Case study fact sheet. Bio-distretto Cilento - Italy

Summary

It is not by chance that the first Italian biodistrict was developed in Cilento, land of nature, culture, history and food traditions. The long‐term commitment and the remarkable efforts of various private and public stakeholders in support of Cilento Bio‐distretto have produced, over time, a number of interesting results. First, some important progress has been experienced in the development in the Cilento area of the organic sector, both in terms of operator numbers and land area. Second, the establishment of short supply chain outlets like, organic farmers’ markets, organic purchase groups and green public procurement and a number of other initiatives specifically targeting tourists have contributed to create stable market outlets for local organic products, thus meeting farmers’ need for viable market opportunities which was originally the intention of the creation of the Bio‐distretto initiative. Third, through its continued active presence in the area and its multiple initiatives, the Bio‐distretto project contributed to the protection of local foods and traditions as well as of the Mediterranean Diet heritage. Fourth, the Bio‐distretto Cilento succeeded in creating relatively permanent socio‐economic links between inland and coastland areas as well as between agriculture and other promising economic sectors in the region. Fifth, as a result of the many initiatives, it is claimed that the turnover of local organic farms and enterprises participating to the Bio‐distretto activities has increased by about 20% on average in these years. Sixth, the presence of Bio‐distretto project contributed to spread the “green economy and lifestyle” culture in the area (differentiated waste collection, renewable energies, bioarchitecture). Seventh, many of the activities carried out under the Bio‐distretto umbrella have managed to test and introduce innovative solutions to local problems and to broaden horizons with innovative projects, like care farming.