24 projects shortlisted for 2024 EU Organic Awards

-
Parent Online Newsletter
EESC info September 2024

The finalists for the 2024 EU Organic Awards have been announced: 24 projects from 12 EU countries across eight categories. The winners will be revealed at a ceremony in Brussels on 23 September, to be held alongside the annual EU Organic Day celebrations. 

The awards, taking place for the third time, reward projects that are innovative and sustainable and add significant value to organic production and consumption. They provide winners with a platform to present their good practices to a wider audience. 

The awards are organised by the European Commission, the European Economic and Social Committee, the European Committee of the Regions, COPA-COGECA and IFOAM Organics Europe, the European Parliament and the Council of the EU. The selection panel comprises seven members nominated by these bodies. 

Finalists include: 

  • Best organic farmer (female): Blagovesta Vasilieva (Bulgaria), Caroline Devillers (Belgium), Reinhild Frech-Emmelmann (Austria) 
  • Best organic farmer (male): Gianpaolo Mancini (Italy), Tommi Hasu (Finland), Benny Schöpf (Germany) 
  • Best organic region: Comunidade Intermunicipal do Alto Tâmega e Barroso (Portugal), Castilla - La Mancha (Spain), South Savo (Finland) 
  • Best organic city: BioStadt Bremen (Germany), Cascais (Portugal), Las Rozas (Spain) 
  • Best organic “bio-district”: Distretto del Cibo Monregalese (Italy), Bioregião de S. Pedro do Sul (Portugal), Sörmland Bio-district (Sweden) 
  • Best organic food processing SME: Biologon GmbH (Austria), Gino Girolomoni Cooperativa Agricola (Italy), Organic veggie food GmbH (Germany) 
  • Best organic food retailer: BIOGAST GmbH (Austria), Coolanowle Organic Meats (Ireland), SAiFRESC (Spain) 
  • Best organic restaurant/food service: B2 Bio pur GmbH (Germany), Biohotel St. Daniel (Slovenia), Kalf & Hansen (Sweden) 

Organic production in the EU covers 17 million hectares (10.5% of EU agricultural land in 2022), and the goal is to achieve the European Green Deal target of 25% by 2030. Increased public awareness and consumer demand are crucial. The EU Organic Awards, established in 2022 as part of the Action Plan for the Development of Organic Production, recognise excellence throughout the organic value chain, from farming to food services, enhancing visibility and knowledge of organic practices. (ks)