Integrated and Sustainable Development of Small European Wine Areas in Border Regions
Smaller European wine areas in border regions, such as the regions participating in the operation “VINUM EST - Integrated and Sustainable Development of Small European Wine Areas in Border Regions", share a range of limitations to development. These include limited resources for investment and innovation, and limited access to national or European markets as well as an underdeveloped service sector. As border regions the partners also share particular challenges such as limited geographical accessibility. Overall objective / Objectif général The operation aims to strengthen development of small European wine areas in border regions through know-how exchange and transfer. Partners place specific emphasis on the transfer of experiences and know-how from old EU Member States to new EU countries and on integrated approaches to development. These range from wine and food production to tourism, gastronomy and cultural aspects. A second focus is on environmental sustainability through the production of organic food and the protection of landscapes and native grapes and yeast. Expected results / Résultats attendus The operation improves the participating regions’ development potentials and their environmental situation. It leads to higher quality standards in wine production, improved marketing of local products and an increase in organic farming. Improved development policies reflect more sustainable approaches and integrate tourism as an important development goal. Activities include actions to improve wine quality such as wine certification and coordinated area marketing. Based on a number of meetings, conferences and training sessions, partners involve stakeholders in the project and elaborate local innovation plans as well as promotional activities. Partners also develop and publish guidelines on "Integrated and Sustainable Development in Small European wine Areas" to transfer results to non participating regions