AgriShort - Opening conference

The implementation of the AgriShort (Establishing short food supply chains and competitive agricultural sector in the cross-border region through institutional cooperation) project has begun on the 1st of May 2017 in the framework of the Interreg V-A Hungary-Croatia Co-operation Programme 2014-2020 after the receipt of the subsidiary decision.

The Lead Beneficiary of the project is the Regional Development Agency Medimurje (REDEA) from Croatia. As beneficiary partners, the Regional Development Agency of Koprivnica Križevci County (PORA) also from Croatia, whereas from Hungary, the Lake Balaton Development Coordination Agency and the Zala Termálvölgye Local Action Group are implementing the project.

The aim of AgriShort is to create regional organizational cooperation, which promote local products’ access to markets through the introduction of short food supply chains. The project’s objectives are also to build and foster producer cooperation, to shorten distance between producers and customers, and overall to improve conditions for sales and use of quality local products. Within the framework of this international cooperation, AgriShort will map the sectoral potentials of border regions and the possibilities for adapting domestic and international good practices.

The opening conference of the project was held in Siófok, Hungary with a significant number of professional participants. Actions for implementing the project were presented in details by REDEA; participating organizations of the project also introduced themselves. As one of the highlights of the event, Márton Szűcs, Head of Hungary-Croatia Joint Secreteriat, introduced the first call for proposals of the Interreg V-A Hungary-Croatia Co-operation Programme 2014-2020. Tvrtko Celan, Communication Manager of the Hungary-Croatia Co-operation Programme, demonstrated communication tools and techniques that are expected to be applied in relation of the projects to be implemented under the Programme.

In the afternoon section, good practices regarding short food supply chains were introduced: Pannon Local Product Cluster, from Oszkó and its surroundings, Hungary; “Hetedhét Határ” Social Cooperative from Gyulaj, Hungary. Balázs Csapody, Owner of the Kistücsök Restaurant and President of the Pannon Gastronomical Academy gave an inspiring presentation about the role of local food in gastronomy and quality restaurants.

As an important outcome of the conference, it could be concluded that although the level of development and the business environment of short food supply chains are different in Croatia and Hungary, all the partners and concerning cross-border regions are interested in developing the cooperation among producers, and improving the conditions of local products for accessing the market. This joint understanding and future efforts in this direction may be of particular importance for the emerging regional gastronomy, and growing demand for quality services in the Balaton Region.

Made by Lake Balaton Development Coordination Agency.

Photos taken at the event are available in the gallery of the website.

Presentations of the Conference can be downloaded from the „Downloads” menu of the website.