Title of presentation

Title of presentation TRANSNATIONAL COOPERATION NETWORK FOR TRADING LOCAL PRODUCTS AND RURAL TOURISM Name of speaker : Paolo Pileggi Organisation of speaker: Network for trading local products and rural tourism

GAL CAPOFILA /LEADLAG CO.G.A.L. MONTE PORO - SERRE VIBONESI VIBO VALENTIA – CALABRIA - ITALY

PARTNERS • GALAJS MIRTO CROSIA (CS) CALABRIA – ITALY • GAL VALLE DEL CRATI TORANO SCALO( CS) CALABRIA ITALY • ADRACES Vila Vehla de Rodao 6030 PORTUGAL • ADRUSE GOUVEIA PORTUGAL • DEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF IRAKLIO HERAKLION CRETE - GREECE

DEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF LASSITHIAGIOS NICOLAOS - CRETE - GREECE • DEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF WESTERN CRETE OADYK HANIA - CRETE - GREECE OMEZYMA TERUEL – SPAIN • ASOCIACIÓN PARA EL DESARROLLO INTEGRAL DEL BAJO MARTÍN - ADIBAMA TERUEL SPAIN • ASOCIACIÓN PARA EL DESARROLLO DE GÚDAR-JAVALAMBRE Y MAESTRAZGO - AGUJAMA TERUEL – SPAIN • LAYON SAUMUROIS PAYS DE LA LOIRE - FRANCE

BUCAREST – ROMANIA DEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF LARNACA LARNACA – CYPRUS FEDERATIA ROMANA PENTRU DEZVOLTARE MONTANA SI RURALA

TERRITORIO DI RIFERMENTOINVOLVED AREAS CALABRIA N. 5 AREAS: • VIBO VALENTIA • LAMETINO • SERRE CALABRESI • ALTO JONIO COSENTINO • VALLE CRATI

CRETA N. 3 AREAS • HERAKLION • OADYK • LASSITHI

PORTUGAL N. 2 AREAS: ADRACES ADRUSE

SPAINN. 3 AREASOMEZYMAGÚDAR-JAVALAMBRE Y MAESTRAZGOBAJO MARTÍN

FRANCE N. 1 AREA PAYS DE LA LOIRE

CYPRUS N. 1 AREA LARNACA

ROMANIA N. 1 AREA BUCAREST

DESCRIZIONE DEL PROGETTOPROJECT DESCRIPTION IT. Il progetto ha l’obiettivo di promuovere, sostenere e realizzare la crescita di fenomeni di cooperazione locali, interterritoriali e transnazionali mediante interventi relativi al turismo rurale ed ai prodotti tipici sia agro- alimentari che artigianali. EN. The trans-national cooperation project aims at promoting, supporting and generating a growth in the cooperation initiatives at local , regional and trans-national level through activities focusing on rural tourism and local products, both agro-alimentary and handicrafts.

OBIETTIVI /AIMS • IT. • Migliorare qualitativamente gli standard dell’intero sistema economico rurale; • Valorizzare i pacchetti turistici integrati (tipici locali, cultura e tradizioni); • Commercializzare “panieri” di prodotti locali; • EN. • Improvement of the standards quality underlying the current economic and rural system; • Exploitation of integrated tourist packages, combining typical local products, culture and tradition; • Trading of the “pannier” of local products;

OBIETTIVI/AIMS IT1. Attivare il commercio elettronico e la diffusione delle tecnologie informatiche nelle aree rurali; 2. Creare percorsi formativi basati prevalentemente sulla formazione a distanza; 3. Applicare la tutela ambientale e lo sviluppo di fonti energetiche alternative; EN • 1)E-Commerce and dissemination of IT in rural areas • 2)Training activities primarily based on e-learning • 3)Environmental protection and application of alternative energy sources • 4)

OBIETTIVI/AIMS IT • Valorizzare il patrimonio storico-culturale ed ambientale; Operare attività di monitoraggio sulla qualità dei servizi offerti dagli operatori del turismo rurale. EN Promotion of the cultural, historical and environmental heritage; Monitoring of activities based on the quality services requested by rural tourism operators .

