The Genuineland Project has its origin in the interest shown by nine European regions to improve their policies having by example the knowledge and good practices generated by the European Network of Village Tourism, project financed by Interreg III C.  Regions with different realities and cultures but surrounded by similar problems and all having the conviction that, through cooperation, they could contribute to the sustainability of their regions and motivate more effective policies related to entrepreneurship and support for SMEs within the ambit of innovation and knowledge.

The partnership involves five regions from Portugal, Finland, Poland, Romania and Italy which developed the European Network and more four coming from Italy, Slovenia and Greece. This partnership includes partners representing local and regional authorities, associations and knowledge organizations with direct and indirect responsibility for the definition and implementation of policies and instruments for supporting development.



The regions are essentially of a character that is markedly rural where the process of desertification is beginning to be felt, a process that could be reversed with effective support for the implementation and maintenance of SMEs, ranging from cheese producers, handicrafts and other regional products, as well as units providing services in the area of tourism and restaurant provision. However, there is a need for policies which will motivate this important entrepreneurial fabric of small and medium-sized enterprises to guarantee their sustainability by means of innovation and knowledge. The SMEs have difficulty in accessing knowledge and innovation and are thus at a disadvantage in terms of competitiveness in an increasingly global market. However, SMEs are responsible for around 66% of private employment and therefore special importance should be given to this entrepreneurial base founded on its specific needs.

This project, therefore, has as its overall objective to contribute, through exchange of experience, dissemination of knowledge and transfer of good practice, to improving local and regional policies related to support entrepreneurship and SMEs by encouraging economic diversification in rural areas through regional business clusters directed towards innovation and knowledge.



To attain the project’s overall objective and the sub-objectives, a program has been prepared, with a strong component being the exchange of experience and the dissemination of knowledge through thematic seminars, working visits and one action plan per region. A number of initiatives are also proposed to provide information about and publicise the results of the project, deeply aimed to local and regional actors as well as stakeholders and policymakers responsible for policies in this area. The project website will be the principal tool for such divulgation, and this will be complemented by the publication of periodic newsletters and brochures.

For more information:
genuineland@gmail.com