FLAVOR

In rural regions, agricultural food production has an important place in economic activity, community life and cultural landscape. Moreover, food products and the related traditions, knowledge and activities are engrained in their regional cultural heritage and identity. This regional food culture is one of the inherent strengths of rural regions.

In recent years, consumers show renewed interest in this kind of locally produced, pure and authentic food. This trend opens possibilities for rural regions to mobilise their regional food culture as an asset to strengthen their economy and quality of life.

FLAVOR is dedicated to mobilising regional food culture as part of an integrated response to the socio-economic challenges rural regions face today, such as a shrinking and ageing population, stalling economic development and job opportunities and lower public health levels.

FLAVOR gathers rural regions from 10 countries with diverse, well-established regional food cultures and a shared ambition to strengthen their policies for integrated rural development: Burgenland (AT), Nature Park Our (LU), Hajdú-Bihar (HU), Western Macedonia (EL), Avila (ES), Azores (PT), Marche (IT), Biržai (LT), Vlorë (Albania) and Valposchiavo (Switzerland).

The FLAVOR project will identify and exchange good practices and insights on how to effectively mobilise regional food culture to strengthen rural development on 4 complementary dimensions:

1. Economic development - facilitating farmers, producers and SMEs in agro-food value chains
2. Sustainability & climate resilience through sustainable, organic farming and “0-km food”
3. Health & well-being of rural communities based on wholesome food from around the corner
4. Social cohesion - bringing rural communities together around regional food culture

This exchange will enable the partners to prepare and implement concrete policy interventions, together with stakeholders in their regions, to strengthen their rural communities and economies.