RURAL INCOMES

A fundamental principle of Fundatia ADEPT’s programme is that conservation of the biodiversity of this semi-natural, anthropogenic area is only possible by maintaining the area’s economic viability. ADEPT is implementing a range of measures to create demand that will boost local income from agriculture and from other diversified, value added income sources.

ADEPT works with the communities to improve their economic viability and discourages dependency on subsidy

ADEPT has delivered a series of courses for small food producers to prepare them for impact of EU accession which threatens traditional production. The first micro-enterprise courses, linking biodiversity to improved markets for local products, was held in Saschiz in February 2005 when a food technologist delivered a course on food hygiene to 20 local producers, plus regional and national food safety inspectors. The course was delivered in cooperation with ANCA and the The Romanian Food Safety Authority (SVFSA).

The visit of Slow Food  (Italy) in 2005 instigated by ADEPT assisted in the formation of a food producer group who received marketing assistance and attended an international Slow Food food festival in Turin in October 2006, funded by the Slow Food Foundation for Biodiversity. This promoted the link between quality and price and inspired the producers who attended to realise that their produce really was of high quality.

ADEPT helped form  Slow Food Sigishoara, the first such group in the Romania, bringing together consumers (hotels and restaurants) with local farmers and producers. A range of products were registered with the Slow Food Ark of Taste.

ADEPT designed and built eight low-technology solar driers which will improve household storage of herbs and vegetables and provide marketable products (although most households have in fact kept the production for their own consumption) . The driers were made locally by village carpenters.

ADEPT is bottling local honey for sale to tourists as gifts to take home that will remind of the rich biodiversity of the area. Bee keepers received twice the price they obtained when selling their honey in bulk for blending.

On 15th August 2007, Slow Food Sigishoara served a range of local products at the Saschiz Festival in competition with traditional fast foods. It was so successful that the the Mayor decided to only allow local products in 2008.

Farmers Market, Bucharest

On 15th December 2007, the first farmers market in Romania was launched at Pita Amzei. Twenty three producers from all over Romania brought a range of meat products, cheeses, jam and honey, herbal teas and bread. The event attracted much media attention and approximately 10,000 people attended on the day. A photo gallery has been created to record this great achievement. Double click on each photograph or use the arrows to create slide show. The market will run every week from 12 April to October 2008. See http://www.targultaranului.ro/ for the latest news.

Heritage in Danger Exhibition

For 2008, the ADEPT Community Fund will support a traditional carpet weaver exhibit her products in the autumn in London. The exhibition will be jointly held with an artist and it is hoped that the proceeds of the event will add a further £1000 to help establish the Tarnava Mare Weavers Association to further promote this traditional craft.

Community Fund

The ADEPT Foundation launched a community fund in 2006. The fund will facilitate small projects that bring immediate benefit to the community.

For example the 2006/7 project was to repair a water fountain that brings fresh spring water to the heart of Saschiz. The fund paid for materials and the Town Hall arranged the labour.

From 2008, the fund will help develop traditional craft groups and will initially provide support for traditional weavers in the village of Malancrav to form a Tarnava Mare Weavers Association that will help them gain access to markets.

Tourists visiting the area have welcomed the creation of this fund. If you would like to contribute to this initiative please contact info@adept-foundation.org or make a donation when visiting the Tourist Information Centre, Saschiz.

Brand Image – pulling it all together

The Tarnava Mare umbrella brand is already helping create an identity for the area, symbolising the link between nature conservation and community prosperity, and between good environmental practices and high-quality local products, in the minds of local people and consumers.

ADEPT is further helping communities develop an effective brand image for the area, including a form of Environmental Quality Mark under which local products and services will be immediately recognisable.