About

The idea for development of a system for SMEs support in Agro and tourism business was created due to the huge project experience of the 3 partners working last 10 years in the sphere of agricultural and tourism development in their regions. The observation of the changes in this business fields last 7-8 years, the communication with entrepreneurs, the worlds and regional changes in the consumers’ behavior and the impose of new trends were taking into account in an analysis from the partners. The constraints of the target group, which are well known to the partners, identified common main challenges and problems of the business environment in the region. Lately a new generation of young entrepreneurs in agriculture and tourism was formed. They are focused to the conventional products and methods of production, which are primary for their entities. There is lack of diversification, using of innovation and implementation of world achievements. Conventional products and services have occupied a certain market share and have exhausted the possibilities for expanding and increasing. Alternative products and services bring business diversification and opportunities to develop niche markets with high levels of product sales. The demand for organic products and wines, agro bio tourism determine the focus of development of these businesses. The opportunity to restructure the production and services is limited to a large number of entrepreneurs, especially the young generation of them.

Micro and small enterprises don’t have adequate access to financing in planting new vines from local types, respectively no investment in innovations, in HR skills and trainings. There is a lack of a) know-how for design, development and promotion of bio tourism products and services, b)specialized training institution for provision of know-how and knowledge in the field of bio wines production, c)information how to promote local bio-production and agri tourism at the international markets, d)information to the HORECA and tourism business how to add value and diversify their products and services in regards of bio-wines and bio-agro tourism, e)developing added economic value through development of new products and services based on local varieties vines and local bio-agro production, f)materials and professional tutorials in Bg. and Gr. languages, g)accessible for the entrepreneurs e-database, which provides information regarding new achievements, business EU regulations, access to finances, h)limited access to information in regards to innovations and know-how, i)know – how for developing bio-wines, j)development and running of bio-agro tourism products and services, k)platform of mapping the existing business and promote bio-agro-tourism products and services at national and international level, l)information for the positive effect of the preservation of local vine varieties and its possibilities to add value to the competitiveness and of the lands. m) trained human resources in regards to the new technologies and innovations, n) skilled employees in HORECA and tourism regarding Sommelier science and promoting local agro-tourism and bio-wines tourism assets, o)unskilled personnel in HORECA in regards to the local wines promotion.

Addressing the common challenges, the project develops innovative approach, based on the international achievements and business trends for providing a system to support SMEs.The Agro-Tourism Business Academy will develop and provide vocational tutorials and video trainings for entrepreneurs and employees; two  experimental fields will provide seedlings to the agricultural producers; mobile App, as a new a solution, will map the targeted entrepreneurs, will expand the opportunity for market realization of regional product and services and will boost the alternative tourist visits; Web portal will provide digitalized materials and scientific know-how to facilitate the business administrative efforts of SMEs. The Academy will continue to provide consultations and trainings after the project end.

The project target groups: vineyard growers and wine producers, agriculturists, HORECA owners and staff, tourism sectors and etc. from both countries in the CB region. The project will give priorities to young and/or female entrepreneurs from the CBC region while forming the target groups. Special attention will be payed to geographical areas with lack of business support structures and minority population.