PR: SMEOrigin connects food stakeholders via new platform
Press release
SMEOrigin project connects stakeholders in the
GI food sector through new platform
February 28, 2024
A new platform for active international exchange of experience between stakeholders in the food sector was developed and launched by partners in the SMEOrigin project, an Interreg Europe project aimed at improving SME competitiveness. The initiative is a part of the exchange of experience and policy learning process whose overall goal is to improve regional development policies and funding programmes for increasing the competitiveness of SMEs in the food sector, particularly through Geographical Indications.
The platform is an easily accessible database bringing together European companies, state agencies, NGOs, professional associations, educational institutions and individual experts working in the food sector. The main goal of the platform is to facilitate the exchange of experience and feedback (both good practices but also bad practices) between all involved in the sector and contribute both to solving individual and local challenges and developing a better environment for the SMEs across Europe. Participation in the platform is entirely voluntarily and free of any charge. Members are free to invite other professionals that may be interested in joining the community. It can be accessed by filling a form on the following link: http://tinyurl.com/d3s5w23t or through scanning the QR code:
At the end of February 2024 project SMEOrigin completed its first year with remarkable achievements. The intensive exchange of experience and policy learning process continued in the second semester. Partners held their second interregional meeting in the region of Western Greece and made study visits to explore the production of local PDO wine, foods and Feta cheese.
Multiple good practices were identified in the 7 participating countries (Austria, Bulgaria, Poland, Greece, Spain, Finland and France) and more than 15 of them were submitted to the Interreg Europe online platform which aims to boost policy learning across Europe. Several categories of successful actions emerged: regional brands as a tool to provide recognition for local and regional producers; communication campaigns and events to draw awareness to Geographical Indications, organic and local products; cooperation initiatives like business clusters and operational groups to strengthen the links and boost cooperation between producers, market players and authorities.
During the second semester, project partners continued to work actively in their regions by holding stakeholder meetings, communication campaigns and participation in third-party events aimed at boosting SME competitiveness. These included participation in academic conferences, food and wine trade fairs.
About SMEOrigin Project:
SMEOrigin aims to improve regional development policies and funding programmes to increase the competitiveness of agri-food SMEs specialised in geographical indication (GI) products in the involved regions. The project will focus on strengthening their value chain, supporting and promoting their digital transformation, reviewing and improving product labelling, while considering sustainable development. Through improved policies, these SMEs will be more able to enhance the reputation of their goods, build consumer confidence, communicate their commitment to social responsibility, and support regional economic development.
The consortium:
Steirische Wirtschaftsförderungsges.m.b.H. (AT)
Stara Zagora Regional Economic Development Agency (BG)
Opolskie Centre for Economy Development/ Opolskie Voivodeship (PL)
Savonlinna Development Services (FI)
Municipality of Calasparra (ES)
INTERBIO Aquitaine/ Limousin/ Poitou-Charentes (FR)
For news and updates, follow the official website and social media accounts of SMEOrigin:
https://www.interregeurope.eu/smeorigin
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SMEOrigin
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smeorigin/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/smeorigin/
Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/SMEOrigin
For media inquiries and further information, please contact:
Maria Andreeva, SMEOrigin Communication Manager
+359 876001840