The overall objective of the project is to promote sustainable, local agri-food chains and regional bioeconomy development. BIOPRO Regions (Bio & Proximity Products Regions) is closely aligned with the European Green Deal and its Farm to Fork Strategy, which aims to reduce the climate footprint of Europe's food system. The project focuses on sustainable food production, processing, distribution, and consumption, with particular emphasis on short supply chains, local products, and environmentally friendly practices.

Local and regional administrations are key entities in promoting more sustainable policies due to their driving effect (closeness to entities and citizens), regulatory capacity, financing capacity, and specialized services. The project brings together public organizations with complementary experiences and competences in the field of bio-production and proximity products.

Key priorities and activities:

• Exchange of good practices to promote more sustainable production and consumption policies and strategies
• Collaborative work to improve resources and competences towards the promotion of more sustainable production and consumption policies
• Development of regional policy instruments to support organic farming, circular economy, and local value chains
• Organization of study visits, workshops, and seminars for the transfer of good practices and knowledge sharing among partner regions
• Introduction of eco-labelling for local products ("produced in a protected area")
• Support for traditional extensive farming on biologically valuable areas

Project partners:

The project is implemented by 8 partners from 7 different European countries:

• Intermunicipal Community of Ave (CIM do Ave) – lead partner – Portugal
• Dalarna County – Sweden
• Municipality of Tetovo – North Macedonia
• ANEL (Regional Development Agency) – Cyprus
• Central Transdanubian Regional Innovation Agency Nonprofit Ltd. (CTRIA) - Hungary
• Regional Development Agency of Backa – Serbia
• Agriculture Chamber of Dordogne – France
• ALMPA (Protected Area Management) – Litthuania

Duration of the project: May 1, 2025 – May 31, 2028

The official project website: https://www.interregeurope.eu/biopro-regions