The regional kick-off conference and the 1st RSG meeting of the Ister-Granum EGTC, held on April 24, 2025, marked the official launch of the Ister-Granum’s participation in the BorderLabs CE project. The focus of the meeting was to explore how to address legal obstacles preventing the flow of local products across the Slovak-Hungarian border and to discuss the role of the Ister-Granum EGTC in the project.
Key highlights:
- The BorderLabs CE project was introduced to the regional stakeholder group with an emphasis on participation on study trips as an engagement opportunity and good practice for knowledge sharing among regional players
- The Role of Ister-Granum EGTC: Ister-Granum EGTC plays a pivotal role in connecting local producers with consumers, particularly in expanding their market reach beyond national borders. Local producers currently face the challenge of selling only within their own country, and the project aims to expand their market access from a 180° market to a full 360° reach.
- Cooperation is Key: The meeting emphasized the importance of involving key stakeholders such as municipalities, regional authorities, NGOs, twin cities, and EGTCs for knowledge transfer and collective action.
A key focus of the 1st RSG meeting was on understanding the local production landscape and identifying key markets for local products within the region. A map was created by participants, where they marked locations of local markets and craft product producers. Additionally, relevant service providers, such as restaurants and accommodation services, were identified to help expand market access. One of the main findings was the difficulty in getting local products into schools, hospitals, and similar institutions. Local producers often face challenges in competing with multinational companies or larger producers in terms of pricing and the volume of products.