ATTIVITA’/ ACTIVITIES • IT • COORDINAMENTO • COSTITUZIONE GEIE • REALIZZAZIONE DI N 2 WORK SHOP • REALIZZAZIONE DI N. 2 FIERE • EN • COORDINATION • ESTABLISHMENT OF EEIG • 2 WORKSHOPS • 2 EXHIBITIONS

ATTIVITA’/ ACTIVITIES • IT • SVOLGIMENTO N. 4 SEMINARI FOR OPERATORI LOCALI • 1 SEMINARIO INTERNAZIONALE FORMATIVO • 3 PUBBLICAZIONI SU RIVISTE SPECIALIZZATE • EN • 4 SEMINARS FOR LOCAL OPERATORS • 1 INTERNATIONAL TRAINING SEMINAR • 3 PUBLICATION ON SPECIALISED MAGAZINES

ATTIVITA’ / ACTIVITIES • IT • ELABORAZIONE E PRODUZIONE DI MATERIALE PER LA DIFFUSIONE • DIFFUSIONE DI TECNOLOGIE INFORMATICHE • CREAZIONE DI 2 PACCHETTI TURISTICI TEMATICI • EN • PRODUCTION AND ELABORATION OF DISSEMINATION MATERIAL • INFORMATICS TECHNOLOGY DISSEMINATION • CREATION OF 2 THEMATIC PACKAGES

CRONOPROGRAMMA

Nuovi partner /new partners • LAG ALTAL-ER-VOLGYE - UNGHERIA / HUNGARY

LAG IMATHIAS - AN.IMA. S.A. - GREECE

RISULTATI ATTESI / EXPECTED OUTCOMES IT Scambio buone prassi per ottimizzare e consolidare il partenariato; Allargamento della Rete locale per creare “massa critica” per il prodotto da commercializzare; sviluppo delle imprese operanti nei territori interessati al progetto; EN • Exchange of best practices to foster a deeper acquaintance among the project’s partners • extension of the local network to achieve the “critical mass”for the future trading products; • Developing the enterprises operating in the target- regions of the project;

RISULTATI ATTESI /EXPECTED OUTCOMES • IT • Aumento delle presenze degli utenti del turismo rurale nelle aree interessate dal progetto; • Costruire l’associazionismo sui territori di riferimento; Costruire strumenti comuni a carattere transnazionale. EN Increasing the number of rural tourist operators within the target regions of the project; 2) Setting up various forms of association on the territories involved; 6) Establishment of common patterns at trans-national level.

Obiettivi realizzati: • EUROCONSULTING-GEIE • WEB SITE: WWW.euroconsulting-geie.net ( under construction) • Brochure/ leaflet

EURO CONSULTING GROUP GEIE • As part of a transnational cooperation project, it was a natural step to establish Euro Consulting Group – GEIE . • This European Economic Interest Group was founded in July 2005 in Vibo Valentia, and is made up of Local Action Groups (LAGs) from 6 different European countries. • Created as added value, it follows the common operating structure that the partners have begun to pursue in order to facilitate the implementation of activities to develop and promote the involved areas. These areas include the region of Calabria in Italy; the province of Teruel in Spain; Heraklion, Chania and Lassithi (Crete) in Greece, the Loire Valley in France, Castelo Branco and Gouvenia in Portugal and Larnaca in Cyprus. • The aim of the member states is to facilitate and develop their work, as well as improve and optimise the outcome of their projects by accomplishing the following objectives: • Developing transnational cooperation in the technical and financial sector, and trade; • Promoting research & development, improvement and transfer of new technologies and of social, productive, financial and economic systems, whether they are public or private, on a European and international level. • In the future, the EEIG will endeavour to guarantee the sustainability of its collaboration. It will have the task of preparing new project proposals for its own members and searching for new financing opportunities on a national and EC level. • THE OBJECTIVES OF THE EEIG • In order to facilitate and develop the economic activities of its members, the constitution of the EEIG needs: • to target its own initiatives towards supporting and promoting development and employment in the participating areas, bringing its own activities in line with the objectives of the national, EC, regional, provincial and local development plans. • In order to achieve this aim, the EEIG works in the following fields: • rural development activity; • tourism, rural tourism and agrotourism; • support for small firms, handicrafts and local services; • development and marketing of local agricultural products and handicrafts; • promotion and creation of information and data transmission links within and outside of the specific intervention area; • consultancy and research in socio-economic and environmental fields; • participation in EC programs and project biddings; • promotion of the associated firms through their participation at meetings, fairs, congresses, seminars and exhibitions in Europe and worldwide; • quality control and creation of quality labels; • setting-up training courses in the relevant EEIG competence areas; • promotion of forms of aggregation, cooperation and cultural and social exchanges between countries in Europe and worldwide.

