PASEGES
The Greek Confederation of Unions of Agricultural Cooperatives (PASEGES) constitutes the coordinating body of Agricultural Cooperative Organizations in Greece, and aims at the common and coordinated activity of the Cooperatives so that their competitiveness is enhanced, but also at the substantial support of the production units throughout the country – at an administrative and productive level.
PASEGES was established in 1935, and in 2005 it formed the Institute of Agricultural and Cooperative Economy (INASO) aiming at promoting the development of agricultural and cooperative economy at a regional, national and European level as well as the promotion of strategic agricultural development policies and programs.
The purpose of the Confederation is the production and dissemination of the institution of cooperatives and the development of cooperative consciousness, the correct interpretation and dissemination of cooperative principles, the representation of the agricultural and cooperative interests of farmers, the elaboration of studies, the preparation of plans for the establishment and operation of agricultural cooperatives and, the drafting of operating regulations for producer organizations and their associations. In addition, the Confederation provides legal, technical, economic, taxation and accounting services to its members and monitors the agricultural, cooperative, tax and union legislation.
PASEGES operates on the basis of the 7 cooperative principles for its 127 members, i.e. (1) voluntary and free participation, (2) the democratic administration on behalf of the members, (3) the financial participation of the members, (4) the autonomy and independence, (5) the education, internships and information, (6) the cooperation between the cooperatives and (7) the interest in the community.
THE EUROPEAN PROMOTIONAL PROGRAMS
The European Union, through REA (ex-CHAFEA), has created the European promotional programs under the slogan “Enjoy, it’s from Europe”, with the aim of helping EU exporters enter international markets and raising consumer awareness of the efforts of European farmers to provide quality products. EU funding of € 200 million per year, which can be used for informational and promotional initiatives in Member States and non-EU countries, is defined by rules in line with EU promotion policies.
Programs promoting EU Regulation (EC) 1144/2014 for agricultural products, are managed by organizations representing the product sectors at national and European level and are co-financed by the EU. Activities carried out by the European Commission, such as Commissioner visits accompanied by business Delegations to non-EU countries to develop trade in agri-food products, or to participate in exhibitions and communication campaigns to promote EU agricultural products, complement the actions of the 1144/2014 programs.
The programs achieve the increase of the competitiveness of the European Agricultural sector, the increase of the knowledge of the values that represent the European Agricultural products and of their high production standards.
In addition, there will be an increase in the marketability and consumption of European Agricultural products and the promotion of their profile both internally and externally in the EU. In addition, the recognition and knowledge of European quality labels will increase, as will the market share of European Agricultural Products and in particular in the developing markets of third countries with maximum potential.
Finally, in cases of severe market disruption, loss of consumer trust or other specific issues, the programs of the regulation help to restore normalcy to market conditions.
SMALL TREASURES FROM EUROPE
The approved program of Nea PASEGES, Small Treasures from Europe (reference no. 874714) has as main purpose the promotion of Greek cooperative products PDO / PGI in the form of “product basket”, in a simple program.
The information and communication activities will take place in the Greek market to raise the awareness of the Greek public and secondarily, of Greek consumers as ambassadors of our products to tourists who will visit the country during the three years. The program was created on the one hand to inform the general public about PDO / PGI quality labels, as it is found that the general public does not have a well-informed view of these labels, and consequently the value of the labels as well as of the products is not understood.
On the other hand, the institution of cooperatives is intertwined with the perception of the Greek public as an organization with an increased sense of responsibility that helps and controls, where necessary, Greek producers to produce and to market high quality products that meet all the specifications of certifications. (PDO, PGI, EPIP, BIO).
The inextricable link that exists between the PDO / PGI products with the cooperatives will contribute to the formation of the opinion of the general public, regarding the real value of these products.
Therefore, the activities that will be implemented as part of the Small Treasures from Europe program will include the corresponding education of the public about the cooperatives.
By definition, cooperatives use for production, processing and distribution only products of the producers / members of the cooperative and this has the effect of ensuring their quality and gaining consumer confidence in the Greekness of the products, their value and their quality.
