Slovenia impressed the European Regions of Gastronomy Platform with their proposal to become candidate for the award in 2021. Slovenia, has already taken important steps to towards the Award, with ten key institutions already signing a protocol agreement demonstrating their firm commitment for Slovenia to bid for the title in 2021. Slovenian stakeholders have already held several meetings in order to clarify the main objectives that the region intends to achieve through the title, as well as the key focus areas they will be working on. The Executive Committee includes representatives from public, private, third sector and knowledge institutions thus complying with the participatory approach required by IGCAT.
Darja Škufca Adlešič, from the Ministry of Economic Development and Technology and appointed Coordinator of Slovenia, candidate European Region of Gastronomy 2021, together with Barbara Zmrzliker, Head of Research of the Slovenian Tourist Board, represented Slovenia at the meeting and announced the region’s future plans as a candidate for the title.
The European Region of Gastronomy Platform unanimously supported the candidacy and agreed to work with Slovenia to nurture and support the development of joint projects. In the framework of the 13th Regions of Gastronomy meeting, held in North Brabant, European Region of Gastronomy 2018 (The Netherlands), from 27 February to 2 March 2018, IGCAT signed the protocol agreement thus formally accepting the candidacy.
IGCAT Expert, Prof. Janez Bogataj has been appointed to draft Slovenia’s bid book, that needs to be submitted by 30 May 2018. The bid book will be then assessed by a jury of international IGCAT Experts with expertise in different sectors who will evaluate if the region presented a strong candidature.
With its bid, Slovenia hopes to join the ten currently awarded regions: Catalonia and Minho, European Regions of Gastronomy 2016; Aarhus/Central Denmark Region, East Lombardy and Riga-Gauja, European Regions of Gastronomy 2017; Galway-West of Ireland and North Brabant, European Regions of Gastronomy 2018; Sibiu and South Aegean, European Regions of Gastronomy 2019; and Kuopio, European Region of Gastronomy 2020.
Regions increasingly recognise the huge value of collaborating in a knowledge exchange-based network and committing for a title that supports them in the pursue for sustainable regional development.
The European Region of Gastronomy Platform and Award aim to contribute to better quality of life in European regions, by highlighting distinctive food cultures, educating for better health and sustainability and stimulating gastronomic innovation. IGCAT (International Institute of Gastronomy, Culture, Arts and Tourism) organises the award with the support of European institutions.
IGCAT is a non-profit organisation established in 2012 working in the fields of gastronomy, culture, arts and tourism. Through its worldwide network of experts, IGCAT aims to empower local communities by guiding, facilitating, and supporting local leaders in cities, regions and cultural projects to understand the potential of their distinct food, culture, arts and sustainable tourism assets. IGCAT is the official secretariat for the Region of Gastronomy Platform and provides the European Region of Gastronomy Award, the European Young Chef Award and the Local Food Gift Project.
2 March 2018
