In Bucharest, Romania’s three European Regions of Gastronomy, Harghita (awarded 2027), Banat (candidate 2028), and Dobrogea (candidate 2029), have joined forces in a new formal collaboration. The International Institute of Gastronomy, Culture, Arts and Tourism (IGCAT) is excited to highlight this milestone, marked by a protocol signed at the National Institute of Heritage (INP), which lays the foundation for joint projects celebrating gastronomy, culture, and heritage.
The protocol, signed by Valeria-Oana Zaharia, Acting Manager of INP, together with representatives from each region, Szabó Károly (ADI Harghita), Dr. Simona Neumann (Visit Timiș), Carmen Ispas (UNPR RSE), and Teodora Moraru (UNPR RSE), sets a clear framework for cultural projects, gastronomic initiatives, and sustainable tourism programs.
Over recent years, the three regions have worked together informally through knowledge exchanges and mutual support. The new agreement within the IGCAT network gives this collaboration a strategic dimension, enabling joint national and international representation, coordinated promotional initiatives, and the development of interregional projects such as gastronomic routes, programs for local producers and young chefs, and European-level initiatives.
The partnership reflects a shared vision: leveraging Romania’s culinary diversity and cultural heritage to build a strong national voice within the European Regions of Gastronomy network and beyond. By joining forces, Harghita, Banat, and Dobrogea demonstrate that gastronomy-driven development is most effective when based on cooperation, complementarity, and long-term strategy.
As the awarding body of the European Region’s of Gastronomy, IGCAT commends the National Institute of Heritage and the three regions for creating a robust framework where gastronomy, heritage, and community intersect, and looks forward to supporting the operationalization of this collaboration through impactful projects, events, and knowledge-sharing in the years ahead.
About the World/European Regions of Gastronomy
World Regions of Gastronomy, guided by IGCAT, are working together to strengthen food security through the celebration of distinctive food cultures; create employment by stimulating creativity and gastronomic innovation; nourish children and adults through culinary and cultural education; driving environmental sustainability in tourism, hospitality and agricultural sectors; supporting balance and sustainable tourism practices; highlighting and supporting expertise from within rural and urban communities, creating connections and sharing good practices; and contributing to community health and well-being.
About IGCAT
IGCAT aims to empower local communities by raising awareness of the importance of protecting and promoting distinct regional food, culture, arts and natural assets as part of sustainable and balanced tourism and development strategies. This is essential to safeguarding our planet, health, wellness and local economies.
IGCAT is a non-profit institute established in 2012, working with regional stakeholder consortiums in the fields of gastronomy, culture, arts and tourism. It counts on the expertise of a worldwide network of experts and works in partnership with specialised intergovernmental organisations.
IGCAT founded the World/European Region of Gastronomy Award and is the official secretariat for the World/European Regions of Gastronomy Platforms. Furthermore, the Institute has developed the European Young Chef Award, the World Food Gift Challenge, the Top Foodie Websites and the international Food Film Menu.
