Description of the Reference Region
The Transdanubian Mountains are the second largest mountain range in Hungary. It has a high forest cover. Wheat and potatoes are grown in the foothills, in the lowland areas of the hills and in the basins. Fruit growing and viticulture are also important.
The study area is the Balaton Highlands, in the vicinity of Lake Balaton, which has become a major tourist destination.
Pressure from urbanisation and land abandonment, environmental pressures, especially precipitation problems, heat waves, new diseases, pests and invasive plants threaten the environment.
Selected Value Chain
The selected value chain (VC) is agroecological knowledge. The VC community is located on an abandoned and forested vineyard hill (Cold Mountain Shelter) between two small villages (Barnag and Pécsely).
They produce food through permaculture, forest farming, contour farming, and extensive animal husbandry. They also organise courses, events exhibitions and are creating an online knowledge platform for sharing environmental and community friendly technology (both innovative and traditional). The VC activities are relevant for land use, saving and creating environmental and community value.
Multi-Actor Platform (MAP) members
The Multi-Actor Platform consists of producers, NGOs, members of civil society, public authorities/policymakers, business representatives (both agricultural and non-agricultural) and researchers.
Publications & events
Video: Vulnerability and resilience of the agroecological knowledge
Policy Brief: Cold mountain shelter – Knowledge economy
Practice Abstract: Knowledge economy for sustainable livelihoods – Cold Mountain Shelter value chain analysis
