[Helena Krajnc]

We are developing a project FOODHUB MED
The project will establish and test a transnational network of territorial food hubs connecting local producers, shared food-processing infrastructure and urban/peri-urban markets.
Each pilot territory will test a real-life model adapted to its local food system. Activities may include shared access to processing equipment, development of new products from local and seasonal raw materials, aggregation of supply, technical support for small producers, links with public institutions/retail/gastronomy and sustainable governance models for shared infrastructure.
The Slovenian pilot proposed by Mozaik dobrot d.o.o. would be located in the Rače–Fram / Maribor peri-urban area and would test a shared food-processing hub in an existing production environment.
We are looking particularly for:
– an experienced public/public-law organisation interested in acting as Lead Partner;
– municipalities, regional development agencies and food-system authorities;
– operational partners able to implement territorial food-hub pilots;
– producer organisations/cooperatives;
– knowledge partners supporting evaluation and replication.
We are interested in partners from different Mediterranean territories who can implement concrete real-life pilots, not primarily research or promotional activities.
If interested, we would be pleased to arrange a short online meeting and share the more detailed concept.

[Antonia Basic]

Dear Helena,

Thank you for sharing the FOODHUB MED project concept. We find the idea very interesting and see a strong potential for cooperation with Baltazar University, Centre for Projects, particularly given our experience in European project development, stakeholder cooperation and initiatives related to sustainable development, entrepreneurship, education and local communities.

We believe Baltazar University could contribute as a knowledge and implementation partner, supporting the development and testing of the food hub model, stakeholder engagement, capacity building and transferability of the pilot results to other Mediterranean territories.

In particular, we could contribute to activities related to:

connecting local producers, SMEs, public institutions and other relevant stakeholders;

development of training and capacity-building activities for local producers and other target groups;

supporting the development and testing of practical, sustainable and transferable food-hub models;

communication, dissemination and stakeholder engagement;

evaluation of pilot activities and identification of opportunities for replication in other territories.

We are especially interested in the fact that the project focuses on real-life territorial pilots and practical implementation, rather than research activities alone. We believe this approach fits well with our current project development and partnership activities.

We would be very interested to learn more about the current consortium and the role you envisage for potential Croatian partners. If there is still an opportunity to join the partnership, we would be happy to arrange a short online meeting and discuss how Baltazar University, Centre for Projects could contribute to the FOODHUB MED concept.

Please feel free to contact us and share the more detailed project concept.

Best regards,

Antonia Bašić
Baltazar University, Centre for Projects
abasic@bak.hr

[Natasa Bastinac]

Dear Helena,

The City Development Agency Banja Luka (Bosnia and Herzegovina) is interested in FOODHUB MED project proposal. The Agency closely cooperate with the Center of Rural Development Banja Luka and local agricultural producers that are gathered in one shop in the city center, where they sell their authentic products. We also closely cooperate with one NGO for disabled persons, whose members are beekeepers and make and sell bee products, they are also organized in agricultural cooperative where they grow and make products from different cultures.

The Agency has extensive experience in EU funded projects ( Interreg Euro Med, Interreg Adrion, Danube Regional Program, Interreg Europe, Interreg CBC CRO-BIH-ME).

If you are interested to cooperate with us please write to us at:

natasa.bastinac@cidea.org and ana.beader@cidea.org

[carlotta nicolotti]

Dear helena,

We would be very interested in exploring a potential cooperation within FOODHUB MED.

Ideazione Srl is an Italian SME based in Piedmont, with over 30 years of experience in sustainable tourism, local and territorial development, cultural innovation and European projects. Over the years, we have also developed specific expertise in agri-food value chains, food districts, wine routes and territorial food systems, mainly working in rural and peri-urban areas (ideazionesrl.it)

We believe we could contribute to the project not only as a project partner, but also by bringing concrete Italian territorial models and networks that could be adapted and tested within the FOODHUB MED framework.

For example, we currently work with Food Districts (Distretti del Cibo), a territorial model promoted in Italy to strengthen local agri-food systems by connecting producers, processing activities, institutions, markets and other local actors. Among others, we support the Food District of Pinerolo, Turin – IT, and could bring this experience as a potential pilot/reference model.