EEIG’s MEMBERS:

Area (Kmq) 1.140 sq.km Population density (ab./Kmq) 157,65 inh./sq.KmPopulation176631 inhNumber of Municipalities 50 • CO.G.A.L Monte Poro Serre Vibonese is the leadLAG of the Geie Euroconsulting Group and transnational partnership that is part of the Community project LEADER+. Co.G.A.L is an agency that promotes the local development with headquarters in Vibo Valentia, Calabria. • The province of Vibo Valentia is characterized by a particular beauty in natural and environmental resources. The costal part is the area’s most known naturalistic resource especially with the presence of Tropea that is considered the Tyrrhenian’s pearl... • The hinter land of the province with its naturalistic resources is defined by two distinct and morphological areas, the hilly MontePoro and the mountainous Serre. • Poro’s plateau rises over the sea Tyrrhenian through Agitola, whether Mesima and Serre form a small world in their self. What distinguishes this area from the other parts of Calabria is precisely its particular structure with various crystalline cliffs predominately composed by granites, the mild climate, the diverse greenery and the large number of habitants who live in numerous small centers.

The area’s complex orography and in particular that of Monte Poro’s plateau, the rich fauna of Capo Vaticano, the important presence of typical cultivation (Tropea’s red onion) and the culturally rich rural areas, the historical-cultural testimonies widespread in the whole area; are fundamental components of a great environmental fortune, effortlessly recognizable and yet scarcely protected. • The area of the Serre is distinguished for the pasture lands and the high-tree forests which occupy 60% of the area and that, from an naturalistic point of view, it represents a biotope of a high biological, scientific and panoramic significance. The forest land in particular with the presence of beech and fir trees and mixed formation of beech-fir woods, represents an uncontaminated oasis in the European environment. • The entire province of Vibo Valentia is characterized by a strong vocation towards tourism and in particular the rural one, based on the availability specialized in • Mediterranean products as well as those that come from the woods. • COGAL is engaged in the eco-friendly development of the rural tourism, in accentuating the local resources and improve the socio-economical condition of the local system in its complex through integrated actions in the most profitable sectors (rural tourism, environment, historic-cultural heritage, agricultural productions) in the area. • Their aim is : • To establish new companies, more specifically in the area of rural tourism; • To improve the quality of the actual supply in the area of rural tourism; • To improve, protect and increase the value of the agricultural products, traditional and typical food farming; in particular through researching quality brands and recognizing the typical products and the structure of how the products will be transformed and commercialized; • To encourage the work opportunities for the women and the non-qualified young people; • To reinforce the cultural identity of the traditional customs by focusing on the intervention and the recuperation of the cultural and religious traditions, more specifically on the local crafts. • To assure through territorial and specific marketing the proliferation of the information and the expansion of the benchmark markets of the of an extensive network of small agricultural agencies, located in areas of great panoramic attraction and productions and the services offered from the local system.

tainouThe local program involves certain actions which are orchestrated to help us attain our aims. These actions are: • 1. Agrotourism • The aim is to create significant touristic infrastructure (on the basic of land-planning) in the rural areas of the prefecture of Heraklion, which could allow the development of alternative forms of tourism and lead to quality products and services. • 2. Small-scale enterprises in agrotourism and other sectors of the economy • The aim is to create competitive enterprises which will be equipped with modern means of production, be able to offer quality products and make use of local resources without incurring harm to the environment. • 3. Networking and Clustering of similar or complementary enterprises • them attain economies of scale, more competitive prices for their products – services, joint promotional campaigns for their products and services etc. • 4. Protection – enhancement and valorization of the natural and cultural heritage • There are many significant actions which focus on the environment (natural and built up) as well as on culture. These actions are complementary to and in support of other actions within the program. • 5. Support the cooperation among rural areas. • Through this action the C.I. Leader+ aims to support translocal, transregional and transnational cooperation. • FOTOS NOT RECEIVED • Development Agency of OADYK • Territory Data • Area (Kmq.) 2745.42 Kmq.Population Density (inh/sq. Km) 25,67 ab./KmqPopulation70.468 ab.Number of Municipalities27 • The area is characterized by a large diversity of biological and cultural features. It includes many interesting and unique landscapes, mountains, gorges and plateaus, numerous endemic plants and animal species and unique cultural elements. It is a natural crossroad between Europe, Asia and Africa and being the southern frontier of the EU, the area occupies a key position in the Eastern Mediterranean. • The area has a negative age structure, mainly in municipalities that include most of the mouns and less-

