Invitation to tender

The Swedish Board of Agriculture invites tenders for increased knowledge and knowledge of protected EU designations.

The Swedish Board of Agriculture intends to procure a service focusing on initiatives that are supportive for producers and local stakeholders to take advantage of the opportunities with protected EU designations. The initiative is aimed at the following target groups:• Producer associations• Promoters such as County Administrative Boards, authorities, destination companies• Swedish small-scale food artisan, food and meal tourism companies.

The procurement is aimed at actors who have experience in protected EU designation, business development, food tourism development and sustainable business.

Part 1A Network of producer organisations

The assignment includes gathering producer associations in a network for knowledge-raising exchange of ideas based on the participants' needs and wishes. The exchange may consist of discussing how to exploit the benefits of a protected EU designation, solutions and cooperation. The goal is for the network to be able to live on under its own auspices after completing the consulting assignment. If knowledge transfer is needed, the Swedish Board of Agriculture can initially be part of the network, but is not the convener or driving force. Purpose Producer associations share experiences, raise knowledge and address opportunities and solutions to any obstacles. Objective: To create a network of producer associations so that they can make the best possible use of the potential of a protected EU designation together with local operators. This in turn can have positive effects on rural development.

Part 1B Knowledge enhancement seminar/lectures

The assignment includes arranging and inviting to seminars and/or lectures in support of producers of products with a protected EU designation to raise the level of knowledge. Regional and local stakeholders who can work with protected EU designations in various ways can also be included in the activity.

Participation in the activity shall be free of charge for participants (excluding hotels and travel).

Scope and content of activities• The activities must take place on 1-3 occasions, of which at least one of the occasions must be carried out physically. • The arrangement can advantageously include study visits.• Topics that may be relevant are product labeling, marketing both nationally and internationally, controls, packaging, collaborations, food tourism, logistics and distribution or other things that producer associations need to develop with a focus on a product with a protected EU designation.

Purpose The activity will inspire and provide knowledge about how producers and other local actors can take advantage of the opportunities with a protected EU designation.

ObjectiveTo enable producer organisations to increase their knowledge and be inspired to take advantage of the opportunities offered by a protected EU designation.

Part 2 Aid to producer associations and producers to seize the potential of a protected EU designation

The assignment includes providing support to at least 2 producer associations/products with a protected EU designation to take advantage of the opportunities offered by a protected EU name. The work includes promoting local collaborations for the development of products and food tourism linked to the protected EU designation. It is basically a question of finding ways of capitalising on the protected EU designation. The work should result in a model that can be used by other actors after completing the assignment.