Our first conference on Short Food Supply Chains

Organized by the Osijek-based online marketplace Plodovi.hr, and under the auspices of the National Rural Network, the KLOnference (KLO is short for SFSC in Croatian) brought together six Short Food Supply Chains (SFSC) from across Croatia, regional government representatives, and sectoral experts.

Those present at Hotel Lug on May 16 and 17 attended engaging lectures and learned about programs and opportunities under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), as well as the European Innovation Partnership programs.

The conference was warmly opened by Ivan Lauc, director of the Osijek online marketplace Plodovi.hr. Following him on stage was Roman Ozimec, President of the Croatian Biospeleological Society and the Society for Research and Conservation of Biological Diversity in Croatia (ADIPA). His compelling lecture on the Inventory of Agro-Biodiversity and the Cataloging of Traditional Agricultural Products posed a significant open question: Why don’t other regions follow Varaždin County's example in branding their traditional products?

Dr. Irena Ateljević from Terra Meera presented the potentials and benefits of regenerative agriculture, while Dr. Marija Heffer delivered an impactful lecture highlighting numerous shortcomings and the unsustainability of the modern food system. She emphasized the critical role of small producers as key stakeholders in the supply chain.

The six SFSCs showcased were: Plodovi.hr from Osijek, Growtovchani.com from Križevci, Putujuce.com from the Neretva Valley, Sikirevčanka d.o.o. from Sikirevci, Međimurski štacun from Međimurje, and E-selo.hr from Pula. On the first day, representatives of each supply chain shared their challenges, needs, and opportunities encountered in their operations. On the second day, they exchanged experiences in an interactive discussion at the first roundtable.

The second roundtable brought together members of the public sector: Romeo Jukić, Head of Agriculture for Osijek-Baranja County; Magdalena Parat, Head of Agriculture for Vukovar-Srijem County; Josip Nikolić, Mayor of Sikirevci; Zdenko Podolar, Director of Vukovar AgroCluster; and the previously mentioned Ivan Lauc, Director of Plodovi.hr. The discussion focused on current and potential future collaborations between the public sector and short supply chains, particularly in the context of green public procurement.

Ivan Lauc, Director of Reducos Software j.d.o.o.—the company behind the technology used by three online marketplaces in Croatia (Growtovchani.com, E-selo.hr, and Plodovi.hr)—introduced technology specifically developed for the needs of SSCs, continuously improved over the past four years. 

The KLOnference centered on pressing SFSC issues and new CAP opportunities that the EU will offer in the upcoming programming period. The focus was on intervention 77.03, "Support for EIP Operational Groups," which aims to foster cooperation, link research and agricultural practices, and enhance the exchange of information about existing and new processes, presented by Ivan Lauc. Valentina Hažić, owner of a business consulting firm, presented intervention 77.04, "Support for Short Supply Chains and Local Markets," alongside the successfully implemented 16.4.1 project from the previous programming period. She played a key role in launching what is now known as Međimurski štacun.

The conclusion of the KLOnference is clear: only through joint efforts and targeted initiatives can small Croatian producers and short supply chains be saved. This was the first event of its kind in Osijek-Baranja County, but judging by the program's quality, it certainly won’t be the last.

All lectures were recorded and will be available on the @plodovi YouTube channel.

European Innovation Partnerships and public awareness of the potential beneficiaries regarding the results of the Program and opportunities within the CAP Strategic Plan are key horizontal themes of the program.

(CO)FINANCED BY THE EUROPEAN UNION. EUROPEAN AGRICULTURAL FUND FOR RURAL DEVELOPMENT: EUROPE INVESTS IN RURAL AREAS

Measure: Technical Assistance – Sub-measure 20.2: "Support for the establishment and management of the National Rural Network"