Italia-Croatia

On 09 and 10 September 2026, the Development Centre of Lika-Senj County (RCLSŽ) in Gospić will host the testing of pilot activities of the GUSTI – Gastro UpScaled Tourist Itinerary in rural regions of Croatia and Italy (ITHR0200403) project through two connected culinary workshops dedicated to sustainable gastronomy, local and seasonal ingredients, and the value of traditional Lika cuisine.

The GUSTI project focuses on strengthening the role of gastronomic and intangible cultural heritage in the development of sustainable tourism, valorising local products and traditional knowledge, and developing new gastro-tourism experiences based on sustainability principles. One of the project’s key approaches is precisely the connection between gastronomy, the local community, cultural heritage and the responsible use of resources, while applying circular economy principles and shorter supply chains.

A distinctive feature of this pilot activity testing is that it will be implemented in synergy with the ECOFOODCYCLE - Reducing Food Waste and its Environmental Footprint through Sustainable Food System project. Although GUSTI and ECOFOODCYCLE are implemented under different programme priorities and specific objectives of the Interreg Italy-Croatia 2021-2027 Programme, their thematic directions strongly complement one another through the topics of sustainability, circular economy, responsible use of food resources and the creation of new value from available resources.

The synergy between the two projects aims to demonstrate how different project results can be connected into a more comprehensive approach to sustainable development. While GUSTI focuses on sustainable gastro-tourism, the valorisation of local gastronomy and the preservation of the cultural identity of the area, ECOFOODCYCLE places emphasis on more efficient management of food and resources, reducing losses, and exploring opportunities for the use of secondary products and remaining raw materials through circular economy principles. Through its activities, ECOFOODCYCLE also analyses the quantities and causes of food waste, the ways in which it is managed, and the possibilities for developing more sustainable practices in different sectors.

During the two-day testing at the Development Centre of Lika-Senj County, these two approaches will be brought together – traditional gastronomy and sustainable gastro-tourism on the one hand, and the practical application of circular economy principles, equipment testing and opportunities for more efficient use of food resources and secondary products on the other.

On the first day, 09 September, a theoretical workshop entitled “Sustainable Gastronomy and the Value of Lika Cuisine” will be held. Participants will be introduced to the fundamental principles of sustainable nutrition and sustainable gastronomic practices, the importance of local and seasonal ingredients, opportunities for the rational use of food resources, and the role of traditional gastronomy in the development of sustainable gastro-tourism.Particular emphasis will be placed on the connection between food and destination identity, support for local producers, and the creation of a tourism offer that respects the characteristics of the area and seasonality.

On the second day, 10 September, theory will be put into practice. Following gastronomic testing in the Gastro Lab, which will include the preparation of a traditional Lika dish, a chef’s demonstration and the active participation of attendees, activities will continue in the Zero Waste Innovation Lab. Through educational activities and practical equipment testing, participants will be shown the possibilities for the further utilisation of secondary products and remaining raw materials. In this way, through the synergy between the GUSTI and ECOFOODCYCLE projects, the entire process will be brought full circle – from the use of local and seasonal ingredients and their gastronomic valorisation to the application of circular economy principles and the creation of new value from what remains after their primary use. This connects gastronomy, sustainable tourism, local resources and innovative solutions into a single practical example of a sustainable approach to food.

This activity therefore represents a concrete example of how projects with different thematic orientations can be connected around common objectives. By combining sustainable gastronomy, local resources, circular economy principles and the utilisation of secondary products, GUSTI and ECOFOODCYCLE jointly contribute to the development of more sustainable models of food production, preparation and use, while creating additional value for the local community and the tourism offer of Lika-Senj County.

The projects GUSTI - Gastro UpScaled Tourist Itinerary in rural regions of Croatia and Italy and ECOFOODCYCLE - Reducing Food Waste and its Environmental Footprint through Sustainable Food System are implemented within the Interreg VI-A Italy–Croatia 2021–2027 Programme. The projects are co-financed by the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).