FLAVOR
Regional food culture as a driver for integrated rural development
Project summary
In rural regions, food is far more than fuel—it’s a vital part of local economies, a symbol of identity, and a thread that weaves together landscapes, communities, and traditions. Regional food culture, built on generations of know-how and rooted in place, remains one of the greatest strengths of Europe’s rural areas.
Today, a growing appetite for authentic, locally produced food presents new opportunities. This renewed interest in purity, tradition, and sustainability gives rural regions a powerful tool to boost their economies, enhance quality of life, and celebrate what makes them unique.
FLAVOR brings together 10 rural regions from across Europe—each with a deep food heritage and a shared ambition to mobilise it for the future. From Austria to the Azores, from Greece to Lithuania, partners will work together to exchange insights, identify good practices, and design policies that harness the full potential of regional food culture.
The project focuses on four key dimensions of rural development:
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Economic development – empowering farmers, producers and SMEs in agro-food value chains
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Sustainability & climate resilience – promoting organic farming and short food supply chains
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Health & well-being – encouraging nutritious, accessible food rooted in local traditions
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Social cohesion – strengthening community ties through shared food experiences
Through peer learning and local action, FLAVOR will support partners in crafting effective, place-based strategies—turning food culture into a catalyst for rural renewal.
What will this project change
By bringing together rural regions with rich and diverse food cultures, FLAVOR will explore good practices and foster interregional cooperation to unlock the potential of food heritage in rural development. The project aims to empower regions to strengthen their policies and initiatives so they are more sustainable, inclusive, and rooted in local identity.