GOOD PRACTICE
Established in 2009 as Europe’s first multi-vocational Bio-District, Cilento represents a holistic territorial approach to organic transition. Uniting 95 municipalities and over 1,000 organic farms under AIAB guidance, the district leverages its UNESCO-recognized heritage to integrate agriculture with eco-tourism and social inclusion. By prioritizing short supply chains and "mix farming," the model connects small-scale producers with local hospitality sectors, fostering economic resilience and biodiversity. Recognized by the 2022 EU Organic Award, the district addresses rural depopulation through social agriculture and equitable supply chains, successfully bridging inland production zones with coastal tourist markets.
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Established in 2009, the Bio-District Cilento was the first European multi-vocational Bio-District, integrating agriculture, environment, culture, society, eco-tourism, and food and wine. Under the guidance of the Italian Association for Organic Agriculture (AIAB), it unites 95 municipalities, around 1,032 organic farms, consumer associations (like Solidarity Purchasing Groups), and tourism operators. The district operates within a unique territory recognized by UNESCO for four global distinctions: the Cilento, Vallo di Diano and Alburni National Park is a World Heritage Site, Geopark, and Biosphere Reserve, and the region is the birthplace of the Mediterranean Diet, recognised as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. In 2022, the Bio-District Association was named the best Bio-District in Europe by the European Commission, receiving the prestigious “EU Organic Award.”
The district's strategy moves beyond simple farm-level conversion, focusing instead on the holistic organic vocation of the entire territory. It acts as a virtuous model for innovation in production standards, research, and alternative distribution channels. The primary actors are approximately 400 small organic production companies (averaging five hectares), specializing in tree crops (olives, vines), meadows/pastures, and specialized livestock like buffalo farms. The Bio-District implements short supply chain initiatives, networking organic producers with restaurants (about 20) and beach resorts (10). This creates a vital local market for producers, while consumers benefit from transparency and direct relationships, safeguarding local biodiversity and typicality. The model actively addresses modern challenges, including:
- Mix Farming: Promoting sustainable resource use and biodiversity through the combination of crop and animal production across the territory.
- Access to Land: Counteracting rural depopulation by creating economically sustainable work, particularly for youth and women.
- Equitable Supply Chains: Fostering direct relationships and supporting the adoption of local organic products in public services.
- Social Agriculture: Supporting the work placement and therapeutic recovery of disadvantaged and vulnerable individuals.Through continuous development, including "Bio-paths" and "Bio-beaches" initiatives, the Cilento Bio-District successfully links inland agricultural areas with the coastal tourist zones, promoting qualified and sustainable tourism.
