First co-creation workshop leads to opportunities for product development

On 27 November the first co-creation workshop within the Prowad Link project was organised in Leeuwarden for 20 participants. The main question of the day was: How can we stimulate the use of locally produced food and ensure the sustainable added value for the region?

The workshop started out with an inventory on the identification of reasons why we are not reaching this goal at this moment. This resulted in an impressive list of causes, from practical transport issues to fundamental consumer/producer behavior. It became clear that the consumers interest and willingness to pay for sustainable food (or rather lack of it) was seen as one of the most fundamental causes. Overall the group identified seven main theme’s to be adressed, namely Education, Knowlegde, Logistics, Regulations, Culture, Awereness and Economy. The next step will be the translation of results into a programme with opportunities for product development.

The workshop was organised by Provincie Fryslan and Gemeente Ameland in the framework of Prowad Link. The Interreg VB project aims to unlock the potential of natural areas as a driver for jobs and sustainable development. Small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) are approached to develop nature as a brand to create benefits for both, SMEs and the environment. 14 project partners in Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway and the United Kingdom working with interested SMEs will use the “nature-business-benefit-cycle” concept to develop new, sustainable products and offers in the pilot regions of the Wadden Sea (DK, D, NL), Geiranger Fjord (NO), Wash & North Norfolk Coast (UK). The 3-year project is co-funded by and carried out in the framework of the Interreg North Sea Region Programme under the Programme Priority 1 “Thinking Growth”. The programme is funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) of the European Union.

www.northsearegion.eu/prowad-link