0682 – Uncorking rural heritage: indigenous production of fermented beverages for local cultural and environmental sustainability

Name of the lead partner organisation: University of Nova Gorica

Country of the lead partner organisation: Slovenia

Project summary:

The project addresses the problems of rural depopulation, brain drain and underdeveloped local economies faced by rural regions in Central and Eastern Europe. Norway is one of the most developed countries in Europe; however, its rural areas face a similar out-migration problem as the districts of the partners countries Slovenia, Croatia and North Macedonia. On the other hand, in Western Europe high quality agricultural products (such as wine) with a strong regional identity have contributed to sustainable rural development, preserving traditions and preventing out-migration or company relocations. This regionality was based on the concept of typicality and terroir.

Therefore, the project aims to address these issues by building a new cluster of human capital through transnational cooperation and capacity building with a network of research institutions, universities, enterprises and local authorities operating in selected rural areas for the valorisation of local wines and ciders based on typicality and terroircharacterisation. Transnational cooperation will enable unique and essential multidisciplinary exchange of experience, conjunction of existing infrastructure, transfer of promising practices and common activities for this multilevel challenge.

Target groups

• Researchers, experts, students
• Wine and cider producers, farmers, start-ups
• General public, policy makers

Project partners:

University of Nova Gorica, Slovenia
Municipality of Ajdovščina, Slovenia
Polytechnic in Požega, Croatia
Public Institution Local Development Agency Požega, Croatia
Tikveš Winery, North Macedonia
NIBIO Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Reseach, Norway
Nofima AS, Norway
Hardanger Council, Norway
Hardanger Cider Association, Norway