favoured areas. Most of the municipalities have high Aging and Dependency indexes. Technical infrastructure can be qualified as deficient. Agriculture is the main economic activity in the primary sector and the majority of population is employed in this sector. Economic and social prosperity is low in areas that are predominantly rural. With respect to the secondary sector, entrepreneurship in mountainous and less-favoured communities is directed towards businesses related to the production of olive oil and construction, and bakeries to a lesser extent. Cheese production is predominant in the manufacturing sector, with a number of small industrial businesses. Therefore, there is mainly specialisation in traditional sectors. Most of the businesses are small and family-based, combined with large cooperatives with low efficiency rates. There are a limited number of manufacturing and standardisation businesses. With respect to the tertiary sector, which contributes to employment in the area to a large extent, the two most important sectors are trade and services. Mass tourism is predominant, although there are clear indications of efforts to develop agrotourism • photoNot receivedPhotoNot received • Development Agency of Lassithi • Territory Data • Area (Kmq.) 1.794,6 kmqPopulation Density (inh/sq. Km) 42,53 ab./KmqPopulation76.319 ab.Number of Municipalities8 • The Development Agency of Lassithi is collocated in an area with a significant natural and cultural heritage, including: • Areas of special natural and ecological interest (NATURA 2000 areas, landscapes of outstanding natural beauty, beaches, footpaths, gorges, caves, wetlands, etc). • Rural and cultural heritage areas and monuments (archaeological and historical sites and monuments, settlements and traditional buildings, rural heritage monuments and buildings, etc.) • .

monuments and buildings, etc.) • Agriculture and tourism are the main economic activities in the Lassithi Prefecture. The main agricultural products produced in the area are olive oil, wine, early horticultural products, milk and honey. • The Imathia Development Agency - AΝΙΜΑ S.A. is the Local Action Group (LAG) for the local C.I. Leader+ project, in the prefecture of Imathia. The main characteristics of the area are: • Her particular microclimate • The economy of region is supported mainly in the primary sector (agriculture: wine and culture of vegetables and fruits, animal farming and dairy produce). • The economy of region is also supported by the secondary sector (fruit industry and textile factory). • The intense elements of rural history and tradition. • The rich natural environment, characterized by mountainous area and low land, Natura 2000 areas, rivers, caves, trails through the forest as E4. • The important archaeological sites, museums, traditional settlements, monasteries, Byzantine churches. • The rich cultural inheritance. • The Ancient, Macedonian, Byzantine and Neo – classical history. • The multiple possibilities for alternative tourism (religious, mountainous, educational, camping, ecotourism, rural tourism etc). • The local program is implemented in the rural and disadvantaged areas of the prefecture of Imathia (intervention area: 1.009,262 km2, 6 municipalities, population: 40.296 inhabitants)