Another relevant practice is the DE.CO. (Municipal designation) model, which identifies and promotes traditional local food products and gastronomic heritage through a formal territorial recognition by municipalities. We work with the Vermenagna-Roya territory – Piedomont- Italy, on this topic within the Interreg ALCOTRA framework and could contribute this experience to the project.

We also have experience with wine routes and wine territorial networks, including the Strada del Barolo e grandi vini di Langa (Piedmont – Italy), with which we collaborated as project managers and subcontractors within an interreg project aimed at supporting tourism operators and strengthening the local wine-tourism ecosystem.

Beyond these examples, our added value would be our ability to involve local producers, food-sector consortia, territorial organisations and other agri-food stakeholders from the Italian territories where we work. Some are long-standing contacts, while others are organisations we directly support in their territorial development strategies.

We therefore believe that the Italian experience we could bring could fit well with FOODHUB MED’s focus on real-life territorial pilots, shared infrastructure, local value chains and replication across Mediterranean territories.

We would be happy to arrange a short online meeting to present our experience and discuss how Ideazione could contribute to the partnership.
My contacts are: nicolotti@ideazionesrl.it and progetti@ideazionesrl.it

Best regards,

[Ivan Saltaric]

Dear colleagues,

Thank you for sharing the FOODHUB MED concept. We believe there could be a very interesting fit with DURA – City of Dubrovnik Development Agency (Croatia) and would be interested in exploring participation as a Project Partner.

DURA is the development agency of the City of Dubrovnik and has extensive experience in EU territorial cooperation projects, including Interreg Euro-MED, Interreg Italy–Croatia and Interreg Central Europe. Our work covers sustainable urban and territorial development, circular economy, climate resilience, stakeholder engagement, SME support, pilot implementation and cooperation with municipalities and public institutions.

For FOODHUB MED, we see particular potential in developing a Croatian pilot around the Dubrovnik urban–peri-urban food system.

While the City of Dubrovnik itself has a relatively limited agricultural production base, the surrounding areas of Konavle, Župa dubrovačka and Dubrovačko primorje include numerous small producers, family farms, food businesses and traditional local products. Dubrovnik, on the other hand, represents a strong market with restaurants, hospitality businesses, public institutions, local markets and consumers.

A potential pilot could therefore explore how to better connect local producers from the wider Dubrovnik area with the urban market through:

aggregation and coordination of local supply;

shared processing or other common infrastructure;

development and valorisation of local and seasonal products;

stronger links between producers and restaurants, public institutions, retailers and other buyers;

support to small producers in accessing markets;

sustainable governance and business models for shared infrastructure;

reduction of food-system inefficiencies and strengthening of local supply chains.

DURA could contribute as a territorial coordination and pilot implementation partner by supporting stakeholder engagement; cooperation with municipalities and local producers; development of the pilot model; links with relevant public institutions; and dissemination, replication, and integration of project results into local development policies.

Due to our current project workload, DURA cannot act as Lead Partner, but we would be willing to contribute actively to proposal development and to defining the Croatian pilot, tasks, and work plan.

If you believe this territorial context could fit the FOODHUB MED concept, we would be very pleased to discuss the idea further and explore possible cooperation.

Best regards,
Ivan Saltarić
DURA – City of Dubrovnik Development Agency
Croatia

[Valentina Formica]

Dear Helena,
I am writing on behalf of the Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment (Di3A) of the University of Catania (Sicily), Italy, to express our interest in joining a consortium as a scientific partner within the Interreg Euro-MED Green Living Areas Mission.
Specifically, our research group, coordinated by Prof. Daniela Romano, Full Professor of Horticulture and Floriculture, has extensive scientific and applied experience in Mediterranean landscape and urban horticulture, ornamental and Mediterranean plant species, sustainable management of green areas, and plant responses to abiotic stresses.

