On 13 December 2017 the closing presentation of the project “Analysis and Feasibility Study for the common Marketing of Regional Products from the Euroregion PRO EUROPA VIADRINA in Gorzów Wielkopolski and Frankfurt (Oder)” took place in the town hall of Gorzów.
In the summer of 2017, aconium GmbH was contracted with the project financed by the INTERREG V A fund for small projects. The objective was to analyse two planned projects with a feasibility study. Those undertakings aim to support the transboundary commercialisation of local products of the Euroregion PRO EUROPA VIADRINA in the long term and involve the building of a trade yard in Frankfurt (Oder) and the modernisation of the market hall in Gorzów Wielkopolski. For the study aconium GmbH interviewed 200 local actors. After analysing the most important products of the region and marketing as well as competition structures, the project team developed specific recommendations for action.
The study concludes that the Euroregion PRO EUROPA VIADRINA has a wide range of regional products with a producer structure divided into small sections. This includes especially food from agriculture such as fruit and vegetables. However, a similar product range and different prices in Poland and Germany mar transboundary commercialisation.
For the two planned projects in Frankfurt (Oder) and Gorzów the findings of the study recommend a superior operating structure and organisational form for the local distributors and producers. In addition to that, a varied utilisation concept for the buildings must be developed and information about the offered local products, distributors and traditional manufacturing processes provided.
Nele Meyer, Joanna Muszynska and Britta Schmigotzki of aconium GmbH presented the findings of the study at the closing presentation in Gorzów and discussed the results with the contracting authorities. The approximately 40 participants included representatives of the cities of Frankfurt (Oder), Gorzów Wielkopolski and the Euroregion PRO EUROPA VIADRINA as well as tourism associations, distributors of local products and further institutions of the region. Furthermore, the experts from Poland and Germany presented their experiences with the commercialisation of a region, for example with the old apple variety „Landsberger Renette“ recultivated and merchandised since 2009 in Gorzów Wielkopolski.
The participants highlighted the importance of connecting all actors and the realisation of common marketing activities, such as a transboundary shopping guide. The partner cities were pleased with the findings and will now decide how to implement the projects. In addition, they will discuss further actions for a sustainable transboundary commercialisation. Most importantly, this will include the search for cooperation partners.
Photo: Presentation of the project “Analysis and Feasibility Study for the common Marketing of Regional Products from the Euroregion PRO EUROPA VIADRINA in Gorzów Wielkopolski and Frankfurt (Oder)” at the town hall of Gorzów on 13 December 2017. From the left: Tomasz Gierczak (city council Gorzów), Eugeniusz Kurzawski (Secretary-General of the city), Britta Schmigotzki und Nele Meyer (both aconium GmbH), Mario Quast (business development Frankfurt (Oder)), Agnieszka Sokołowska (city council Gorzów) Andrea Prix (business development Frankfurt (Oder)) und Joanna Muszynska (aconium GmbH).
Photocredit: aconium GmbH.