SUSTAINABLE BIODIVERSITY OF BUKOVO PEPPER Country Macedonia Association for protection, promotion and education on Grantee food SLOU FUD , Bitola Focal Area Biodiversity Operational Phase 5 Duration 01/2014 – 07/2015 (satisfactorily completed) GEF SGP MACEDONIA Grant Amount 10.000 US$ / 20.000 US$ Project Types Demonstration, Capacity Building Partners Slow Food Foundation for Biodiversity , Italy Co-Financing Slow Food Foundation for Biodiversity, Italy and grantee Ms. Elena Karovska, village of Bukovo, 7000 Bitola, Contact & Republic of Macedonia, tel: +389 47 612 905, Address mob: +389 75 791 001, е-mail: [email protected] , www.slowfood.mk/bitola ul. Majka Tereza 15/6, 1000 Skopje, Macedonia tel/fax: +389-(0)2-310.99.56 www.gefsgpmacedonia.org.mk Е-mail: [email protected] Implemented by UNDP and Executed by UNOPS http://sgp.undp.org Project Financing Financial source US$ Cash In kind GEF SGP 10,000 0 Slow Food Foundation for Biodiversity 5.000 0 Slou Fud, Bitola 0 5,000 TOTAL 15.000 5.000 Project Description The main project objective: to preserve the red Bukovska pepper, Macedonian locally distinctive and important plant, a genetic resource that has specific importance as a spice in numerous Macedonian prepared dishes and specialties, as well as to popularize and conserve the traditional method of preparing the Macedonian unique spice "bukovska pepper". Main activities: • Mapping of producers of bukovska red pepper and spice producers of "bukovska pepper”, selection of the true variety of bukovska red pepper and determining the traditional recipe of the spice "Bukovska pepper" • Chemical analysis of 10 local varieties of red bukovska peppers that are most similar according to phonological profile and defining the authenticity of spice "bukovska pepper" • Networking of the producers of bukovska red pepper and spice producers of "bukovska pepper", organizing local selling on the local market in Bitola and organizing of registration of presidium "bukovska pepper", Project achievements • Defined traditional recipe and determined phonological characteristic profile of the local variety of the red bukovska pepper; classified fragrance of the peppers, determined five local varieties of the bukovska pepper for chemical parameters and selected three local varieties with the most favorable chemical composition. • Created databases of the Bukovska pepper growers and producers of the spice "bukovska pepper"; established links between producers in order to introduce the three variety, by exchange of seeds from the three producers to the other 8 new interested producers. • Registered Association for Protection and Promotion of Bukovska pepper "Presidium Bukovo" Bitola with eleven producers of Bukovska pepper, as well as manufacturers of the spice "bukovska pepper." The Association was presented to consumers and authenticity of the spice "bukovska Pepper" was promoted through the distribution of printed material - leaflet and brochure. • Promoted "bukovska pepper" spice with designed packaging and labeling through: 1. articles in the media and cooperation with the local media and television; 2. Information banner display in the local market; 3. flyer and brochure. • Raised awareness of the importance of preserving bukovska pepper, old seeds and local biodiversity, with 40 people involved directly and indirectly in the trainings and meetings; • Eleven people trained on the basic principles of organic production and the use of modern irrigation system "drop by drop"; trained eleven producers and raised awareness among 16 people in relation to the production hygiene. • Succeeded revenues for four association members through organized sales in the local market in Bitola. • Realized international pepper and spice presentation in Terra Madre in Turin in 2014, followed by articles in social and internet media, the portals of Slow Food. Realized final event, with aim to grow into a traditional annual Festival of bukovska pepper. Follow up Slou Fud plans to continue with organizing and initiating new and similar activities (to nominate the pepper for getting the protected geographic indicator, maintain the purity of the variety of the red Bukovska peppers, trainings etc.). ul. Majka Tereza 15/6, 1000 Skopje, Macedonia tel/fax: +389-(0)2-310.99.56 www.gefsgpmacedonia.org.mk Е-mail: [email protected] Implemented by UNDP and Executed by UNOPS http://sgp.undp.org .