The BASCIL project final partner meeting took place in Kristianstad, Sweden, on 25–27 November 2025 at Krinova Incubator & Science Park. The event marked the closing milestone of the Interreg Baltic Sea Region 2021–2027 project “Innovative Solutions for the Rural Food Production Sector to Diversify into Sustainable Culinary Tourism Services (BASCIL)”, which ends on 31 December 2025. Over the project lifetime, 15 partners from 8 countries worked together to help small local food producers diversify into culinary tourism, collaborating with around 100 companies that developed new, attractive tourism offers and shorter value chains for reaching customers directly.
The main conference day on 26 November focused on BASCIL achievements and future perspectives. In the first session partners presented the two key BASCIL solutions and manuals, shared pilot company examples, and highlighted pilot networks and culinary route models created in different regions. The second session opened a forward-looking conversation through an expert panel and external speakers who discussed emerging trends and opportunities for rural food producers in culinary tourism. The day concluded with a networking lunch and a farewell cake, celebrating shared results and partnerships built during the project.
Beyond the plenary sessions, the programme emphasized hands-on exchange and community spirit. On 25 November, partners gathered for a joint cooking evening using products from all participating regions – an informal but meaningful way to showcase local food identities and strengthen cross-border collaboration. The afternoon of 26 November included a study visit to Ivögården winery, giving participants a closer look at a Swedish example of linking food production with visitor experiences.
The final day, 27 November, was dedicated to wrapping up project reporting and communication, while also looking ahead. Partners discussed “what next” and explored ideas for future cooperation and new project initiatives building on BASCIL results. This final gathering in Kristianstad served both as a celebration of what had been achieved and as a platform to ensure that BASCIL’s tools, networks, and lessons continue supporting rural innovation in the Baltic Sea Region after the project ends.
More information about the project:
https://interreg-baltic.eu/project/bascil/
The project is implemented by:
Dr. Živilė Gedminaitė-Raudonė (project manager in Lithuania), tel. (+370 5) 2617 978, e-mail: zivile.gedminaite@ekvi.lt
Dr. Rita Lankauskienė, e-mail: rita.lankauskiene@ekvi.lt
Dr. Vitalija Simonaitytė, e-mail: vitalija.simonaityte@ekvi.lt
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