Our expertise includes, in particular:

-selection and evaluation of ornamental and Mediterranean plant species for urban green spaces and climate-resilient landscapes;
-physiological and productive responses of plants to water scarcity, salinity, shading and other environmental stresses;
-water-use efficiency and identification of species suitable for low-input and water-limited environments;
-planning and sustainable management of parks, gardens and Mediterranean green areas;
-use and valorisation of native plant biodiversity for urban and peri-urban greening;
-research on medicinal and aromatic plants, including essential oils, plant extracts and their potential applications in urban horticulture;
-development and evaluation of plant-based solutions contributing to biodiversity conservation, climate adaptation and ecosystem services.

The research group has long-standing experience in national and European research projects addressing sustainable horticulture, plant biodiversity, Mediterranean production systems, urban green infrastructure and plant adaptation to environmental constraints. We are available to join a consortium as a scientific partner and contribute actively from the proposal development stage, bringing our expertise to defining project objectives, designing scientific activities and methodologies, and planning pilot actions addressing green infrastructure, nature-based solutions, biodiversity, and climate-resilient Mediterranean urban landscapes.
We would welcome contact from lead partners, municipalities, public authorities, universities, research organizations and other partners currently building a consortium and seeking complementary scientific expertise. We would be pleased to discuss how our research group could contribute to preparing the joint proposal and its subsequent implementation.

Kind regards,
Valentina Formica
valentina.formica@phd.unict.it

University of Catania
Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment (Di3A)
Catania, Italy

[Cristina Collini]

Dear Helena,
thank you for searing your idea that looks very promising. I’m contacting you as Politecnico di Milano and in particular from the Food Sustainability Lab, a multidisciplinary knowledge centre inside the Department of Management; the group research is dedicated to the sustainable transformation of the agrifood system investigating, developing and experimenting multidimensional innovations in strong connection with local authorities and stakeholders.
We have a strong interest in the call and we believe we bring in several experiences and competences in local food system and methodologies, tested on the ground that can enrich the proposal your are developing. We can contribute to projects by collaborating on testing and scaling up initiatives in other cities that focus on specific urban spaces and are developed within partnerships between public actors, universities, businesses, and civil society.
some of the topics we are experienced are: Experimentation of solutions for reducing food waste and for food aid – Urban gardens and regenerated urban spaces for agricultural use – Technology for urban food systems – Activation and management of collaborative initiatives with a local impact – Training spaces and experiences.
in case you believe we can add our contribution to your proposal, please contact me.
Kind regards,

Cristina Collini
mariacristina.collini@polimi.it

Senior Consultant | Food Sustainability Lab
Politecnico di Milano |Department of Management Economics and Industrial Engineering

[Eleftherios Loizou]

Dear Helena

Following your partner search announcement for the FOODHUB MED project under the upcoming Interreg Euro-MED Call 08, we would like to express the interest of the Nicosia Development Agency (ANEL) in exploring the possibility of joining your proposed consortium.ANEL is an organisation established by local authorities in the Nicosia district of Cyprus to support the sustainable development of its member municipalities. Following the 2024 Local Government Reform in Cyprus, ANEL’s members are the five municipalities of Nicosia, Lakatameia, Strovolos, Latsia–Geri and South Nicosia–Idalion.

ANEL has extensive experience in implementing and managing European transnational and interregional projects, both as a project partner and as a Lead Partner. Our work covers sustainable urban development, environmental protection, circular economy and urban and peri-urban agriculture, among other areas.

The FOODHUB MED concept is particularly relevant to our work, especially regarding sustainable local food systems, local value chains and the development of resilient territorial food networks. Through our member municipalities, we would be interested in exploring the possibility of developing a practical pilot in Cyprus, involving relevant local stakeholders and investigating opportunities to strengthen connections between local producers, food processing and local markets.

Given ANEL’s experience in European project management and its role in supporting five municipalities, we would also welcome a discussion on the potential role ANEL could undertake within the consortium, including the possibility of acting as Lead Partner, depending on the project’s needs and the partnership structure.

Further information about our organisation and project experience is available at: https://www.anel.com.cy/projects.

