Organic Trade 4 Development in Eastern Europe (OT4D)
Project Timeline:
2019 - 2023
Implementing Target Countries:
Albania, Serbia and Ukraine
Funded by:
State Secretariat for Economic Affairs SECO
Overview
Europe has favourable natural conditions for organic farming and huge growth potential. The ever-increasing demand in the Swiss and European markets and an emerging domestic market for healthy food in Eastern Europe provides interesting business opportunities in particular in exportation and local market development. A number of actions were identified such as strengthening sector institutions and advisory services, producer group development and value chain upgrading, developing of market strategies and consumer awareness raising.
The overall goal is to increase and enhance jobs in rural areas, particularly for youth and women, and to contribute to the multiple positive effects of organic farming in terms of economic growth, innovation and natural environment.
Concrete Objectives
Organic exports will be developed through public engagement with the Swiss organic sourcing industry. The Swiss organic sourcing industry will be invited to participate in a call for a project with the objective of increasing the competitiveness and value addition of existing or new supply chains originating from the Western Balkans or Ukraine. The private sector is expected to contribute at least 50% of the project costs.
The implementation of Organic 3.0 in the partner countries contributes to the sustainable growth of their organic sectors. At the core is the development of the domestic market, including both the demand and supply side. The focus is on capacity development for value chain stakeholders, producers and processors, sector institutions and market systems plus advocacy and awareness raising.
