Innovation, typicity and excellence: Italian cooperation as a driver for the development of the Balkan agri-food system
Moderator: Carmelo Sigliuzzo (CIHEAM Bari)
Introduction to the Balkans Focus – Fabrizio Contento (CIHEAM Bari) – Duration: 5
minutes
• Technical presentations:
a- “Italian Cooperation and Context Analysis of the Balkan Area”, Piero
Pelleschi (Italian Agency for Development Cooperation – Tirana, Agriculture and
Rural Development – Agriculture and Rural Development Expert) – Duration: 10
minutes
b- “The Evolution of Agri-Food between Innovation and Tradition in the
Balkans: The Green&Healthy Project”, Mladen Todorovic (CIHEAM Bari) –
Duration: 10 min.
c- “The Enhancement and Promotion of Agri-Food in the Balkans: The
TypicAl Project”, Gianluigi Cardone (CIHEAM Bari) – Duration: 10 min.
• Guaranteeing Local Product Enhancement and Promoting Well-Being: Company
Stories for the Balkan Market
– MAJA ZIMONJIC, representative of the company POKLON PRIRODE” BRCKO
(DONO DELLA NATURA) – Beekeeping company, in the process of converting to
organic farming – Green&Healthy BiHF – Duration: 10 min.
– Sokol Kano, representative of the Local Action Group "Pro Permet," based in
Përmet, Albania – TypicAl – Duration: 10 min.
• CONCLUSIONS – Duration: 2 min.
ABSTRACT
The Balkans are emerging as a highly dynamic area for the agri-food sector, where innovation,
sustainability, and the enhancement of traditional products intersect with the preservation of a
unique European heritage of biodiversity, production cultures, and local traditions. In this
context, international cooperation and the Italian system play a key role in promoting inclusive,
resilient, and quality-oriented development patterns.
This event aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the main development trends shaping
the agri-food sector in the Balkans through Italian Cooperation. It will focus in particular on
opportunities to strengthen local value chains, promote traditional products, support the
transition towards sustainable production systems, and foster collaboration among institutions,
territories, and businesses. Through context analyses, project presentations, and direct
testimonials from producers, the session will showcase concrete examples of development
cooperation initiatives implemented by CIHEAM Bari in the Balkans, with a focus on the
Green&Healthy and TypicAl projects, developed in partnership with institutional stakeholders
and local producers in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Albania.
The session will open by Fabrizio Contento (CIHEAM Bari), who will highlight the strategic
importance of coordinated cooperation between Italy, Albania, and Bosnia and Herzegovina in
strengthening the regional agri-food sector.
This will be followed by an overview of the Balkan agri-food landscape by Piero Pelleschi
(AICS Tirana), outlining the current state of the sector and key opportunities for cooperation
across the region.
CIHEAM Bari’s technical experts will then present two complementary case studies in
territorial development:
– In Bosnia and Herzegovina – Mladen Todorovic will introduce the Green&Healthy
project, highlighting the role of innovation, quality, and the link between agri-food and
health in sector development.
– Albania – Gianluigi Cardone will discuss the objectives and results of the TypicAl
project as a best practice in preserving typicity and tradition, enhancing local
production, and supporting the transition towards sustainable agri-food systems that
promote the territory.
The session will conclude with testimonials from two exhibiting companies – one from Bosnia
and Herzegovina and one from Albania – directly involved in the projects. They will provide
practical insights into the impact of initiatives funded by Italian Cooperation on their respective
production contexts.
The event is intended as a platform for dialogue and exchange, offering participants an
opportunity to reflect on the future of the agri-food sector in the Balkans and on the role of
international cooperation in generating economic, social and territorial value.
