The Standing Working Group for Regional Rural Development (SWG) in SEE within the EU funded project: ”Regional cooperation and networking in the field of agriculture, rural and economic development of cross-border areas” organized workshop “ Shortening food supply chains through tourism” “  for the Stakeholders’ Group for the Cross – border region “Prokletije-Bjeshket e Namuna”, 23-25 April 2018, Hotel Berane, in Berane, Montenegro

The Capacity building event “Shortening food supply chains through tourism” “  for the Stakeholders’ Group for the Cross – border region “Prokletije-Bjeshket e Namuna” was attended by 32 participants representatives from Kosovo, Albania and Montenegro, and represented a mix of tourism workers (private and public sector) agricultural producers and also trainers, SWG staff, agro and tourism experts.

During the three days training trainers helped the participants to improve their knowledge from the following topics:

The lecturers from Regional development agency for Komovi , Bjelasica and Komovi present and discuss about several important topics

• Global trends in food supply chains
• Comparative advantages of Prokletije-Bjeshket e Namuna region in shortening food supply
• Demands of tourists coming to region Prokletije – Bjeshket e Namuna
• Adventure tourism offer and how it should be built
• Also several best practices examples were presented- Katun roads Montenegro and Kosovo (A short movie presentation on katun roads),- Traditional gastronomy in rural households and local hotels and restaurants Montenegro and Albania and Value Cheese – how to market local cheese and connect dairy sector with tourism market
• To participants some useful advices was given about Rural tourism offer and how to start and also about possibilities to diversify offer in rural tourism – outdoor opportunities, handicrafts and souvenirs

Mr Semir Kardovic from Rozaje  present his experiences as successful tour operator in the region “Prokletije- Bjeshket e Namuna”