DIONYSOS
Developing Identity on Yield, Soil and Site
DIONYSOS Project
Developing Identity ON Yield, SOil and Site
Department of Food Science & Human Nutrition - Agricultural University of Athens
TRANSCOOP - Agency for Transnational Training and Development
Haskovo Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Federation of Professional, Crafts and Trade Associations of Evros
Institute of Viticulture and Enology Pleven
Kavala Development Agency - Local Authorities Enterprise
Municipality of Kirkovo
Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences, University of Plovdiv "Paisii Hilendarski"
THE PROJECT
DIONYSOS Project aims to revitalize local wine varieties and wine tradition as a means to preserving biodiversity and as a lever for the development of the area. In this context, DIONYSOS aims at raising and utilizing local wine varieties and local wines as a special natural and cultural asset for the project area and as a means to distinguishing and differentiating it. In the same sense, the project seeks to enrich and promote local wine production with local wine varieties, while enhancing the local productive identity by applying integrated approaches to the promotion of the region as a wine tourism destination.
To this end, bodies with different background and supplementary specialization, as e.g. research institutes with focus on wine, agencies dealing with tourism development, agencies representing local businesses and the local authorities as the main actors in development planning, join this cooperation pursuing the synthesis of their experience and actively contributing to the development of the region's attractiveness, besides enhancing the role of the relevant wine-growers and wine making enterprises.
DIONYSOS project is being implemented in the framework of the INTERREG V-A GREECE - BULGARIA 2014-2020 COOPERATION Program and is being realized in the region of Eastern Macedonia & Thrace in Greece and in the areas of Kardjali and Haskovo in Bulgaria. The pilot actions of the project are implemented in the wider area of the municipalities of Pangaion (Kavala) and Soufli (Evros) in Greece, and Kirkovo and Haskovo in Bulgaria.
DIONYSOS actions
DIONYSOS project encompasses actions to redesigning the current winegrowing and wine making model, while enhancing the cultivation of local varieties to differentiating the area and since they make up a comparative advantage of it. Furthermore it includes actions to highlighting this particular local productive identity of the area.
The project emphasizes the local terroir as an important factor for the specific organoleptic characteristics of wine. It raises the area's wine identity, focuses on realizing the value of the local vineyard (varieties and landscape) by the local communities, it creates synergies for the development of tourism in the area upon its wine varieties and it supports the area's promotion.
In this context, scientific researches on a common methodology are being carried out in both countries for the identification and analysis of the local varieties; experimental vinifications are performed in specialized wine laboratories. A digital map and an online platform for the region's vineyards are being designed, a plan for wine tourism is being developed, QRC information sign posts are installed and pilot interventions are implemented to improving the aesthetic image of the settlements in an effort to raising their local identity.
Seminars to wine growers and wine producers are held to improving the product quality. Seminars are also held to tourism operators along with awareness raising activities in the local communities, so as for them to realize their local natural heritage along with the importance of wine tourism for the local economy. Other actions boost business and local co-operation, while others raise the area to a wine tourism destination.
DIONYSOS Enotourism
A trilingual wine tourism guide
"...There is Alcinous fertile vineyard too. Yellow grape clusters - some on an open and level ground drying in the sun, while others are being picked up by the vine grower. Some of it is treaded in the tub; others are still young twigs in blossom, a third tinged with amber. Where the vine lines end, the beds are planted with greenery of difference, which does not even wither..."
Homer, Odyssey (Rhapsody VII, verses 129-135)
DIONYSOS Project Beneficiaries
Department of Food Science & Human Nutrition - Agricultural University of Athens/GR, Lead Partner
UniversityThe Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition offers to the students the scientific background for the rational copping with scientific and technological issues in the food area. Furthermore, it promotes the existing knowledge in the Food Science and Human Nutrition through research and development programs conducted in collaboration with other greek and foreign Universities and Research institutes as well as with research and development departments of small and large Greek food industries.
