The Western Stara Planina Innovation Hub in Bulgaria recently held events promoting agroecological farming to both local residents and the European Commission.
The first event, on 3 June 2023 in the village of Prevala, was to outline the purpose of Agroecology-Transect, and took place as part of the Live Food Festival (Ferment Fest).
The workshop explored the main focus areas of the Western Stara Planin Innovation Hub, testing the result-based agri-environmental scheme (RBAPS) on grasslands, and looking at future marketing activities. Citizen science activities of Agroecology-Transect were also presented and discussed.
You can find out more about the event (in Bulgarian and English) on the Festival of Fermentation website
The second event, Sustainability of Food System, was a panel discussion that took place on 27 May 2023 at the Farm Charm Bakery in Sofia.
Innovation Hub leaders STEP joined the Good Food Good Farming (GFGF) initiative to set up a Food for Talk visit in Bulgaria. The event discussed sustainable food systems and was designed to send a message to the European Commission in the form of a short film, advocating for food and agriculture that work in favour of all people, biodiversity and climate. This is to coincide with the first version of the EU Sustainable Food Systems Regulation, which is expected to lead to changes in the Common Agricultural Policy.
You can find out more about the event (in Bulgarian and English) on STEP’s website.