tpo_dossier_action-plan-for-innovation-and-learning_201406

2.217CONTACT:SALVATORE BASILEBIODISTRETTO@AIAB.ITWEBSITES:WWW.BIODISTRETTO.ITWWW.BIODISTRETTO.NETBIO-DISTRICTS:THE ORGANIC APPROACH TORURAL DEVELOPMENT (ITALY)The Cilento bio-district, in the Campania Region in SouthernItaly, was launched in 2009 by AIAB (Italian Association forOrganic Agriculture). A bio-district is a geographical area whereall stakeholders (farmers, consumers, public authorities, researchand training centres, industry, tourist operators and associations)enter into an agreement for the sustainable management oflocal resources. This creates a strong local network reinforcedby local policies oriented towards the protection of theenvironment, traditions and local knowledge.In bio-districts, the promotion of organic produce isinextricably linked with the promotion of the land and itsspecial characteristics so that together they can fully realise theireconomic, social and cultural potential. This benefits tourismand the local economy, all based on the respect and protectionof local resources.About 400 local organic farmers (23% of the region’s organicfarms) promoted the creation of the bio-district, and they arethe major stakeholders. By joining the Bio-district Pact, theyguarantee that their produce is typical of the area, organic andGMO-free.Thirty-two municipalities are involved in the Cilento biodistrict,providing information and promotion, nutritioneducation in schools, and activating organic canteens and othergreen purchase initiatives. The Province and the CampaniaRegion also provide funds and direct their own programmes.Many other municipalities in the district, impressed by theresults, have applied to join the initiative. AIAB Campania is theoverall coordinator responsible for managing it.organic markets were inaugurated. Since then, the bio-districthas created a network of 20 restaurants and 10 seaside resorts(bio-beaches), committed to promoting the produce of farmsand farming associations. The bio-beaches have exceeded allexpectations, with territorial marketing initiatives and standspromoting local organic food. As a further promotion of ecotourism,a number of bio-routes have been set up that take infarms, bio-towns, organic state-owned land, environmentalsites linking inland rural areas and coastal tourist areas.Many enterprises, driven by the increasing demand forlocal goods, have presented structural modernisation projectsto the Campania Region, to improve production, promotediversification or protect the environment. All bio-district actorsparticipate in a round table to identify sources of available fundsfor annually programmed activities.Results are very positive: Demand for organic productsis growing; supply chains have shortened; more farms arebecoming multifunctional and converting to organic; moreenvironment protection initiatives are in place; and tourist flowsare increasing throughout the year and not just in the summermonths.Towards a European and internationalnetwork of biodistrictsHaving seen the economic, environmental and social impactof the Cilento Bio-district, AIAB is actively engaged in promotingand coordinating bio-districts in other areas of the country. Biodistrictshave already been set up in the Calabria, Lazio, Tuscany,Liguria, Piemonte, Trentino-Alto Adige, Molise and Marcheregions.At the international level, efforts are made to establish anetwork of bio-districts and similar types of projects. Morespecifically, the Cilento Bio-district has recently signed acollaboration agreement with Biovallée in France.In July 2009, with the participation of the local authorities,the bio-district’s first ethical purchasing groups and several