The developmental strategy of the LAG for the area rests on a priority theme: • «Quality in the productive process of rural areas». • The local program involves certain actions which are orchestrated to help us attain our aims. These actions are: • 1. Agrotourism • The aim is to create significant touristic infrastructure (on the basic of land-planning) in the rural areas of the prefecture of Imathia, which could allow the development of alternative forms of tourism and lead to quality products and services. • . Small-scale enterprises in agrotourism and other sectors of the economy The aim is to create competitive enterprises which will be equipped with modern means of production, be able to offer quality products and make use of local resources without incurring harm to the environment • 2. • 3. Networking and Clustering of similar or complementary enterprises • The aim of this action is to encourage cooperation between similar or complementary enterprises in order to help them attain economies of scale, more competitive prices for their products – services, joint promotional campaigns for their products and services etc. • 4. Protection – enhancement and valorization of the natural and cultural heritage • There are many significant actions which focus on the environment (natural and built up) as well as on culture. These actions are complementary to and in support of other actions within the program. • 5. Support the cooperation among rural areas. • Through this action the C.I. Leader+ aims to support translocal, transregional and transnational cooperation. • FRANCE • LAG Layon Saumurois • Territory Data • Area (Kmq.) 1495 sq. KmPopulation Density (inh/sq. Km) 53 ab/sq.KmPopulation79 881 ab.Number of Municipalities86 • The area of water intersected by the Loire which is part of the UNESCO world heritage, and its three branches surrounded by hillsides, are key locations for the vineyards. There are three dominant types of landscapes: in the west there are the hedged and semi-hedged farmlands on the grassland flat terrains; in the east there are more open plateaus with cereal crops that intersect with the woods, and the rest of the area is occupied by vineyards. • From an economic and sociological aspect, the area is distinguished by a strong dominance of viticulture which provides 87%

From an economic and sociological aspect, the area is distinguished by a strong dominance of viticulture which provides 87% • of the winery. The châteaux, listed churches, megaliths, troglodyte caves and famous wines which are part of an affluent inheritance; the easy access to holiday accommodation and the small fabric enterprises, they all play a major role in the tourist attractions. • . • . • SPAIN • OMEZYMA • Territory Data • Area (Kmq.) 2.239 KmqPopulation Density (inh/sq. Km) 15,7 inh./KmqPopulation35.232 ab.Number of Municipalities38 • OMEZYMA is aDevelopment Agency of Mezquín, Matarraña and Bajo Aragón, in the Province of Teruel. • The area has a particular structure; Alcañiz is the main city, even if there are other important towns, such as Calanda, Alcorisa o Valderrobres. • It is located in the middle of Ebro Valley surrounded by the rivers Guadalope and Matarraña and it is also considered a border territory, near Cataluña and Valencia. • The area is characterized by a strong biodiversity: there are the forests of Beceite, Pinares de Monroyo; the area near the rivers Guadalope, Bergantes, Mezquín, Matarraña, Tastavins and Algás; and the Sierra de La Ginebrosa, an area with olive trees, almond and typical Mediterranean vegetation, such as pine trees, rosemary, lentils and esparto grass.

The tertiary sector covers 50% of the population, the secondary sector involves 30% and the primary one 20%. The unemployment is 6%.In smaller villages • , the main activities are agriculture (olive, almond, wine, peach, etc.) and breeding (pigs, ovine, rabbits, poultry, etc.). • The olive is cultivated in 12.000 hectares and is the most important product. • From the typology “empeltre” is produced table oil and the oil of Bajo Martin which is protected by the Denomination of Controlled Origin. • The almond is produced in many municipalities, except Alcañiz, Valdealgorfa, Valjunquera e Valderrobres. • The products protected by the seal “C” (Calidad Alimentaria) are, other than the oil, the peaches of Calandra, the lamb of Aragon, the ham of Teruel and the wine of Tierra de Bajo Aragón. • The organic products concern Olive oil, black olives, olive pate, almonds, and wine. • The enterprises of the industry and service sectors are concentrated in the bigger towns, such as Alcañiz, Calanda, Alcorisa e Valderrobres. • From an economic point of view, the tourist activity is growing thanks to the important landscape heritage and the antique monumental areas: Alcañiz, Beceite, Belmonte de San José, Calaceite, La Fresneda, Peñarroya de Tastavins, Ráfales e Valderrobresin. • ADIBAMA • Territory Data • Area (Kmq.) 1.275 kmqPopulation Density (inh/sq. Km) 14,6 ab./kmqPopulation18.737 ab.Number of Municipalities15 • The Association for the Integral Development of Bajo Martín (ADIBAMA) is a non-profit organization that operates in the regions of Bajo Martin and Andorra-Sierra de Arcos, located to the n

