Friday, June 28, 2024, Pomegranate Welless Spa Hotel, Nea Potidea, Halkidiki
The Seminar, organized by the Development Association of Halkidiki S.A. (ANETXA S.A.), took place successfully on Friday, June 28, at the Pomegranate Hotel in Nea Potidea, Halkidiki. The topic of the seminar was “Implementation Progress & Results of the Local TAPTOC LEADER/CLLC Program of Halkidiki,” with the participation of the Deputy Minister of Rural Development and Food, Mr. Dionysios Stamatis, the Secretary-General of European Funds & Infrastructure, Mr. Dimitrios Papagiannidis, and officials from the Ministry of Rural Development and Food, including Mr. Nikos Manetas from the Special Managing Authority for the CAP Strategic Plan, Mr. Dimitrios Pappas from the Special Service for the Implementation of Agricultural Development Interventions, Mr. Ioannis Kovanis, Head of the Local Development Unit, and Ms. Despoina Rakitsi, Staff Member of the Local Development Unit.
The Deputy Minister of Rural Development and Food, Mr. Dionysios Stamenitis, referred to the contribution of ANETXA to LEADER programs as a real development tool for supporting the region. He highlighted its role in strengthening rural cohesion, as well as the many important actions of the Ministry that support the agri-food sector. He also announced the inclusion of Halkidiki in the hail protection program, a long-standing request from local farmers.
The Head of the Local Development Unit, Mr. Ioannis Kovannis, presented the “Course of LEADER from the Rural Development Programs (RDP) to the CAP Strategic Plan.”
The General Secretary for Union Resources and Infrastructure, Mr. Dimitrios Papagiannidis, spoke about the dynamics and successes of ANETXA, calling it one of the best development organizations in the country. He did not hesitate to address procedural issues, such as payment delays, which often create problems for beneficiaries.
The Deputy Director of ANETXA, Ms. Olga Savvidou, presented the parallel “Course and evolution of ANETXA with LEADER programs,” amounting to at least 77 million euros, which have been implemented and continue to this day.
The General Director of ANETXA, Ms. Georgía Karayanni, presented “Management Issues of LEADER Programs and Compliance with Implementation Obligations” by the beneficiaries, stating that compliance with the program requirements is a success for everyone involved.
The second part of the event began with a presentation titled “Processing of Agricultural Products in Halkidiki – The Contribution of LEADER in the Sector” by Mr. Spyros Katsamakas, Agronomist from the Directorate of Agricultural Economics and Veterinary Affairs of the Halkidiki Regional Unit.
This was followed by the presentation “Best LEADER Practices: Halkidiki Traditional Cuisine Competition – Taste Halkidiki: The Work of the Halkidiki Chamber,” by Sylvia Koumentaki of Chef Stories.
The event concluded with a presentation titled “Promoting the Treasures of Halkidiki – Suggestions for Empowerment & Opportunities for Development and Internationalization” by Nana Zygoura, Business Development Consultant and partner at Chef Stories, followed by a brief discussion and dialogue with the participants.
