Heritage and Taste: Connecting Communities through Twinning — Hargita event — HERITASTE

Pályázat azonosító: 872138156

Funded by the European Union info block

PROJECT
Participant:        Somogy Vármegyei Önkormányzat
PIC number:      872138156
Project name and acronym:       Heritage and Taste: Connecting Communities through Twinning — HERITASTE

EVENT DESCRIPTION
Event number: 2.
Event name:      Heritage and Taste: Connecting Communities through Twinning – Hargita event
Type:    Study visit, workshop and networking
In situ/online:   in-situ
Location:             Romania/Hargita/Parajd, Csíkszereda, Csakmadaras, Csíkpálfalva, Gyergyószentmiklós
Date(s):               9–12 October 2025
Website(s) (if any):        https://judetulharghita.ro/tag/heritaste-ro/
https://judetulharghita.ro/valori-comune-si-schimb-de-experienta-in-cadrul-proiectului-heritaste/ű

Download the Event Description Sheet

The 2. event was organised between 9–12 October 2025 in Harghita County, Romania, within the framework of the CERV project HERITASTE – Heritage and Taste: Connecting Communities through Twinning. The event brought together 41 participants from Somogy County (Hungary) and 41 participants from Harghita County (Romania), including representatives of regional and local authorities, local producers, farmers, tourism organisations, wineries, civil society organisations and citizens interested in preserving local heritage and promoting sustainable rural development.

The study visit aimed to strengthen the long-term partnership between Harghita and Somogy Counties by encouraging mutual learning, exchange of good practices and active dialogue on topics related to local products, traditional food production, cultural heritage, rural entrepreneurship, sustainable tourism and community participation. Throughout the programme, participants discussed common challenges and opportunities faced by rural communities while identifying future areas for cooperation under European Union initiatives.

9 October 2025 – Arrival and introductory meeting

The Somogy County delegation arrived in Harghita County and checked into the accommodation.

An informal networking session provided an opportunity for participants to become acquainted and exchange information about their regions, local development priorities and expectations regarding the HERITASTE project. Initial discussions focused on strengthening cooperation between the two counties and exploring future opportunities for joint cultural, tourism and economic initiatives supported by the European Union.

10 October 2025 – Local products, gastronomy and professional exchange

The second day centred on local gastronomy, agricultural traditions and community-based rural development.

Participants visited the Honey Festival and Local Product Exhibition and Fair, where they explored traditional artisan products, regional gastronomy and cultural performances showcasing the rich heritage of Harghita County. Local producers presented honey, dairy products, traditional foods and handcrafted products while discussing their contribution to local economies and sustainable rural development.

The professional workshop on cheese-making and winemaking provided an opportunity for experts and producers from both countries to exchange experiences on traditional production methods, sustainable farming practices and innovation in food processing.

The discussions focused on:

opportunities for developing wine tourism and local wine production;
artisan and conventional cheese-making methods;
producer cooperation and cooperative business models;
educational farms as tools for knowledge transfer and rural development;
sustainable food production and preservation of traditional know-how.

A networking session enabled participants to establish direct contacts, exchange experiences and discuss possible future partnerships.

The programme concluded with a Local Products Tasting Experience, during which participants sampled regional cheeses, honey, wines and other traditional specialties while discussing the role of gastronomy in strengthening regional identity, tourism attractiveness and local economic resilience.

11 October 2025 – Study visits and best practice exchange

The third day focused on practical examples of sustainable rural entrepreneurship and preservation of traditional production methods.

Participants visited a natural products manufacturing facility where they learned about environmentally friendly production processes, value-added local products and innovative marketing approaches.

The programme continued with a visit to a traditional meat processing facility, where producers demonstrated traditional techniques combined with modern food safety standards. Discussions highlighted the importance of maintaining authenticity while adapting to changing consumer expectations.

The educational farm visit introduced participants to innovative approaches to agricultural education, experiential learning and community involvement. The visit demonstrated how educational farms contribute to preserving rural traditions while increasing awareness among younger generations about

sustainable agriculture and local heritage.

Throughout the day, participants compared Hungarian and Romanian experiences regarding rural entrepreneurship, support for family farms, local branding and short food supply chains. These discussions generated several ideas for future cooperation in the fields of agri-tourism, local product promotion and educational programmes.

12 October 2025 – Evaluation and departure

Before departure, participants evaluated the outcomes of the study visit and discussed concrete opportunities for continuing cooperation beyond the HERITASTE project.

Representatives of both counties confirmed their commitment to maintaining regular exchanges, organising joint events and preparing future European cooperation projects focusing on local products, gastronomy, tourism, cultural heritage and sustainable rural development.

Main outcomes and impact

The event successfully contributed to the objectives of the CERV Programme by promoting dialogue between citizens from different Member States, strengthening mutual understanding and encouraging long-term cooperation between local communities.

The most significant results included:

strengthened cooperation between Harghita and Somogy Counties;
exchange of good practices on sustainable food production, local products and rural entrepreneurship;
increased knowledge of traditional cheese-making, winemaking and local product development;
stronger professional networks connecting local authorities, producers, farmers and tourism stakeholders;
identification of new ideas for joint projects related to gastronomy, agri-tourism, cultural heritage and local branding;
increased awareness of the importance of preserving local traditions while promoting European cooperation and shared values.

Participants emphasised that the study visits and professional discussions provided practical inspiration for future development initiatives while strengthening interpersonal relationships between the two partner regions.

Media coverage and dissemination

The activities and results of the event were disseminated through the official communication channels of Harghita County Council and partner organisations, including municipal websites, social media platforms and regional media.

Official websites and press articles

Social media

Heritage and Taste: Connecting Communities through Twinning — Hargita event — HERITASTE

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