Geographical Indication boosting Food, Non-food and Tourism sectors in Northern areas

Programme 2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-B Northern Periphery and Arctic

Date of latest update: 2025-09-24

Description

Description (EN):

The operating environment is challenging for food and non-food SMEs in the NPA area due to factors like distance to customers, low market visibility, and difficulties in securing fair prices for quality products. The EU’s geographical indication (GI) scheme could help by protecting product names, promoting uniqueness, enabling better price, and linking products to their origin. However, this system is underutilized in the NPA compared to other European regions. This project aims to boost the competitiveness and visibility of local SMEs, enhance cooperation, and increase recognition of the NPA area by enhancing the use of GI system. The project will create cross-border cooperation to support both regional and cross-border GI applications and integrate local tourism in utilizing GI. The project involves 4 main partners (FIN, IRE, ICE, GL) and 4 associated partners (NOR SWE, FIN), focusing on awareness raising, piloting GI application processes, and opening new markets for GI products.

Expected Achievements (EN):

WP1 (lead by Ruralia) aims to increase the awareness, knowledge/capacities of actors to utilise GI labeling system and use it in their product development. The WP will use the expertise and experiences of the international partnership to inform on benefits, possibilities and challenges of using GI system regarding the food and non-food products. It also provides tools for the SMEs to analyse their potential for applying for GI system and help the application process. Special focus is on providing information on the non-food labeling regulations in layman’s language as the novel regulation (EU2023/2411) was launched at Nov. 2023 and build in co-operation between authorities related to it. The aim in all activities is not to market EU’s GI system as such, but provide information for the SMEs and other actors on how to benefit from the system and use the process as part of their product development as well as network creation. The WP contributes mainly to the result indicator RCR04_1.3 WP2(lead by LEO-DCC) aims to collect together the most potential groups for application in piloting countries, commit them to the process, provide guidance and support for strategical planning of the label's use and mentor writing the application. The focus is on building food and craft producers' expertise and capability about the practicalities’ involved in the GI application process. It will include interaction with different regionally-based food/craft producers to encourage likeminded enterprises to come together, share experiences and offer an opportunity to engage with EU GI schemes in conjunction with national project partners' support and establish a geographic link between the product and the region. The aim is to have 1-3 piloting groups from FIN, IRE, ICE. In GL the focus is more on mapping out the potential groups. Associated partners in NOR and SWE seek for nat. funding for piloting as possible. The WP contributes to the result indicators RCR 04_1.3 and RCR104_1.3 WP3 (lead by ICLA) has 2 main objectives: 1) to assist potential new and existing users of the GI´s in using the GI´s in their marketing and PR strategy at practical level and to support new users of GI on using the label in their communication to increase visibility, demand and value of their products. The WP also provides the basic knowledge and support in drafting an cross-border application for the EU's marketing resources for GI products (MULTI-REA application) and aims to build a network to take such an application process further to increase the competitiveness of SMEs. 2) to work with the pilots from WP2 during their application process and help them strategically consider their marketing activities during and after the project and pilot new ways to open markets for GI products, critical issue being able to define the common story for GI products used by all stakeholders in B2B and B2C communication. The WP contributes to the result indicators RCR04_1.3 and RCR104_1.3

Project outputs: A Code of Practice for writing the GI application(EN)
Organisations in co-operation(EN)
SMEs participating to the GI applications (EN)
The documented and analysed GI application processes implemented in the project(EN)
Marketing and branding model for GI products developed(EN)

Thematic information

Clustering and economic cooperation Tourism

Priority: (VI-B_NPaA_1) Strengthening the innovation capacity for resilient and attractive NPA communities

Priority specific objective: RSO1.3. Enhancing sustainable growth and competitiveness of SMEs and job creation in SMEs, including by productive investments

Priority policy objective (Interreg specific objective): PO1 A more competitive and smarter Europe by promoting innovative and smart economic transformation and regional ICT connectivity

Type of intervention: 024 Advanced support services for SMEs and groups of SMEs (including management, marketing and design services)

Partners (4)

Lead Partner: Helsingin yliopisto Ruralia-instituutti

Partner’s ID if not PIC: FI03134717

Department: NA

Address: Lönnrotinkatu , 50100 Mikkeli, Finland

Department address: NA, NA NA, Finland

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Higher education and research organisations

Website: https://www.helsinki.fi/en/ruralia-institute

Total budget: EUR 385 822.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 250 784.30

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 65.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 135 037.70

GBER schemes / de minimis: GBER Article 20a

Nunalerinermut, Imminut Pilersornermut, Nukissiutinut Avatangiisinullu Naalakkersuisoqarfik