the province of Teruel (Aragón), between the Iberian System and the Depression of the Ebro. Thanks to its geographic position, there are a variety of landscapes and natural spaces: cliffs like the Straits of the River Martin, extensive steppes like Las Planetas, level and arid zones with dry land cultivation, fluvial shores with traditional irrigable, and mountain ranges with typical Mediterranean vegetation. • The economic structure of the area is complex. The agrarian sector and the level of employment in this sector is in decline. Nevertheless, the agro-alimentary industry is acquiring more and more importance: olive oil (protected by the Denomination of Controlled Origin), olives for table, honey, fruits, elaborated meat (sausage), cheeses, wine, pastry and salt meats of fish. • . There is an industrial sector in growth formed by small and medium companies, concentrated in the bigger towns, such as Andorra, Albalate del Arzobispo, Híjar and La Puebla de Híjar. The services sector is also in growth. The tourism is still developing, however taking in consideration the natural and cultural heritage the future looks promising. Many tourist come during the Eater period and a tourist attractions are the ancient archaeological Iberian time, within the Iberos Route in Aragón, the Cultural Park of the Martin River (with important cave paintings), or the variety of the ethnological heritage, with old festive traditions and a very established rural culture. • The main objectives of ADIBAMA is to support the enterprises of the zone, the development of the agro-alimentary sector and the growth of tourism from the patrimonial resources that the territory has. • The coalmines in Andorra and Ariño which at the moment are reforming, are disappearing like economic activity. Other natural resources of the area are clay and alabaster. For many years Bajo Martin was well-known in the world for its resources and the production of alabaster which was used for artistic purposes, decoration and lights • There is an industrial sector in growth formed by small and medium companies, concentrated in the bigger towns, such as Andorra, Albalate del Arzobispo, Híjar and La Puebla de Híjar. The sector services also is in growth. The tourism is still incipient, although with interesting perspective of growth based on their interesting natural and cultural patrimony. As main tourist resources are possible to emphasize the Easter, the archaeological patrimony of Iberian time, within the Iberos Route in Aragón, the Cultural Park of the Martin River (with important cave paintings), or the variety of the ethnological patrimony, with old festive traditions and a rural culture very establish. • Between the main objectives of ADIBAMA it is the support to the enterprises of the zone, the development of the agro-alimentary sector and the growth of the tourism from the patrimonial resources that the territory has.

AGUJAMA • Territory Data • Area (Kmq.) 3.558 KmqPopulation Density (inh/sq. Km) 3,2 ab./kmqPopulation11.563 ab.Number of Municipalities41 .Low regions are perfect for developing high-quality tourism which is depended on clean, attractive quiet locations. For this reason, new tourist resources and high quality shops have opened up adapting to the particular needs of tourists. We can point out restaurants and small cosy hotels that are located throughout the region. These have developed Maestrazgo and given Gùdar-Javalambre a new opportunity, making it a great place for tourists to enjoy nature and culture. • The area of Agujama is well-known because of its good farming foods heritage. Its economic history led to the creation of a nutritious and good-quality cuisine, quite the opposite from the cuisine of big cities companies, caused by industrialisation of the food industry. This is because of a series of productions from small local factories. They are our producers attached to our land and products and at the same time responsible for the customers. • By taking care of the environment, the consumer will benefit from better tasting food, for example meat products and cheeses from Tronchón, local wines, meat prepared with mushroom and olive oil, desserts and ice-creams. Speaking about delicacies, it is impossible not to enjoy the D.O. ham and the black truffle from Tereul, major products of a region with good food and eager to be visited by tourists.

. • CYPRUS • Development Agency of Larnaca • Territory Data • Area (Kmq.) 8500 htPopulation Density (inh/sq. Km) 9,79 inh../KmqPopulation83.240Number of Municipalities51 • The Leader+ area of the LAG of the Development Agency of Larnaca is the whole district of Larnaca, except the city of Larnaca, consisting of 3 Municipalities and 48 Communities. The district has mountainous and semi-mountainous area, coastal and plain area. • The Agency, in collaboration with 10 other institutions of the district, has been approved as a LAG under section 4.2 of the EU programming period 2000-2006. The LAG proceeded to the designing of the existing situation of the area and with proposals for improving and strengthening the whole area. Its study has finished and soon, after the call for applications will be announced, it will apply for approval as a LAG for Leader actions. • The main activities of the Agency as a LAG have been or are the following: • Development of the agrotourism and the standardization of local traditional products. • Formation of the Ladies Association of Rural Larnaca for the promotion of the Agrotourism and the Industrialization of Local Traditional Products. • Organisation every year, in collaboration with the Union of Communities of Larnaca and the Ladies Association of Rural Larnaca, a rural festival about local traditional products Alerting the local population on leader matters and preparing it for participation in leader activities. • . • It has been approved by the Department of Agriculture as an Accredited Institution for providing technical and advisory services to farmers, charging very low prices and having as a target to assist the farmers. The Agency helps continuously many farmers. • The Agency, with its Agriculturist, provides advices and help about agriculture aspects to any citizen asking for such help.

