Study Visit in Gorenjska, Slovenia
Between February 4th and 6th, Down to Earth partners went to the Slovenian region of Gorenjska for the project’s fourth Study Visit and second Thematic Conference.
Hosted and organised by the project partner BSC Kranj - Regional Development Agency of Gorenjska, the visit’s focus was the topic of Year 2: Access Barriers to Young Farmers in Depopulated Areas. With the Thematic Conference on the first day and multiple site visits during the second and third ones, the study tour was the perfect occasion for the consortium to exchange with local actors, as well as with stakeholders from the partner’s regions, who joined us in Slovenia.
Day 1: Second Thematic Conference and Site Visits
The first morning saw the organisation of Down to Earth second Thematic Conference on the Interdependency between Climate Change, Agriculture and Rural Development, with a Focus on Youth. The event, which took place at Naklo Biotechnical Centre, was the scenario for a constructive exchange and series of presentations from a diverse range of local experts and authorities, as well as part of the Down to Earth team.
Speakers included public officials like Ms. Simona Vrevc, from the National Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and Mr. Jože Očko, from the National Chamber for Agriculture and Forestry, as well as academic experts like Prof. Dr. Irma Potočnik and Prof. Dr. Luka Juvančič, both from the University of Ljubljana, and Mr. Martin Žbogar, vice president of the Slovenian Association of Rural Youth.
It was also the occasion for Down to Earth partners to present the main results from the second Thematic Report, focused on the topic of Access Barriers to Young Farmers in Depopulated Areas. Partners identified the main barriers and enablers faced by young farmers in both entering and remaining in the agricultural sector. They also presented a set of key recommendations for improvements on the topic.
After a guided tour through the facilities of the Naklo Biotechnical Centre, the afternoon gave way to a number of visits to local farms in the areas of Naklo, Tržič and Radovljica. Here, participants got insights into agro-tourism initiatives, trade-mark projects, and climate adaptation initiatives from the local authorities aimed at the promotion of rural development.
Day 2: Triglav National Park area and other Municipalities
The second day of the study visit took project partners and stakeholders to the Triglav National Park area, where they met with public authorities from its various municipalities. Deputy Mayor Monika Ravnik, from the Bohinj Municipality, outlined some of the cooperation strategies between the tourism and farming areas, both key to the development of the region. Mr. Klemen Langus, Director of Tourism at the Stara Fužina Municipality, presented some of the main local collective brands, highlighting their central role in promoting the regional economy.
Participants were also welcomed by Mr. Peter Torkar, Mayor of the Municipality of Gorje, who discussed climate adaptation strategies and the conservation of the region’s both natural and cultural heritage. Later on, at the Kranjska Gora Municipality, Mayor Henrika Zupan provided an overview of the main measures taken to support young farmers in her region.
Day 3: Management Meetings, Škofja Loka and Preddvor
The morning of the final day served as a platform for Down to Earth partners to engage in management meetings, collectively discussing the main take-aways from the study visit and examining potential improvements of their policy instruments. The meeting was also the occasion to lay the grounds for the project’s third year, focused on “Policy instruments to foster the role of farmers and land managers in fighting climate change and environmental risks”.
In the afternoon, participants visited the Municipality of Škofja Loka, where they were received by Ms. Kristina Miklavčič, Regional and Business Development Advisor. She introduced the local trademark and presented the local Farmers Association, stressing the importance of promotion programmes for the young generations. Lastly, project partners met Mr. Rok Roblek, Mayor of the Municipality of Preddvor, from whom they learned about key rural development initiatives in the area.
The study visit underscored the importance of regional and inter-sectoral cooperation, as well as the essential role of promotion strategies for the incorporation and permanence of young farmers in the rural world.