LT-LV-LF

The project builds on the results of Local Tastes-Local Valus crossborder project that aimed at broadening the knowledge base, strengthening the actors' significance via cooperation and setting the foundations of a social economic network. This current project continues the strives of LT-LV, focusing more on the promotion and the marketing development of local products on national and on crossborder level. The first pillar of the project is the creation of a knowledge platform. After assessing the needs of local economic actors, partners will update the existing databases from LT-LV project and implement 4 Creative Workshops, in order to enhance the economic effectiveness of social cooperatives and local producers. The second pillar is the service development of local product marketing, including the preparation of a Visual guideline and marketing strategy and a Handbook for local producers that guides them through the processes and services offered by the Local Product Centres. Partners will also organise the participation of local producers on fairs in Hungary and Serbia, where they can promote and sell their products. The third pillar aims at improving the Local Product Centres that were implemented in the previous project, a separate room will be developed for packaging and storage. Partners will pay particular attention to eco-friendly product and packaging design, in order to increase the marketing value of the products. Besides, producers from both countries will be offered the opportunity to promote and sell their handicraft products in the LPCs. The operation of the LPCs will be extended with services related to fairs. Stand equipments and a 9-seat van will be purchased as well that can be used for traveling and also for transporting products crossborder between the LPCs and abroad. Opening and closing events, festivals, screenings of project video and a cookbook based on local ingredients will ensure the promotion of the social cooperatives and local products.

Background

The proejct build on the results of Local Tastes – Local Values project that focused on the development of local products and the creation of a social network of local producers in the region. The Lead Beneficiary works following a well-functioning model, which, unfortunately, was completely non-existent on the Serbian side of the border. Partners goal was sharing this knowledge and methodology. The social cooperatives of Bácsalmás provides arable land for collective farming, professional counsel, vocational training, and employment in agriculture in the framework of public employment to a given disadvantaged target group with the objective of helping them become self-employed. The social cooperative was created with the objective of economically furthering the agricultural and processing achievements already reached in the framework of STARTmunka pilot project; of supporting the crops and products produced with marketing tools and with their sale. Thus, Portéka of Bácsalmás was created with the aim of helping local producers and craftsmen secure customers. While also propagating the importance of local economy and a healthy lifestyle. They established “Pilot Shop for a Healthier Bácsalmás” where one can purchase locally grown vegetables, fruits, dietary supplements, meats, dairy products, spices, cheese, wines, spirits and woven baskets. The Portéka Szatyor Community of Bácsalmás is the physical realisation of this initiative. The operators of the Szatyor Community make up the link between the producers and craftsmen and the customers. This way the project became more complex as it integrated the creation of a social network, the support of local producers/products, healthy lifestyle, the distribution of knowledge. At the end of the project partners intended to continue cooperation, and realised that the main fields need to be developed are networking, product design and marketing.