Name: Nunalerinermut, Imminut Pilersornermut, Nukissiutinut Avatangiisinullu Naalakkersuisoqarfik

Department: Self-Sufficiency Division

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 5790001955564

Address: P.O. Box 1614, 3900 Nuuk, Greenland

Legal status: public

Organisation type: National public authority

Website: http://www.naalakkersuisut.gl

Total budget: EUR 75 350.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 48 977.50

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 65.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 26 372.50

Oifig Fiontair Aitiuil, Comhairle Contae Dhun na nGall

Name: Oifig Fiontair Aitiuil, Comhairle Contae Dhun na nGall

Department: Local Enterprise Office

Partner’s ID if not PIC: IE8F28103W

Address: Ballyraine, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal, F92 VP2T Donegal, Ireland

Department address: NA, NA NA, Ireland

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Business support organisation

Website: https://www.localenterprise.ie/Donegal

Total budget: EUR 276 140.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 179 491.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 65.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 96 649.00

GBER schemes / de minimis: GBER Article 20a

Íslenskt lambakjöt

Name: Íslenskt lambakjöt

Department: N/A

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 103750

Address: Borgartun , PO 105 Reykjavik , Iceland

Department address: NA, NA NA, Iceland

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Business support organisation

Website: https://www.icelandiclamb.is/

Total budget: EUR 200 000.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 130 000.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 65.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 70 000.00

GBER schemes / de minimis: GBER Article 20a

Partners map

Partners and Projects info

Ministry of Agriculture, Self-Sufficiency, Energy and Environment

Geographical Indication boosting Food, Non-food and Tourism sectors in Northern areas

Partners and Projects info

Local Enterprise Office, Donegal County Council

Geographical Indication boosting Food, Non-food and Tourism sectors in Northern areas

Partners and Projects info

Icelandic Lamb

Geographical Indication boosting Food, Non-food and Tourism sectors in Northern areas

Partners and Projects info

University of Helsinki Ruralia Institute

Geographical Indication boosting Food, Non-food and Tourism sectors in Northern areas

Lead partner

Project partner

Summary

Project name (EN): Geographical Indication boosting Food, Non-food and Tourism sectors in Northern areas

Project acronym: GIFT

Project ID: NPA0800203

Project start date: 2025-04-01

Project end date: 2028-03-31

Project status: ongoing

Relevant linked projects:

Regarded as special 2023-2025; funding Finnish Food Authority (EN) | Synergy is in supporting new application processes of GI product at grass-root level in Finland; best practices obtained from the project can be used in the GIFT project. (EN), #geographicalindication2025 2020-2022; funding Finnish Food Authority (EN) | Synergy is in utilising from the communication material for consumers concerning the GI products; examples of good communication methods can be used, translated and disseminated in the GIFTproject. (EN), Rural Lifestyle - Creating attractive rural lifestyle tourism destinations 2019-2022; funding Interreg Central Baltic 2014-2020 (EN) | The synergy is in using the knowledge and networks Rural Lifestyle -project accumulated on long distance marketing and on creating an image for rural tourism products. (EN), Responsible cross-border history-based tourism. Gustav III – Sprengtporten – Catherina II (South-East Finland - Russia CBC Programme 2014-2020) (EN) | The synergy is in using the experiences in developing sustainable local tourism products (which include food or non-food products) in GIFT project’s activities (EN), GI products enhancing the competitivity 2015- 2016; funding Finnish Food Authority (EN) | The experience of food companies about EU PDO/PGI/TSG quality systems at national level can be used for transnational GI applications in GIFT project. (EN), PROMO 2018-2020; funding Finnish Food Authority (EN) | GIFT project can use the created media material for GI products producing companies in PROMO project and use this knowledge also for transnational co-operation. (EN), NICHE - Building innovative food value chains in regions; Funding Interreg Europe 2016-2020 (EN) | NICHE project aimed to adoption of research and innovation solutions by food sector companies. The established connections with the companies will be utilised in GIFT project, esp. in Ireland. (EN), EIS - The Everywhere International SMEs; funding Interreg Europe 2017-2020 (EN) | EIS project aimed at promoting excellence in regional business support systems for internationalising SMEs. The GIFT project will continue this work in e.g. cross-border GI applications. (EN), VALOR ; NORA funding, ongoing (EN) | VALOR project is about increased value of agricultural produce in rural areas. The GIFT project can use the created producer networks in Iceland as a basis for GIFT-applicant groups. (EN)

Total budget/expenditure: EUR 937 312.00

Total EU funding (amount): EUR 430 275.30

Total EU funding (co-financing rate): 65.00%

Co-financing sources:

ERDF: Amount, EUR 430 275.30. Co-financing rate, 65.00%.
ERDF equivalent: Amount, EUR 130 000.00. Co-financing rate, 65.00%. Sources, IS.
ERDF equivalent: Amount, EUR 48 977.50. Co-financing rate, 65.00%. Sources, GL.
Others: Amount, EUR 130 000.00.

Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

(bullets are inserted automatically and may be incorrectly placed)

Deliverables:

Summaries of the transnational webinars
Number of participants to the webinars.
Summary of the transnational kick off seminar
Summary of the transnational end seminar/event
Number of participants to the seminars.
Minutes of the workshops
List of participants
Analysis of the relevant GI applications
Press releases
Presentations in events organised outside the partnership
List of events where associated partners have presented the project.
Articles on project's activities and topic.
A GIFT-project webpage
The news stories in NPA communication channels and participation to the NPA events
Project poster, roll up and common ppt-layout
Communication plan
Practical potential of GI in Greenland
Potential applicant groups collected in Greenland .
The established piloting groups in piloting countries.
Documented mentoring programme for each piloting group
Methodology for documenting GI application processes
Analysis of the application processes and success of the mentoring programmes
Min. 5 submission-ready GI applications (1-2
/piloting country)
10 GI application processes started
2-4 cross-border discussion groups connecting the similar producer groups from different countries.
Guidelines for creating a common story for the product and how to organise the process
Summaries of the piloting events (in total 5-11)
Study trip to Iceland for 1 repr or pilot group & assoc. partner related to linking GIs to tourism.
A marketing and branding strategy -model based on the experiences of the pilot groups.
Policy brief of the obstacles in using GI in marketing/branding the product.
List of created connections between GI -products and tourism actors
presentations presented in above mentioned events on project’s website in English or nat. language
List of the tourism networks and organisations or SMEs interested in GI
info package on MULTI-REA application
a network of SMEs to proceed with MULTI-REA application.

Contribution to wider strategies and policies:

EUStrategyBalticSeaRegion The project contributes esp. to the key obj. “increase prosperity”. As it aims to increase innovation and growth of rural SMEs in food,craft and tourism, it links to policy areas Innovation (Challenge-driven & Co-creative innovation) and Tourism (transnat. tourism development in remote and rural areas). As entrepreneurs' skills/knowledge increase, the project also touches policy area Education and contributes to sustainable development goals by increasing sustainable local production.
EuropeanGreenDeal The project also contributes, from its part, to European Green Deal by increasing sustainable development by enhancing local food/production and sustainable production, as sustainability elements are inherently one key criteria in GI applications and in their evaluation.
TerritorialAgenda2030 The project supports from it’s small part and grass-root level TA 2030 by focusing on the specialties of places and turning them to strengths by enhancing local production & aiming to safeguard it. This will help to support local economics and improves, equality among European regions. The project also supports to develop sustainable local production (contributing to the Agenda’s sustainable development goals) as in GI products (and applications) require sustainable production.
SeaBasinStrategyArcticOcean The project has a minor contribution to the joint communication mainly to section "Promoting sustainable regional development" by enhancing local sustainable production and improving local SMEs competititveness which in turn may contribute to e.g. new jobs in sustainable tourism and agriculture.
Other The project also contributes to the EU’s Rural policy (CAP) by supporting the sustainable development of all European areas by balancing some of the differences between Northern and other European regions in benefitting from the use of GI and tools related to it. .

Programme Common Output Indicator:

RCO 116 - Jointly developed solutions, Measurement unit:
RCO 084 - Pilot actions developed jointly and implemented in projects, Measurement unit:
RCO 087 - Organisations cooperating across borders, Measurement unit:
RCO 004 - Enterprises with non-financial support, Measurement unit:

Programme Common Result Indicator:

RCR 104 - Solutions taken up or up-scaled by organisations, Measurement unit:
RCR 004 - SMEs introducing marketing or organisational innovation, Measurement unit:

Project part of European Union Macro-Regional or Sea Basin Strategy: EUSBSR

EUSBSR Priority (Policy) area / Horizontal action:

EUSBSR Degree of compliance:

Information regarding the data in keep.eu on the programme financing this project

Financing programme

2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-B Northern Periphery and Arctic

Last month that data in keep.eu was retrieved from the Programme's website or received from the Programme

2025-09-24

No. of projects in keep.eu / Total no. of projects (% of projects in keep.eu)

65 / 65 (100%)

No. of project partnerships in keep.eu / Total no. of project partnerships (% of project partnerships in keep.eu)

310 / 310 (100%)

Notes on the data

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Geographical Indication boosting Food, Non-food and Tourism sectors in Northern areas

Description

Thematic information

Partners (4)

Partners map

Summary

Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

Information regarding the data in keep.eu on the programme financing this project

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