland

RDP Territory

Denmark

Total project cost (€)

227 882

EAFRD contribution (€)

77 748

National contribution (€)

134 048

Private contribution (€)

16 086

Contact name

Tove Fønss

Telephone

+45 21 77 36 08

Languages for contact

English, Danish

At a glance

Country

Denmark

Final beneficiary type

Local Action Group, Other

Budget range

€100 000 - €500 000

Start date:

01/05/2010

End Date:

01/05/2013

Theme / Measure:

• Rural Quality of Life & Economic Diversification
• Rural economic diversification
• 313. Encouragement of tourism activities

Keywords:

Rural tourism, Cooperation, Leader, Local food, Enterprise

Last update

19/06/2014