RDP project database

The project aimed to re-activate cross-border trade of local agricultural products through joint marketing and the integration of traditional marketplaces on which local farmers from the border area in past times sold their own agricultural products.

Društvo za razvoj podeželja med Snežnikom in Nanosom (Ilirska Bistrica, Slovenia)

EU accession led to the withdrawal of former barriers, which once separated Slovenia from Italy and provided a new impetus for cross-border cooperation projects promoting the economic development of the border area. LEADER offered a suitable platform for the joint development and testing of regional marketing approaches to promote local agricultural products, including organisation of tastings and markets for dairy products (cheese, cottage cheese), dried meat products (ham, salami) and spirits.

The overall objective was to re-activate the trade of agricultural products throughout the partnership's rural areas, which once were separated by the Slovenian-Italian border. More specifically, the project aimed to: i) identify the variety of existing local food products and their current distribution channels; ii) disseminate this information to producers/traders of local food products and; iii) support marketing and sales efforts through the organisation of regional farmers' markets and other promotional events.

The variety of agricultural products & their producers/traders was identified by a market survey. Research established the requirements for conducting famers' markets in Slovenia & Italy. Following agreement on the criteria for participation in joint farmers' markets, locations & dates were agreed. Producers/traders, who declared their interest during the survey, were invited. The project's final event, a Christmas market organised in the Valley near Trieste, concluded the project's activities.

The project partnership jointly organised fifteen markets and six workshops, linking producers/traders and establishing a common market for agricultural products from the areas of the three partner LAGs. Three promotional tasting events for dairy products, dried meat products and spirits were held. A 'mobile shop' was launched, which introduced a new form of collaboration among producers and a new distribution channel between producers and consumers. Altogether, the project generated new sales opportunities and facilitated access to markets on both sides of the border. Direct marketing and sales are expected to continue long after project completion.

The project was a great boost for local products in the the area. According to the lead LAG, the sound analysis of marketing possibilities and of the areas' local characteristics contributed to the development of a common geographical name (Zelen Kras) and the sound planning of project activities. Promotional events and media coverage increased the recognition of the project, of the new regional brand and of the individual local food products.

Zahodna and Sežana in Slovenia, Friuli Venezia Giulia region in Italy

87 309

40 810

28 203

18 296

https://www.razvoj-podezelja.si/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=142

Aleš Zidar

info@razvoj-podezelja.si

+ 386 31 339789

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