If you are interested to cooperate with us please write to us at:

aandreou@anel.com.cy and eloizou@anel.com.cy

Thank you in advance

[Center for Development of Pelagonija Planning Region CDPPR]

Dear,

I am writing on behalf of the Center for Development of the Pelagonija Planning Region (CDPPR), from Bitola, Macedonia, to express our interest in establishing cooperation with organisations looking for reliable and experienced partners for Interreg Euro-MED projects.
CDPPR is a public institution for regional development, established by the nine units of local self-government comprising the Pelagonija Planning Region. As a regional development institution, we work closely with municipalities, public institutions, local stakeholders, businesses and civil society organisations to identify and address regional development needs and translate them into concrete projects and actions. Our responsibilities include preparation and implementation of development projects, coordination of regional development activities, support to local communities, promotion of tourism and cultural heritage, and activities related to civil protection, resilience and sustainable territorial development.
CDPPR has substantial experience in project development, partnership building and project implementation under various national and international funding instruments. While Euro-MED would be a new programme framework for our institution, we have practical experience with Interreg cross-border cooperation, including project preparation, partnership coordination, financial and administrative management, implementation of activities, communication and reporting. Our experience also includes projects and initiatives related to sustainable and rural tourism, cultural and natural heritage, local economic development, environmental protection, climate resilience and capacity building of local stakeholders. Through our institutional position, we can also facilitate access to the municipalities and relevant stakeholders across the Pelagonija region and support the testing, adaptation and territorial transfer of innovative solutions and good practices.
For the upcoming Interreg Euro-MED opportunities, we are particularly interested in joining partnerships where our regional expertise, territorial network and capacity to implement pilot actions can provide concrete added value.
If you are looking for a reliable partner from North Macedonia with strong links to local and regional authorities and practical experience in project implementation and territorial development, we would be pleased to discuss potential cooperation.
Please feel free to contact us at info@pelagonijaregion.mk to exchange information about your project ideas, partnership needs and potential areas of cooperation.
We look forward to establishing successful cooperation.

Kind regards,
Jasmina Matevska
Center for Development of Pelagonija Planning Region (CDPPR)
Bitola, Macedonia
info@pelagonijaregion.mk

[Vanya Hristova]

Dear Helena Krajnc,

Haskovo Municipality would like to join a consortium as a project partner.
Within the framework of the Interreg Euro-MED Programme, the Municipality expresses its interest in joining an existing consortium or collaborating with a Lead Partner to develop a joint project proposal.
Our specific interests include:
• Providing a real-life municipal environment for testing innovative, circular and resource-efficient solutions linking agriculture, food production, water management and environmental protection.
• Providing suitable municipal land beside the river for developing a small-scale greenhouse and sustainable food-production demonstration, on land historically used for vegetable cultivation.
• Using the site as a living laboratory to explore resource-efficient and climate-resilient vegetable production, including efficient water use, energy efficient, smart monitoring and sustainable cultivation practices.
• Interest for exploring opportunities for circular use of agricultural and agri-food resources by-products.
• Interest in approaches that reduce resource consumption and environmental pressure while maintaining productive and economically viable local food production.
• Exploring the potential synergy between sustainable greenhouse production, renewable energy, water efficiency, biodiversity protection, circular economy principles and the local agri-food value chain.
• Engaging local agri-food companies, farmers, research organizations, citizens and other stakeholders in the co-development, testing and evaluation of innovative solutions.
• Using the pilot to generate practical lessons and a tested transferable model for other municipalities and regions.
• Aligning tested methodologies with our current SECAP and Climate Strategies to ensure long-term uptake, investment and scalability.
• Sharing established local experience in energy efficiency and contributing to cross-border knowledge transfer and replication within the Euro-MED and Danube macro-regions.

Haskovo has accumulated extensive experience in implementing pilot actions and projects related to energy efficiency, urban development, and climate adaptation. Key reference projects include:
• CARE-GET Project: Funded under the European Urban Initiative (EUI-IA 2nd Call).
• 100 Intelligent Cities Challenge (ICC): Active participation in the EU initiative guiding cities towards green and digital transformation.
• Transition to Climate-Resilient Communities: Funded by the Norwegian Financial Mechanism (Climate Programme, Contract No. BGENVIRONMENT 4.004 0013).
• National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP): Implementation of extensive energy efficiency measures and sustainable urban infrastructure upgrades.

