The Mountain Area in the Context of the 2023–2027 Strategic Plan – Key Topics Discussed at the Sibiu Conference

The conference “The Mountain Area in the Context of the 2023–2027 Strategic Plan” took place in Sibiu, organized by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MADR) through the National Rural Network, as part of the project “Conferences for the Promotion of EU-Funded Financing Measures for Farmers.”

The event was held in partnership with the National Agency for the Mountain Area (ANZM) and brought together representatives from ministries, central and local public authorities, regional development agencies, researchers, high school and university educators, presidents of farmers' associations and cooperatives, processors, entrepreneurs from mountain regions, members of the Mountain Committees, as well as specialists from agricultural directorates, county rural development centers, and ANZM’s territorial branches.

Conference Objectives

The main goal of the conference was to promote financial support measures dedicated to Romania’s mountain areas and to facilitate open dialogue among key stakeholders involved in their development.

Representing the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development was Mr. Zoltán-József Mihály, Secretary of State and ANZM coordinator. From the General Directorate for Rural Development – AM PNDR, participants included Laurențiu Lupu and Simona Nimu, National Rural Network Advisors, as well as Mihaela Bărbulescu, advisor within the Environmental and Climate Measures Service.

The National Agency for the Mountain Area (ANZM) was represented by Gheorghe Hîrlav, Director General; Dan Marius Sezonov, Deputy Director General; and Dănuț Ungureanu, Director of CEFIDEC, along with specialists from regional Centers and Mountain Development Offices.

Key Topics Addressed

The meeting covered several critical and timely themes relevant to mountain regions:

• Funding opportunities for mountain areas through the 2023–2027 Strategic Plan
• Achievements and future prospects for mountain area development
• Promoting the circular bioeconomy and reducing the carbon footprint
• Best practices: agricultural cooperatives, short food chains, local markets
• Supporting and showcasing local gastronomy points and regional cultural identity
• Developing responsible tourism and community initiatives to revitalize mountain villages
• Promoting cultural and gastronomic tourism as a driver of rural development
• Funding programs aimed at mountain community development

In addition, successful examples and innovative solutions were presented, designed to enhance the economic and social resilience of mountain areas, aligned with the priorities of the CAP 2023–2027 Strategic Plan.

Identified Needs and Future Directions

Following the presentations and discussions, several key needs were identified:

• Continued support for investment programs in mountain areas
• Ongoing allocation of funds for the creation of processing units for meat, milk, fruits, medicinal plants, and mushrooms
• Valorization of existing natural resources (forest and pastoral landscapes, biodiversity, livestock preservation)
• Identification and support of complementary economic activities to mitigate depopulation
• Revitalization of mountain communities through tourism, traditional/local gastronomy, and cultural initiatives

A Commitment to Sustainable Development

The National Agency for the Mountain Area (ANZM) extends its sincere appreciation to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the National Rural Network and reaffirms its commitment to supporting all initiatives aimed at the sustainable development of Romania’s mountain regions.