In collaboration with the Agriculture Department and not only it organizes many informative meetings in different places of the District of Larnaca, for various agriculture aspects. • PORTUGAL • ADRACES • Territory data • Area (Kmq.) 3.738 kmqPopulation Density (inh/sq. Km) 20,93 inh./kmqPopulation78.248 inh.Number of Municipalities4ADRACES is located in Beira Interior Sul and is characterized by a rich environment and heritage. This provides for the habitants a good environment and a high standard of life. It is a key area for agricultural products and the food sector, as well as high-quality craftsmanship. • Located in the centre of the Iberian Peninsular; it offers natural landscapes and other factors favourable to tourism and leisure activities; a diversity of products for tourism; a culture. of developing know-how and skills; a vast historical heritage; a diversified and well-established business fabric; know-how in traditional quality products (cheese, salted ham, ); olives and the production of olive oil. The region’s main economic activities are: the food industry, mainly the milk/cheese production and its derivatives, olives and olive oil, sausages and derivatives; home appliance products, cables and support services for commerce and industry.

ADRUSE • Territory data • Area (Kmq.) 1230,16 kmqPopulation Density (inh/sq. Km) 50,89 inh./kmqPopulation106688 ab.Number of Municipalities5 • The area of intervention of ADRUSE includes 5 municipalities, in total 93 villages (29 of Seia; 22 of Celorico da Beira; 16 of Fornos de Algodres and 4 of Manteigas). This territory is an area of 1230 km2 and has got 62865 inhabitants (CENSUS 2001), having a population density of 51,11 inhabitants for km2. • River Mondego and the Mountain Serra de Estrela dominate in the territory. The river Mondego arrives from the monucipality of Gouveia and separates two municipalities: Gouveia and Manteigas and crosses through the Celorico da Beira and Fornos de Algodres. 40820 hectares of forest covers the Mountain of Estrela. The valley of Mondego (River Mondego) has got the best lands of cultivation and a significant 17292 hectares of agricultural area. • The Mountain of Estrela, an isolated plateaus, is the most important Portuguese mountain, located between lands of Zêzere (another river which is born in the “Estrela”) and Mondego. The North and South of Portugal is divided by the Cordilheira Central Mountain; characterized by the Mediterranean, • Atlantic and Continental climate which influences vegetation and other aspects of the territory.