Please contact us at:
Vanya Hristova, Director ENPPE Directorate, Haskovo Municipality
projects_hv@haskovo.bg
http://www.haskovo.bg

[Federica Mazzanti]

Dear FOODHUB MED team,

I am contacting you on behalf of Centro Studi Amministrativi della Marca Trevigiana, an Italian non-profit organisation based in Treviso that supports local authorities through training, technical assistance and territorial cooperation.

We would be interested in exploring the Centre’s involvement in FOODHUB MED as a project partner only. The Centre is particularly interested in promoting its territory and supporting local development, and your approach to connecting local producers, shared infrastructure and markets offers an interesting opportunity.

Its potential contribution could include engaging municipalities and local stakeholders, supporting cooperation around local food supply chains, and helping develop governance models for shared infrastructure.

We understand that you are seeking partners able to contribute to concrete, operational pilots. We would therefore be interested in exploring how the Centre could help bring together a local partnership, involving producers or operators with suitable facilities and technical expertise. A specific pilot site and operational arrangements would need to be identified.

Could you please share the project concept note? We would also welcome your availability for a short online call to discuss a possible collaboration.

Kind regards,
Federica Mazzanti
federica.mazzanti@resolve-consulenza.it

[Stefano Oricchio]

Dear Helena and FOODHUB MED partners,

I am Stefano Oricchio, CEO of PSR & Innovazione Veneto, the agricultural advisory organisation working within the Coldiretti Veneto network, one of Italy’s leading agricultural organisations.

Based in the Veneto Region, our organisation supports more than 10,000 farms through a regional network of over 110 agricultural advisers, promoting innovation, sustainability, business development and cooperation between farmers, universities, public institutions and local communities.

We are particularly interested in the FOODHUB MED initiative, as its objectives are closely aligned with our experience in developing local food systems and strengthening connections between agricultural producers and consumers.

Through the Coldiretti Veneto network and Fondazione Campagna Amica, we can contribute valuable experience in farmers’ markets, direct sales, short food supply chains, local food promotion and sustainable relationships between rural producers and urban communities.

A particularly relevant example is the recent establishment of farmers’ markets in hospitals across Veneto, including Verona, Vicenza, Padua and Mestre, followed by a regional cooperation agreement connecting agriculture, healthcare, healthy nutrition and public institutions.

Our wider network also promotes social farming, educational farms, agri-kindergarten initiatives (Agriasilo), food education and community-based agricultural activities.

PSR & Innovazione Veneto coordinates and participates in several EIP-AGRI Operational Groups, Innovation Hubs and demonstration projects under the Veneto CAP Strategic Plan. These initiatives involve farmers, research institutions and technical advisers in field experimentation, knowledge transfer and the practical adoption of innovative solutions.

We also participate in Food Communities (Comunità del Cibo), supporting cooperation among agricultural producers, local stakeholders and communities to strengthen sustainable food systems, biodiversity, local products and short supply chains.

Within FOODHUB MED, we could contribute to establishing a practical pilot in Veneto, connecting local producers, farmers’ markets and public institutions while exploring shared processing facilities, supply aggregation, sustainable distribution models and innovative food-hub governance.

Our main added value would be the capacity to mobilise agricultural businesses, identify potential pilot sites, coordinate territorial stakeholders, implement demonstration activities and transfer successful solutions across rural and peri-urban areas.

We could also involve scientific partners, Local Action Groups and agricultural educational institutions to strengthen the pilot’s implementation and replicability.

We would welcome the opportunity to receive your project concept note and discuss the current partnership, potential pilot activities and the possible role of PSR & Innovazione Veneto as an operational project partner.

We look forward to exploring this cooperation.

