This year 5th International Congress of Rural Tourism is organized in a period 27-30 April, 2022 in Cavtat, Croatia and brought together 400 participants from 15 countries.
“Sunflower award of rural tourism in Croatia” awarded 59 prizes. Candidates were evaluated in eight categories, and 138 registered projects from 19 regions are an indicator of the high quality of projects in rural tourism.
Many panel discussions were organized in the scope of the conference and one of them was panel discussion “Encouraging alternative activities in rural areas through EAFRD funds” organized by the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Croatia. The following panelists participated: Mr. Tugomir Majdak, State Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Croatia; Mr. Boban Ilic, Secretary General of the Standing Working Group for Regional Rural Development (SWG), Ms. Silvia Michelini, Director for Rural Development in the Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development (DG AGRI) at the European Commission, Ms. Katarina Slejko, head of the Local Action Group “LAG 5” in the Dubrovnik-Neretva County; Mr. Vlaho Komparak, owner of the family farm Komparak from Korcula – beneficiary of Measure 06 – Development of agricultural holdings and business; type of operation 6.4.1. development of non-agricultural activities in rural areas.
SWG developed various studies on Food Quality Policies but on brooder area of Western Balkans products are not protected according to EU standards. Networking and joint cooperation is very important and it has no alternative, as well as the entry of the Western Balkans into the EU, thus the application of common agricultural policy stated Mr. Boban Ilic during discussion.
During the Conference, Ms. Dori Pavloska-Gjorgjieska, SWG Senior Project Manager presented Explore Balkans Brand.
Participation at the Conference was supported within the Project: “Promotion of Economic Diversification in Rural Areas of South-Eastern Europe (SEDRA II) in SEE – Value chain capacity building on agriculture and rural tourism to promote rural employment opportunities” supported by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development and GIZ North Macedonia and implemented by the SWG RRD.
