What is the European Cider and Apple Cities Network -Cider Cities -?
Cider Cities is a network of cities in the European Union established through cider and apples as links of union and development.
It is a tool that facilitates and strengthens the international insertion of local governments, developing opportunities for decentralized international cooperation, with the exchange of knowledge, proposals and (alternative) solutions.
Are there precedents?
The European Network of Cider and Apple Cities – Cider Cities – is the first to be established with this link and for the moment the only one in existence, but there are many similar networks at an international level. Specifically, at the level of the European Union there are, for example, the European Network of Wine Cities or the European Network of Cheese Cities, in which case the link is established based on wine or cheese respectively.
Why European scope?
Although cider is a non-exclusive link of the European Union, the organisational framework is initially limited to the European Union because:
- It is a common space that facilitates the transit of people and products between member states.
- There is a clear political will on the part of the European Union to support the creation and development of City Networks within its territory, with a financial budget for this purpose.
- Many of the necessary measures for the development and internationalisation of cider and apples have a common European framework.
- There is already an important link between EU member states in the cider and apple sector in terms of trade relations, events, cultural relations, etc.
In any case, Cider Cities is open to the participation of cities and associations from all over the world, which will be able to participate as associates with the same rights and duties as the rest of the cities of the European Union, and which will form the basis of a future global organisation.
What are the objectives of the RECS?
The RECS will promote the valorisation of the cider and apple sector in order to strengthen it and act as a driving force for articulating other activities (tourism development, economic promotion, training, employment, etc.) in such a way that, based on the presence of apples and cider as an agro-industrial production base, a set of related and complementary activities are added with the following objectives:
The search for funding for transnational projects , also favouring the birth and development of national associations.
Affirmation of the historical-cultural , heritage, economic and social identity of the cities and territories related to the production and consumption of apples and cider
Promotion of the ‘Cider Culture’ and relations between territories dedicated to apple and cider production at an international level.
The promotion of a common European definition and legislation regarding cider that would allow it to be the subject of specific community programmes and aid.
European Construction through training in European values under the cultural, social, professional and economic profile, for which it will propose cooperation initiatives to the different European institutions
The protection, enhancement and promotion of territories with a cider-producing vocationand agriculture , agri-food activities, the production of food and wine specialties and eco-compatible economic productions with the aim of ensuring the permanence of farmers in the territory.
The promotion of the transmission of sustainability values linked to the territory .
Promoting and valuing the sustainable nature of the sector, environmentally, socially and economically
The promotion of local economic development through an integrated tourism offering based on cider, apples and the quality of the territory, products and services.
Promoting the development of a modern , efficient and motivated business culture in the sector through training and retraining of professional knowledge.
The valorisation of natural, historical, cultural and environmental resources .
The creation of services aimed at training, information and innovation in the cider sector.
The promotion of innovative initiatives , such as the creation of networks of international museums and wineries, networks of accommodation with cider experiences, etc.
The implementation of studies and services aimed at training and information that allow for reciprocal knowledge and cultural exchanges between the cider cities that are members of the association and between these and other realities, even those outside the EU.
The publication of magazines, websites, presence on social networks, promotional and informative material that gives visibility to the sector and the network itself.
What benefits does Cider provide?
Facilitate the achievement of the objectives previously described.
Promote the development of the apple and cider sector and tourism linked to them – cider tourism –
Experience in the design, development, coordination and implementation of projects.
Facilitate access to the grants that the EU specifically calls for city networks, either as leaders or associates.
Facilitate access to other types of EU aid in the field of international collaboration, facilitating their participation as an associate or associates for their own initiatives.
Internationalize its presence in spaces related to cider and apples
Collaborating in the realization of international events or with international presence, thanks to the experience accumulated by the Asturies XXI Foundation for more than 15 years.