Many organic actors from around the world aspire to emulate organic villages and bio-districts. These geographical areas are quite special. They are proof of what happens when producers, community members, local authorities, tour operators and local stakeholders band together.
The Cilento Bio-district in the Campania region in Italy, for example, spans over 3,000 square kilometres, 37 municipalities. Since its establishment, the local economy got a boost as consumers bought local. The bottom-up approach in Cilento also showed how farmers can influence policy and stir it towards a sustainable and inclusive path.
But how does one even begin to establish a bio-district? And what does it take to sustain it?
On 27 March at 1 p.m. CET, IFOAM – Organics International will host a webinar exploring the foundations of bio-districts—how it was initiated, who are involved, what are the challenges in starting and maintaining the project?
Aina Calafat Rogers, a resident of a bio-district and member of the International Network of Eco Regions (IN.N.E.R.), will talk about how bio-districts are built on a community level. Cesare Zanasi of Università di Bologna will discuss the principles of agroecology and how it is crucial in building a territorial food system. Juan Pablo Sciurano of IN.N.E.R., meanwhile, will discuss the processes in advancing bio-districts in Argentina in Serbia, while Samia Maamer of the Ministry of Agriculture in Tunisia will share their lessons in establishing territorial food systems. Te-Chun Chen, Naturland International Development and Strategy Coordinator and IN.N.E.R. global ambassador, will moderate the webinar.
The webinar is designed to help organic actors who want to emulate bio-districts and provide inspirations that can be implemented in their localities. Some of the topics that will be discussed are:
- How are territorial food systems such as bio-districts initiated and how are they sustained?
- How has the establishment of the bio-district changed the local economy and the social and political environment of the area?
- What are the challenges in sustaining a bio-district or similar local initiatives?
- In some areas in Spain, community building and education, especially of children, play a big part in the creation of bio-district. Why did INNER implement this approach and what are the impacts of this approach?
- How can organic actors from non-EU countries initiate an organic district?
Join the conversation on 27 March | 1 PM CET
Register: https://us06web.zoom.us/…/581…/WN__ypDwxI8R8WJPN_WS–aAw
Source: IFOAM Organics Int.
