The cultivation, collection and processing of herbs is very present, but not sufficiently developed and organized. Individuals and companies are mainly oriented to the cultivation, collection and drying of medicinal and other herbs. In this whole region of project coverage, companies and individuals face similar and the same problems: lack of organized companies, clusters and cooperatives, lack of specific knowledge, lack of appropriate laboratories and central information system.

The project will be focused on identifying problems through educational programs with consulting services for business development organizations (associations) and companies / individuals and connect them all through an innovative model of e-platform cluster that will serve as an example to others. Awareness and information will be raised through marketing and information activities of all 5 partners from all 3 countries who will work synchronously on development, implementation, financing and improvement in order to maximize the impact of the project.

The main goal of the project

Strengthening organizations that support business and strengthening research institutions that also support business; advisory services with company market access and promotion of cross-border clusters for herbs collectors, growers and processors. The project will mobilize this micro sector in all 3 countries, which will initiate cooperation that will be public and transparent.

Expected project results

Developed 1 cross-border innovative cluster e-platform model that will serve as an example to others organized, 4 organizations that support business trained, minimum of 22 companies trained and equipped 2 research and processing units (institute and laboratory).

In addition to beneficiaries in the form of business support organizations (NGOs and research institutions), the main target group of the project are companies in the field of plant processing.

„The aim is to mobilize the companies involved for future cross-border cooperation and to enable them to exchange knowledge, capacity and products in the wider area.“

The project therefore seeks to develop an innovative e-platform cluster model that will serve as an example to others (according to the B2B model), e-learning and functional support. Scientific research capacities and institutions to support entrepreneurship will be strengthened in order to better and more efficiently provide services to small entrepreneurs in the sector of production and processing of spices, medicinal and Mediterranean herbs; traditionally in the context of supporting women entrepreneurship. 2 laboratories for research and testing of raw materials and herbs products will be equipped, and it will be available to users of the e-platform from all three countries.

In the long run, the most significant effect of the project will be the planned specialized training programs (in small groups) and targeted individual counseling services for target groups – trainers and entrepreneurs – in the following areas:

• Product standardization and internationalization (cross-border cooperation and export)
• Marketing and branding
• Processing of medicinal herbs
• E-commerce (e-commerce) and B2B (business-to-business)
• Clusters
• Funding opportunities from the EU and other funds

As part of the planned trainings, two study visits to EU countries are scheduled where they have developed this sector to the highest level – Provence in France (lavender) and Bulgaria (rose) as internationally recognized brands.