Training in the framework of the MedDiet project to promote traditional food products in the Mediterranean region
ASCAME organized a training course involving more than 21 organizations from different Mediterranean countries in order to raise awareness in the region on the opportunities of the Mediterranean diet.
On 3, 4 and 5 March, a training course aimed at setting up Mediterranean Diet Information Points was held in Alexandria, Egypt. This training was organised by ASCAME and CEEBA, in the framework of the European project MedDiet, belonging to the ENPI CBCMED programme.
The objective of the training was to train and create a network of Information Points in the Mediterranean basin aiming at increasing the awareness of consumers, enterprises and in particular SMEs, especially restaurants, on the benefits of the Mediterranean Diet (MD) by involving and strengthening the capacity of local authorities, schools, Chambers of Commerce/enterprise organisations, universities and political institutions in order to set up effective and viable initiatives for the safeguard of the Mediterranean Diet in Egypt, Greece, Italy, Lebanon, Spain and Tunisia.
The specific objective of setting up the Information Points is to promote and stimulate the effective use of the Mediterranean Diet Knowledge System and the Mediterranean Diet Quality Label for restaurants through the support of Chambers of Commerce, business support organisations and nutrition education centres in the different project partner countries, which have been provided with specific training for the proper use of these tools.
The conclusions of this training showed the need to involve local authorities, in order to promote the MedDiet Project Information Points as the main drivers for the dissemination of the Mediterranean Diet in their countries. Moreover, the participants insisted on the need for the sustainability of the project, in order to place this initiative as a key issue affecting all the countries of the Mediterranean basin and Europe.
A total of 21 organisations from different countries from Spain, Greece, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Lebanon, Jordan and Egypt participated in the training held in Alexandria. Their implications for the MedDiet Project Information Points will be decisive in raising awareness of the Mediterranean diet.
The training was given by the experts Ms Anna Bach-Faig and Mr Alessandro Piras, already involved in the project through the different associated partners.
The project is implemented by a Euro-Mediterranean Consortium composed of the Special Agency Centre of Services for Enterprises (Italy), the Italian Association of Olive Oil Cities (Italy), the Mediterranean Diet Foundation (Spain), CEEBA – Confederation of European and Egyptian Business Associations (Egypt), the Tunis Chamber of Commerce (Tunisia), the Olive Road (Greece), the Messina Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Greece), the Forum of Adriatic and Ionian Chambers (Italy), AEMO – Spanish Association of Olive Municipalities (Spain), ASCAME – the Association of Mediterranean Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Spain), the National Institute of Agricultural Research of Tunisia, the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture of Beirut and Mount Lebanon (Lebanon) and UNIONCAMERE (Italy) as partners.
To capitalize on the results of the project, the MedDiet Mashrek International Capitalisation Event will take place on 21 April in Beirut (Lebanon). This event will be an opportunity to show the considerable work that has been carried out within the framework of the project and to demonstrate how respect for the traditions of the Mediterranean diet can represent a lever for the economic development of the region, as well as a unique commercial offer for SMEs in the agri-food sector.