About us - Slow Food

Slow food Trebinje

Mission

The mission of Slow Food is to promote “good, clean and fair food for all” by advocating for a global food system that is tasty, environmentally sustainable, and economically just. This is achieved through the preservation of biodiversity, support for local food cultures, consumer education, and connecting producers with “co-producers” (consumers) to counter the homogenization of fast food.

Vision

The vision of Slow Food is a world in which everyone has access to food that is Good, Clean, and Fair: food that is tasty and healthy for people, produced sustainably without harming the environment, for which producers are fairly rewarded, and which consumers can afford at accessible prices.

About Slow Food Trebinje Herzegovina

As an informal association, Slow Food Trebinje Herzegovina has been active since 2009. It was officially established on 25 January 2021 by the decision of the Basic Court in Trebinje, No. 095-0-F-I-21-000-002.

Our Projects

Virtual Journey on the Paths of Our Ancestors (2020)

Financed by SWG and Elektroprivreda of the Republic of Srpska, in partnership with the Agricultural Cluster Stara Hercegovina, Museum of Herzegovina Trebinje, Kino-Foto Club Trebinje, and Secondary School of Catering Trebinje.

Overall Objective: Raise public awareness, particularly among young people, of food as an integral part of the cultural heritage of Eastern Herzegovina.

Cheese in a Sack (sir iz mješine) included on the preliminary UNESCO list of intangible cultural heritage.
Increased participation of young people in preserving food heritage; Slow Food Youth group established.
Support provided to five municipalities for local food heritage protection.
Media and public sensitized about gastronomic heritage preservation.
Interactive online map of traditional products and thematic trails created.
Final exhibition included photos, videos, tasting of traditional dishes, and display of traditional products now in the Museum’s permanent collection.

Pažin Honey – New Souvenir on Via Dinarica Trail (2020)

Funded by UNDP through the Via Dinarica initiative. Slow Food Trebinje Hercegovina prepared the project on behalf of its member and managed communication and promotion.

Objective: Strengthen local honey producer capacities and support integration into regional tourism.

Valorization of Legumes and Cereals from Trebinje Area (2021)

Funded by the Fund for Innovative Projects of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Water Management of the Republic of Srpska, implemented with the Faculty of Agriculture in East Sarajevo and Ecology and Security Trebinje.

Overall Objective: Explore traditional cereals and legumes, investigate curative properties of Grah Poljak beans, and revitalize their consumption and cultivation.

Chemical and nutritional analysis of local legumes and cereals.
Nutritional potential assessed through traditional recipes guided by chefs and nutritionists.
Results published in scientific journals.
Brochure created with traditional and innovative recipes using local legumes and cereals.

Cheese and Honey Trail of Eastern Herzegovina (2022–2023)

Funded by USAID and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Water Management of RS, implemented with Tourist Agency Lux Travel Trebinje and the Tourist Organization of RS.

16 households equipped and trained for tourism activities.
Interactive Google map created with production site descriptions and photos.
Trainings conducted on rural tourism basics.
FAM tour organized for journalists to experience the Cheese and Honey Trail.
Emphasis on women, primary actors in dairy production in Herzegovina.

Nature Bosnia and Herzegovina (2022–2024)

Three-year project funded by AICS, implemented by Italian NGO CISP with Slow Food Trebinje Hercegovina as partner.

Mapping local communities in/near Blidinje and Sutjeska National Parks regarding resource use and conservation.
Mapping businesses linked to sustainable resource use (livestock, plant cultivation, milk/meat/fruit/grain processing).
Training local business operators in sustainable practices.
Creating and promoting sustainable tourism offers through Slow Food Travel.

Ongoing Projects

SMART ERA (2024–2027) – SMART Community-Led Transition for Europe’s Rural Areas

Funded through the HORIZON programme, implemented by 25 European partners led by the Bruno Kessler Foundation (Italy).

Pilot Focus in Eastern Herzegovina: Valorization of cultural and gastronomic heritage, engaging young professionals, IT experts, youth, and women to enhance marketing and digitalization efforts.

Diversification of rural household activities and increased income opportunities.
Promotion of Herzegovina’s historical and cultural heritage as a tourism destination.