Award
An independent and international panel of IGCAT experts spanning different sectors assess the regions’ potential to be awarded.
The panel of experts is chosen from different fields of competence including tourism, culture, hospitality, environment, heritage and agriculture underlining the need for cross-sectorial collaboration throughout the region in order to find solutions to today’s challenges.
The Award provides the occasion for communities to work together towards a shared objective and, therefore ensures great benefits in terms of local cohesion.
Raising citizen awareness about the food they eat, the value of local products and the need to innovate in order to protect local produce are key areas of the programme. Therefore, the project is not just concerned with attracting visitors to the region but also in the longer-term benefits by educating for better and healthier lifestyles and supporting Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).
Benefits
Showcase
the region´s distinct cultural and food assets internationally by giving visibility to traditional food ways
Catalyst
for development in the region through the regional stakeholder group
Build regional identity
and pride in local citizens with regard to distinct cultural and food assets
Support local economies
by stimulating public and private sector funding potential
Awareness of wider food issues
for healthy living and sustainability both through educational programs and wider citizen engagement projects
Focus on innovation and learning
to support smart growth and thus provide new skills and new opportunities for SMEs
Encourage
the use, promotion and innovation of local food products
Environmental protection
and protecting biodiversity
Sustainable tourism
improving the quality of products and hospitality provision in the region