The Action Plan for the Development of Organic Production adopted in March 2021 takes the approach that, in order to stimulate organic production, consumer demand for organic products should grow. This requires, amongst other things, increased public awareness of the characteristics and benefits of organic production.
For this purpose, the Action Plan includes the launch of annual awards recognising excellence in the organic value chain. These awards will be awarded for the third time on 23 September 2024, which is EU Organic Day.
Categories and awards
The EU organic awards comprise 8 awards across 7 different categories. They acknowledge different actors along the organic value chain that have developed an excellent, innovative, sustainable, and inspiring project producing real added value for organic production and consumption.
The applications for the third edition open on 4 March 2024. You can preview the questions in the application forms, to help the jury obtain more information about the applicants.
- Category 1: Best organic farmer (female) and Best organic farmer (male) - The objective of this award is to reward a farmer (one female and one male). This award is organised by COPA-COGECA and IFOAM Organics Europe.
- Category 2: Best organic region - The objective of this award is to reward a region. This award is organised by the European Committee of the Regions.
- Category 3: Best organic city - The objective of this award is to reward a city. This award is organised by European Committee of the Regions.
- Category 4: Best organic bio-district - The objective of this award is to reward a “bio-district”. This award is organised by the European Committee of the Regions.
- Category 5: Best organic food processing SME - The objective of this award is to reward a Small and Medium-sized Enterprise (SME) processing organic products. This award is organised by the European Economic and Social Committee.
- Category 6: Best organic food retailer - The objective of this award is to reward an SME food retailer selling organic products. This award is organised by the European Economic and Social Committee.
- Category 7: Best organic restaurant/food service - The objective of this award is to reward an SME restaurant/food service restaurant (standalone or part of a hotel) and/or food service (caterer or canteen) proposing organic certified references in their menu. This award is organised by the European Economic and Social Committee.
More information at this LINK
Source: European Commission