The population of the territory is decreasing. In the period between 1991 and 2001 the population has decreased with 4244 inhabitants. • Contact information: • ITALYCOGAL Monte Poro – Serre VibonesiViale Affaccio, IV Traversa n. 9 89900 Vibo ValentiaTel. +39 0963 991312Fax +39 0963 94413Email galmonteporo@libero.itWeb site www.cogalmonteporo.net ASSOCIASIONE ONLUSSTRADA DEI SAPORI DEL POROV.le Affaccio IV Trav., 589900 Vibo ValentiaTel. e Fax: 0963.592739Email: info@stradasaporiporo.itweb site: www.stradasaporiporo.itSOLARIAAssociazione Turismo RuraleViale Affaccio IV Traversa n.589900 Vibo ValentiaTel. +39 (0)963.592.739Email:solaria@cogalmonteporo.netweb site: www.cogalmonteporo.net/SOLARIA/AGRISERVIZI VIBONESE S.r.l.Viale Affaccio Trav. IV, 589900 Vibo ValentiaTel. 0039 0963 592739 Fax 0039 0963 592739 Email: agriservizi@libero.itCYPRUSLarnaca District Develop. Agency Ltd.1, Laras str., 7040 Voroclini, Larnacatel +357 24815280fax +357 24636817email info@anetel.com.cyweb site www.anetel.comGREECEDevelopment Agency of Heraklion s.a.Arhanes, Heraklion 70100 Crete, GreeceTelephone number: +30 28107 53300Fax: +30 28107 53310E-mail: info@anher.grWeb: www.anher.grOrganization for the Development of Western Crete Lassithi Plateia 1866 & KriarhCrete Greece Telefono : +30 2821 095331Fax: +30 2821 093350E-mail: oadyk@oadyk.grWeb: www.oadyk.grDevelopment Agency of Lassithi S.ABLD. of the local Gov. Prefecture of Lasithi72100 Agios NikolaosTelefono: +30 28410 82970 • Fax: +30 28410 82971E-mail: anaplas@lasithinet.grWeb: www.anlas.grFRANCE Comité d’Expansion du Pays Loire Layon Lys AubanceLe Neufbourg49380 THOUARCE FRANCEtel: +33 241 541 327Fax: +33 241 540 298E-mail: leader-layonsaumurois@layon.orgWeb Site www.layon.orgSPAINADIBAMAAvda. Zaragoza, 244540 Albalate del Arzobispo ( Teruel )Tel.- fax: +34 978 81 21 77E.mail: bajomartin@bajomartin.comWeb site: www.bajomartin.comAGUJAMAPlaza de la Villa 1, 2º44400 Mora de Rubielos (Teruel)Tel: +34 978807126Fax: +34 978807127email leader@agujama.orgWeb Site: www.agujama.orgOMEZYMAAv. Aragón 13 44.641 TORREVELILLA (Teruel)Tel: +34/978/852011Fax: +34/978/852403E-mail: : omezyma@omezyma.esWeb: www.omezyma.esPORTUGAL ADRACES - Associação para o Desenvolvimento da Raia Centro-SulRua de Santana, 277 – 6030-230 Vila Velha de RódãoTel: 00 351 272 540200Fax: 00 351 272 540209E-mail: adraces@adraces.ptWeb: www.adraces.ptADRUSE Associação de Desenvolvimento Rural da Serra da EstrelaLargo Dr. Alípio de Melo – 6290-520 GOUVEIATel: +351 238 490 180Fax: +351 238 490 188E-mail: adruse@adruse.ptWeb: www.adruse.pt

THE TRANSNATIONAL PROJECT • Network for the marketing of local products • and rural tourism • The “network for the marketing of local products and rural tourism” is the collective transnational cooperation project between several Local Action Groups (LAGs), as part of the EC Leader + Initiative. • The LAGs involved come from six different European countries: Italy, Spain, France, Portugal, Greece and Cyprus. In addition, there is an external partner, from Romania, who was invited to participate in this project, with the aid of financing from other EC programmes. • The aim of the transnational cooperation project is to promote, support and recognise the growth of local, inter-territorial and transnational cooperation in order to achieve mass production which will enable these products to enter the market and increase their market share. • In particular, these interventions are aimed at rural tourism and local products, whether farm produce or artisan handcrafts, with regular support for the producers. • The objectives of the transnational project are to: • Improve the quality standards of the current rural economic system; • Promote integrated tourist packages, combining local products, culture and tradition; • Market “hamper baskets” of local products, identifying ways to promote the culture of the “Mediterranean Diet” as both beneficial to health and to the quality of life; • Promote the diffusion of Information Technology and e-Commerce in rural areas; • Set up long distance training courses primarily based on themes of common interest, such as the management and administration of development projects, local activity and tourist marketing; • Enforce environmental preservation and development of alternative energy sources; • Promote the historical, cultural and environmental heritage; • Raise the awareness of the services and the quality of rural tourism. • Between now and 2008, the project aims to carry out several activities with the aim of achieving the proposed objectives: • Develop the activities implemented within the framework of the Leader II initiative; • Identify which products to promote in the hamper baskets; • Organise and structure the supply of products in line with the high quality standards; • Draw up trade and exchange agreements and import-export links; • Promote and broaden transnational cooperation activity; • Carry out internships, workshops and seminars among those involved in local development and

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