Kind regards,

Stefano Oricchio
stefano.oricchio@coldiretti.it
veneto.psrinnovazione.it

[Kahramanmaraş Metropolitan Municipality]

Dear Project Team,
My name is Beyza Torun, and I am working as an Assistant Project Officer at Kahramanmaraş Metropolitan Municipality (Türkiye).
As Türkiye is eligible to participate in the Interreg NEXT MED Programme as an associated partner, our Municipality would be pleased to join your project as an Associated Partner. I would like to briefly introduce our institution.
Kahramanmaraş Metropolitan Municipality believes that education and development are fundamental values for ensuring peace, dignity and equal opportunities for all. We recognise that every individual and community has the potential to exercise their rights and contribute to society. Our Municipality carries out a wide range of activities aimed at combating unemployment, improving transportation and public transport services, constructing and maintaining roads, promoting the social inclusion of disadvantaged groups, supporting the integration of refugees into social life, improving library services for young people and meeting the basic needs of disadvantaged and vulnerable individuals. In addition, the Municipality acts as a bridge between local stakeholders, fostering cooperation and supporting local development.
The main public services provided by our Municipality include: Water supply, Wastewater collection and treatment, Solid waste collection and disposal, Electricity and natural gas services, Municipal health services, Road construction and maintenance, and stormwater drainage, Street lighting, Municipal parks, recreational areas and public spaces.
We would be delighted to explore opportunities for cooperation and contribute to your project through our institutional experience, local networks and expertise in public service delivery and social inclusion.
Thank you for your time and consideration. We look forward to hearing from you.
Best regards,

Beyza TORUN
Project Coordinator Asisstant
Foreign Relations Department
Kahramanmaraş Metropolitan Municipality
Tel: 0344 228 46 00 /1176
Fax: 0344 228 46 75
e-mail: b.torun@kmbb.bel.tr

[Kruje Municipality]

Dear Helena,

On behalf of Krujë Municipality, Albania, we would like to express our interest in joining your project proposal under the 8th Call of the Interreg Euro-MED Programme, Mission Green Living Areas.

Krujë Municipality is interested in contributing as a project partner and potential pilot territory for testing practical, climate-resilient and nature-based solutions that improve environmental quality and the use of public spaces.

We would be interested in exploring a pilot focused on improving a selected public space through climate-resilient planting, shaded areas, biodiversity enhancement and community participation. Depending on the project concept, we would also be interested in integrating local plant heritage and environmental education.

The municipality could contribute by identifying a suitable pilot location, facilitating cooperation with local stakeholders and residents, supporting implementation and promoting the integration of project results into local planning and practice.

We would appreciate the opportunity to learn more about your project concept, the current partnership structure and the potential role of Krujë Municipality.

We would be pleased to arrange a short online meeting to discuss possible cooperation.

Kind regards,
Eneida Marku
eneida.marku@gmail.com
On behalf of Krujë Municipality
Albania

[Etjona Hoxha]

Dear Ms Krajnc,
I am writing on behalf of the Municipality of Delvina, Albania, following your partnership announcement concerning the FOODHUB MED initiative under Interreg Euro-MED Call 8.
Delvina is a small municipality in southern Albania, located inland from the Ionian coast, near Saranda. Its territory is characterised by a predominantly rural landscape, agricultural activities and close geographical connections to the coastal tourism economy. This creates opportunities to strengthen links between local agricultural production, food markets and the demand generated by nearby tourism destinations.
The municipality is particularly interested in approaches that support rural livelihoods, local producers and more sustainable territorial food systems.
We believe that your proposed approach to territorial food hubs could offer an interesting opportunity to test more resilient and locally integrated food systems.
Delvina would be interested in exploring a pilot connecting local agricultural producers, markets and relevant public institutions, with a particular emphasis on practical coordination mechanisms, community participation and sustainable management of local food resources.
The municipality could contribute through local stakeholder mobilisation, identification of potential demonstration activities, coordination with producers and the integration of project results into local development practices.
We would appreciate learning more about the status of the FOODHUB MED proposal, particularly whether a Lead Partner has been identified and whether an Albanian municipality could join the consortium as a funded beneficiary.
We would be pleased to provide further information and explore potential cooperation.

Kind regards,
Etjona Hoxha
etjona.hoxha1@gmail.com
On behalf of the Municipality of Delvina

[Author]

Posts