Agency for Transnational Training and Development - TRANSCOOP/GR
CompanyTRANSCOOP, Agency for Transnational Training and Development is activated in the fields of planning and project management as well as in the elaboration of studies and the promotion of cooperation in national and transnational level.
The company specializes in:
- Planning and Applying Tools for Local Entrepreneurship and Business Networking Promotion.
- Providing Support for Local Identity Promotion and Introduction Quality Policies.
- Improving the Touristic Profile of Regions and their Promotion as Tourism Destinations.
- Supporting the Promotion of Human Resources Development.
- Supporting the Improvement of the Quality of Life and creating a Cooperative Frame towards Sustainable Development.
Haskovo Chamber of Commerce and Industry/BG
OrganizationThe Haskovo Chamber of Commerce is the only local independent membership organization of its kind and offers a diverse and exclusive range of benefits to the entire spectrum of business and enterprises in the Haskovo region. As an accredited Chamber, HCCI provides access to the Business Network and data base of the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce.
HCCI was established in 1991 as an independent association, created on the base of voluntary, autonomy and self-financing. At this time we have about 200 members from the region of Haskovo. HCCI purpose is to support, promote, represent and protect the business activities of its members, as well as to contribute to the European and international integration of the Haskovo Region.
Federation of Professional, Crafts and Trade Associations of Evros/GR
OrganizationFederation of Professional, Crafts and Trade Associations of Evros is a union of entrepreneurs which was founded in 1945. The Federation is situated in Alexandroupolis, in the building of Evros Chamber of Commerce.
The aims of the Federation are to assert, safeguard, study and promote the common economic, social and professional interests of its members in the service of the community as a whole.
Institute of Viticulture and Enology Pleven/BG
OrganizationThe Institute of Viticulture and Viticulture is a state-owned research institution within the Structure of the Agricultural Academy (SAA) of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food (MAF). It performs research, application and production activities in the field of viticulture and wine.
Research and application activities in the field of viticulture and wine are carried out by 19 research assistants with scientific degrees and titles in 6 specialties - viticulture, winemaking, plant protection, mechanization of agricultural machinery, land reclamation, economics.
Kavala Development Agency - Local Authorities Enterprise/GR
CompanyΚavala Development Agency - Local Authorities Enterprise was established in June, 1992, with the participation of bodies who are responsible for the development of the local communities of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace. Its primary objective is to record, research and promote the financial, social and cultural development of the wider area of Kavala.
Κavala Development Agency - Local Authorities Enterprise is run by all relative legislation concerning the function of local authorities. Its shareholder scheme contains bodies such as Municipalities, Federations, local scientific Chambers etc.
Municipality of Kirkovo/BG
Local AuthorityMunicipality of Kirkovo is first-degree local authority, situated in Kardzhali Province (BG425), Southern Central Region of Bulgaria (NUTS 2). The municipality is an administrative-territorial unit that comprise 73 localities. The municipality covers a territory of 538 km² with a population of 22,000 inhabitants, as of December 2009.
The municipal authorities determine and implement their policy for the development of the municipality, resolve problems of local nature related to the economy, environmental protection, healthcare, social, educational, cultural, community and utilities-related activities, spatial planning, etc. Being engaged in various initiatives, the Municipality works to create a viable and sustainable economic environment for business development, entrepreneurial opportunities and excellent quality of life.
Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences, University of Plovdiv "Paisii Hilendarski"/BG
UniversityThe Faculty of economics and social sciences (FESS) was established in 1994. In short period of time it managed to emerge as a modern academic center for education of economists, managers and political scientists.
At the end of 2010, the Faculty is on 4th place in the sphere of Economics among 16 higher education Institutions and on 7th place in the sphere of Administration and Management among 19 higher education Institutions. The FESS is also the biggest faculty of the university in the amount of students getting their higher education there.
At the Faculty projects over actual economical, management and social problems are being developed.