Official delegation from North Greece visited the Rodopi region from February 20 until March 2, 2008.

 

The visit took place as a result of the extended cooperation between the municipalities of Banite, Laki and Chepelare and the Foundation for Local Government Reform on Bulgarian side, and organizations from Kavala prefecture on Greek side in the process of establishing Local action group (LAG) based on the LEADER approach.

 

The Greek delegation consisted of representatives of the Steering Committee of Kavala Development LAG, representatives of the municipalities - LAG members, representatives of the LAG itself, and two representatives of the Greek Ministry of Agriculture.

The Greek delegation visited the Bulgarian municipalities of Banite, Laki and Chepelare. 

In the process of strengthening LAG capacities trilateral agreement for cooperation between Kavala Development LAG, Rodopi Development (Greece), Prespa LAG (consisting of the Bulgarian municipalities of Banite, Laki and Chepelare), and the Foundation for Local Government Reform was signed on February 29 in the city of Smolyan. 

 

The main areas for cooperation between Bulgarian and Greek LAGs and FLGR will be: organic agriculture, development of tourism and introduction of quality standards in tourist services and products, human resource development and historical and cultural heritage. The methods of cooperation will take the form of joint initiatives and events, projects development, research and studies, exchange of information and good practices.

First kick off joint initiative came from the Greek partners who invited Bulgarian counterparts in a joint project for promotion of a joint tourist product in Rodopi territory named “Cultural Routes Development”. The project aims to describe common customs, develop joint cultural routes, and organize Bulgarian-Greek festivals. The project will be financed by the Greek Ministry of agriculture, while the activities that will take place on the territory of Bulgaria will be financed by the municipalities themselves. 

 

This cooperation agreement is open to other LAGs, which would like to implement joint projects with the agreement parties.

 

For more information:

Nikoleta Efremova