The international cooperation in the Mediterranean basin for an

integrated rural development:

The Leader Med project and Apulia Region experience with Syria

Annarita Antonelli, CIHEAM - IAMBAnnarita Antonelli, CIHEAM - IAMBCasablanca, 8-9 November 2007Casablanca, 8-9 November 2007

In Syria……In Syria……

Previous experience of Previous experience of cooperationcooperationItalian Cooperation project “Technical assistance for the Improvement of olive oil quality in Syria”

Among its objectives:To foster Syrian olive oil promotion and improve its quality in the territory of Idleb

Apulia Leader + Programme Apulia Leader + Programme

The LEADER MED project is connected to the Apulia LEADER + AXIS II TRANS-NATIONAL COOPERATION

Legal reference

Article 20, paragraph 1 of EC Reg. 1260/99

 Communication to Member States 2000/C 139/05 of 18 May 2000

In Apulia……In Apulia……

The The LEADER MED project…LEADER MED project…

Born in 2005, the project aims to be ended in the year 2010 using:

until 2008 Leader + resources the future 2007-2013 EU Rural development

funds and Neighbourhood policy

Cooperation among Territories: LEADER Plus Program– LEADERMED Project

Turkey

Lebanon

Syria

Malta

Apulian LAGs DIALOGUE BETWEEN TERRITORIES

The LEADER MED project…The LEADER MED project…

• Among its aims, to seek the synergies between the EU and the MTCs, the complementarities, the mutual advantages, the typicalness of Mediterranean products that could find a common enhancement on global markets.

• Italy, and Apulia region, for its geographical position, history and culture, can play a crucial role in relaunching the Euro-Mediterranean policy.

The Leader Med general objectiveThe Leader Med general objective

Development of Mediterranean rural areasDevelopment of Mediterranean rural areas

• improving quality of life• better distribution of welfare • increasing work opportunities• increasing availability of socio-cultural services• increasing environmental sustainability • increasing the self confidence of the groups and of the

individuals

The Leader Med specific objectivesThe Leader Med specific objectives

1. Harmonization of Rural development in bottom-up integrated LEADER approach and food quality standards

2. Quality label of guaranteed typical Mediterranean products

and rural areas

3. Construction of the Mediterranean common area

4. Pilot projects

The LEADER MED project organizationThe LEADER MED project organization

• For the management a Lead LAG of the Leader Med project was identified, namely the Alto Salento LAG

• It is supported by a Management Board • For each Country and Pilot action is identified a

LAG• The CIHEAM-IAM Bari has been designated as a

technical support structure

The LEADER MED pilot project in SyriaThe LEADER MED pilot project in Syria

• Socioeconomic analysis of the territory• Stakeholders participation• Identification of the potentialities to be valorised

and definition of a “system” around a typical product representative of the territory

• Development of a network of positive relationships

TYPICALRURAL

PRODUCT:

OLIVE OIL

Local production system:Typical produce

Cultural activities:Events & activities related to

Museums, Culture, etc.

Hospitality:Hotels, restaurants, shops

Territory & Environment:Cultural resources,

Arts & crafts

The LEADER MED systemThe LEADER MED system

THE OLIVE ROAD PILOT PROJECTTHE OLIVE ROAD PILOT PROJECT

FORMATION OF DEVELOPMENT AGENCY

(LAG)CREATION

OF THEPATH

TOOLS FOR FUTURE

SUSTAINABILITYOF THE PROJECT

The partners of the The partners of the Development Agency Development Agency Mixed partnership including representatives from involved institutions and private bodies

Apulia Region LAG Terra d’Arneo LAG Alto Salento Mediterranean Agronomic Institute - Bari

Syri

an

P

art

ners

Ministry of Agriculture GCSAR Idleb Governorate NGO “Al Adyiet”

Italian

P

art

ners

The Olive RoadThe Olive RoadIdentification of archeological sites and museums, activities and produce, tourist potentialities

• Promotional material

Tools for the implementation of the activityTools for the implementation of the activity

•Road signs•Visitors'

centre “Olive Road” at the Idleb Museum to provide information and organize initiatives

Promoting quality…..Promoting quality…..

•Correct production disciplinaryCorrect production disciplinaryin order to ensure traceability and quality of in order to ensure traceability and quality of the produce and to avoid speculationsthe produce and to avoid speculations

• Distinctive stickers logosDistinctive stickers logosregistered through the Ministry of Agricultureregistered through the Ministry of Agriculture

Security sticker for Olive Road produceSecurity sticker for Olive Road produce

Criteria selection of the activities and Criteria selection of the activities and produceproduce

• Importance in the rural economy of the region

• Appreciation of the role of women and youth

• Typical produce. Quality features• Respect of hygienic basics• Respect for the basic safety requirements

ConclusionsConclusions

• Successful experience of integrated rural development

• Strong administrative support by the Ministry of Agriculture and international organizations as CIHEAM

• A process of improving quality of production has started in a context in which no rules were adopted before

• Starting point for similar initiatives in other Syrian regions