Enquiry about the eco-model region

Subject of the question:

On 1 January 2021, the Main-Kinzig-Kreis started its work as an eco-model region.

Questions:

1. Is there a measure or action plan for the implementation of the MKK eco-model region?

Recognition as an eco-model region was officially announced by the Hessian Ministry of the Environment on Friday, 19 June 2020. Part of the application was necessarily a project plan including schedule and was submitted together with the funding application in the HMUKLV.

a. If so, when will this plan be presented to the county council?

After a decision on the application by the KT in 2020 and the approval or recognition by the Hessian Ministry of the Environment, no presentation or presentation of the district committee in the district council is foreseen. Regular reporting takes place to the HMUKLV as client and to the competent committee WEVUL of the Main-Kinzig district. Up-to-date information is also available at www.oekomodellregionen-hessen.de/region/main-kinzig published regularly. In addition, individual derivatives, model projects and initiatives are regularly coordinated with all participants in the advisory board of the eco-model region and presented to the public.

2.   Have concrete steps already been implemented for the MKK eco-model region since 1 January?

The Hessian Ministry of the Environment approved the application of the MKK by decision of 5 October 2020. Thus, at the beginning of 2021, the district began its work as an eco-model region and set itself the task of developing projects and measures to expand and further develop regional food production.

In addition to increasing the proportion of regionally produced food, the goals are also to strengthen tourism and gastronomy, as well as to provide advice on regionally produced food. To establish business succession and ecological management, regional value creation and marketing chains and, last but not least, to network all actors with each other and with consumers.

Three strategic areas of action were initially derived from a large number of goals and sub-projects:

– Promotion of organic and regionally produced food

– Promotion and development of regional value creation and marketing chains

-Promoting networking among all stakeholders and consumer dialogue

A project manager for the eco-model region has been recruited since 1 January 2021 – Ms Guttulsröd has started her work and the following concrete steps have already been taken to implement it:

-Foundation of a steering group to accompany the projects of the ecomodel region with a circle-wide, large network.

Participating institutions are: Office for Social Promotion and Participation, Bezirkslandfrauenvereine, Educational Partner MKK, Disabled Work Main-Kinzig e.V., Research Institute for Organic Farming "Gutes-aus-Hessen"-Vermarktungsgesellschaft, Hanau-Gelnhausen-Schlüchtern Chamber of Industry and Commerce, District Farmers' Association, Landscaping Association MKK, Hessischer Spesart Nature Park, SPESSARTregional, Spesart Tourismus Marketing GmbH, Association of Hessische Direktvermarkter e.V., Association of Organic Farming in Hesse

Networking and presentation of project contents and procedures, opportunities and first steps with network partners in the region and beyond. (e.g.: MKK – Ecomodel Region; www.oekomodellregionen-hessen.de/region/main-kinzig)

-Visibility of the eco-model region by means of information materials (analogue and digital), e.g. flyer information about the ‘Eco-model region Main-Kinzig’ and dissemination

-Creation of a regional/organic shopping guide in a printed and digital version (in final editing)

-Support for the project "Regional Cereals" by SPESSARTregional and Fulda University of Applied Sciences

-Installation and Start of Work Forum: Future orchards – (digital) exchange with stakeholders in the sector to develop and implement concrete projects.

– Establishment of a network of organic farms to network farms in the district (current topics of discussion, workshops, etc.). Kick-off event planned

-Further development of the ‘Wirtshaus im Spessart’ action initiated by Spessart Regional und Tourismus Marketing together with the supporting institutions. The aim is the networking of agricultural producers, the hotel industry and gastronomy.

-Participation in the Hessen-wide working groups "AG Hessische BioTage", "AG BioRegional" and "AG Podcast", participation in the newly founded "AG Website und Social Media" planned

-Initiation of the participation in the Hessian BioDays (10-19.09.2021) as well as planning and coordination of the measures taking place throughout the district.

-Information event on the conversion to organic farming for conventional farms and farms interested in conversion

3.   How many people are working in the district administration on the implementation of the eco-model region?

In addition to the project management, another position is currently in the selection process and is being filled. There will then be originally 1.5 positions in this area.