Combating Food Loss in Maramures through CIBUS Learning
Maramures County Council organized the second stakeholder regional meeting of CIBUS project on 31 March 2025. The event brought together representatives of public institutions, academia, NGOs, and local authorities to analyze best practices in reducing food waste and to identify solutions adapted to local realities and needs.
The meeting was opened by Vlad Emanuel Duruș, Vice President of Maramureș County Council, who emphasized the importance of this initiative and the collaboration among the involved partners. In his welcoming words, Mr Vice President Durus stated that "food waste is a challenge of our century" and highlighted the Maramureș County Council’s commitment to play a substantial role in combating this phenomenon together with the partners of CIBUS project.
During the event, participants reviewed the progress of the CIBUS project, discussing the policy instruments in Maramureș County that contribute to food waste reduction, and explored CIBUS communication tools. Additionally, relevant examples of best practices implemented in partner regions were presented, with a focus on the conclusions of the interregional meeting held in Finland.
An essential part of the discussions focus on identifying local initiatives for reducing food waste, actively involving the following institutions: The Intercommunity Development Association for Integrated Management of Household Waste in Maramureș County, "Constantin Opriș" Emergency County Hospital in Baia Mare, Baia Mare Hospital for Infectious Diseases and Psychiatry, Baia Mare City Hall, Baia Sprie City Hall, Poienile de sub Munte Village Hall, Maramureș Public Health Department, Maramureș Sanitary Veterinary and Food Safety Department, the Professional Non-Governmental Association for Social Assistance (ASSOC), the Food Bank Association Maramureș, and the Technical University of Cluj Napoca – North University Center in Baia Mare.
The discussions also addressed food waste reduction campaigns supported by supermarkets, as well as public awareness measures. Participants emphasized the need for greater involvement from local authorities, legislative bodies, big retailers, local producers, and the community in promoting sustainable practices that help reduce unnecessary consumption and the amount of discarded food products.
As a key conclusion, participants proposed to create a guide with useful measures and advice for combating food waste at the household level. This material will be developed based on interregional knowledge exchange within the CIBUS project and will serve to educate and inform the public about practical solutions that can be implemented individually, thereby contributing to more efficient resource management.
The event highlighted the commitment of involved partners and the importance of an integrated approach for a sustainable future. In the coming period, the conclusions of the meeting will be used to shape effective solutions for Maramureș County, contributing to the project's success at the European level.
Maramureș County Council, Diaspora and International Relations Office within the Finance, Tourism, and Public Relations Department is currently carrying on three projects funded through the INTERREG EUROPE 2021-2027 Program:
- "SIRM – Socio-Economic Integration of Refugees and Migrants" (Call 1)
- "CIBUS – Reducing Food Loss and Waste in Europe" (Call 2)
- "OpenRegioCulture – Co-creating an Accessible Cultural Resource Environment for People with Special Needs" (Call 2)
Additionally, on 1st of May 2025, Maramureș County Council will launch the Green Lupo Project – Greening land-use policies by land management to protect and restore nature and biodiversity, selected under Call 3 of the INTERREG EUROPE 2021-2027 Program.
