Međimurje County was the first in Croatia to be invited to become a member of the world association Bio District

That Međimurje is an advanced environment that stands side by side with world leaders in numerous development models is evidenced by a new initiative on the horizon. Međimurje County was the first in Croatia to be invited to become a member of the world association Bio District to promote sustainable agriculture.

The invitation shows how this county is recognized as a region that can respond to the challenges of modern times on a world level, on an equal footing with the most developed areas. Međimurje County is keeping pace with global development strategies related to the sustainability of agricultural production conditioned by climate changes and successful adaptation to them. 

"We were not invited to that respectable company by chance: on the world map of areas ready for the future, Međimurje is clearly visible thanks to three EDEN awards for excellence in tourism, Eco label certificates, Green Destination recognition for sustainable tourism, which we received fourth in the world and the only one in Croatia, as well as - by now long ago - Međimurje County's moves related to the protection of natural landscapes and well before UNESCO declared the Mura-Drava-Danube Transboundary Biosphere Reserve", it is stated on the official website of the Međimurje County. 

It is added that with this initiative, Međimurje County will lead Croatia further into the green transition, on a path that ensures safe, healthy food, providing a strong wind at the back of local family farms, and in turn, tourism.

Encouraging cooperation

On September 26, a conference was held in Čakovec and the signing of a letter of intent for the establishment of an organic district in this area, opening certification process. This is a process in which the Međimurje County is experienced, considering the successful achievement of the certificate Green Destination.

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Currently in Europe and 63 organic districts operate in the Mediterranean area, while they are ten in development. The establishment of the organic district will enable the development of tools to counter the adverse effects of climate change on human health, food production and safety, and biodiversity. 

By forming such an organization, it will be encouraged cooperation public bodies, organic farms, associations, universities, research and training centers and other related organizations, while the products resulting from such a connection become cultural heritage and local identity. 

The experience of establishing organic districts has shown high efficiency in increasing the quality of life in rural areas while increasing employment opportunities and the active involvement of young people in the ecological transition.

Sustainability is the only right way

The conference was opened by the Prefect of Međimurje County Matija Posavec emphasizing that continuous care and consideration and establishment of sustainable models led to this new step forward.

"Our achievements require us to be even more innovative, especially in the sphere of sustainable development, because this is the inevitable direction and the only right path. By establishing an organic region, we will unite all our institutions and centers in jointly thinking about the future and creating answers to challenges.", the prefect said, adding that during the history of Međimurje there was a cradle of development methods, often ahead of its time. 

Proof of this is the work of Dr. Rudolf Steiner, whose teachings are only understood today, and his postulates of biodynamic management are most strongly nurtured precisely in Međimurje.

The director also agreed with that Center of Dr. Rudolf Stiner Diana Posavec and pointed out that Međimurje County has all the prerequisites for successful certification of the bioregion and that the world does not really have any other development option.

Encouraging short supply chains

Director of the Tourist Board of Međimurje County Rudi Grula believes that the process will be an investment by all stakeholders involved in the green transition and the sustainability of agricultural production.

"We must encourage short food supply chains and the finalization of the products of our OPGs in the service of tourism development, but also the overall development of the region", Grula pointed out, and the initiative was welcomed by the dean of the Međimurje Polytechnic Igor Klopotan, welcoming the conference participants to the Center for Sustainable Development of the MEV.

Salvatore basile, director of the international network of biodistricts, expressed satisfaction that the conference is being held in a region crowned with the Green Destination award, stressing that the concept of a bioregion is based precisely on the development of sustainable tourism.

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The participants were addressed by Gita Đurković from the Ministry of Agriculture, saying that the Ministry supports such initiatives.

Signatories of the initiative

They signed a letter of intent with the Prefect of Međimurje County, Matija Posavac Sanja Kristofic, president of LAG Međimurski doli i bregi, Mario Moharic, president of LAG Mura-Drava, Siniša Golub, director of the public institution Međimurska priroda, Diana Posavec, director of the Dr. Rudolf Steiner Center, Rudi Grula, director of the Tourist Board of Međimurje County, Mladen Jakopović, president of the Croatian Chamber of Agriculture, Ivica Kisic, professor from the Department of Agroecology of the Faculty of Agriculture in Zagreb, White marigold, president of the Society for Biological-Dynamic Debt Management, Igor Klopotan, dean of the Međimurje Polytechnic in Čakovec, and Salvatore basile i  Emilio Bounomo from Italy, who were also lecturers at the Čakovec conference. 

Along with them, Sundeep Kamath, Cesare Zanasi and Jostein Hertwig held lectures on the experiences of organic districts and the importance of their establishment.

Photos: Međimurje County