Within the PATHS project, professionals from Harghita County visited Vienna to learn about good practices that support skills development and labour market integration for young people aged 14–21.

The Austrian partner presented the programmes of ÖJAB – Österreichische Jungarbeiterbewegung ‘EducationFit’ and the IPC training centre. These programmes involve young people who have already completed compulsory education but have not yet found their place in the labour market, offering them 10-week, personalised training courses.

Based on decades of Austrian experience, key success factors include:

• small-group training (8–10 participants), enabling more effective learning;
• mentoring and continuous follow-up, not only training itself;
• skills development aligned with labour market needs – alongside traditional trades, also design, e-commerce, digital tools, and social media skills;
• stable state support and a well-structured institutional framework.

Since 2025, Harghita County Council has been participating in the PATHS (Personalized Approach To Territorial Life And Career Support) European Union project, together with partners from eight additional countries in the Danube Region.

The initiative aims to strengthen career guidance and long-term life-path support, especially for young people living in rural areas. An important goal is to help as many young people as possible build their future locally and reduce outward migration.

The visit took place between March 9–12, 2026. In addition to experts from the County Council, Mózes Csongor, director of the “Kájoni János” Vocational High School in Miercurea Ciuc, also participated.

Unique opportunity for small local producers in Harghita County to participate in the World Food Gift Challenge 2026. The international competition, organized by IGCAT, aims to promote authentic and sustainable products from the world’s gastronomy regions. The event will take place in Crete on May 21, 2026. Winners receive international visibility and official recognition.

What types of products can be submitted?

• Gastronomic gifts: non-perishable local food products made from natural ingredients.
• Gastronomy-related craft products: kitchen tools or equipment that reflect local culture.
• Products must be produced in small quantities, be sustainable, and reflect the characteristics of the region.

How are participants selected?

To ensure high-quality representation of Harghita County, the Visit Harghita team will select 4 products for the final competition.

In case of high interest, selection will be based on the following criteria:

• Authenticity and local connection – the product should reflect the traditions, raw materials, or craftsmanship techniques of the region.
• Sustainability – preference is given to environmentally friendly production, responsibly packaged products, and those made from local ingredients.
• Quality and aesthetic appearance – the product must be well-crafted, visually appealing, and suitable as a gift.
• International promotional potential – products that can attract the interest of tourists and international markets.
• Story behind the product – each entry must include an interesting background story reflecting local culture and traditions.

Why apply?

• International promotion opportunity
• Increased visibility for local products
• Official quality certification

Visit Harghita covers half of the participation fee for selected applicants.

Application deadline: April 10, 2026.

Full call available here:
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/61g22zgq5ywjj8ztmitli/AK2EOiqtmlmIFsnRfbebzLM?rlkey=dyg1z48rd73fvrhnpbv7p6yca&e=1&st=02dvn28g&dl=0

For applications, please write to: [email protected]

Harghita Community Development Association (ADI Harghita)

Nearly forty international partners arrived in Harghita County to discuss the development of vocational education student mobility.

Representatives of the Harghita County Council hosted the international partners of the EASI and AVETE projects on March 10–11 during a joint professional visit. The two initiatives are implemented with the support of the Erasmus+ programme and aim to develop international mobility in vocational education and training.

During the two-day professional meeting, representatives of partner institutions from Greece, Hungary, Georgia, Slovenia, Slovakia, and Vojvodina participated, with a total of around 40 attendees. The aim of the programme was to prepare the student mobilities planned within the projects, strengthen cooperation between sending and host institutions, and share good practices in work-based learning.

During the event, participants became familiar with the locations and institutions involved in implementing the mobility programmes. The delegation visited Garden Proiect in Mădăraș and the Gyimes Open-Air Museum, which will host international students for traineeships in the future, as well as the Saint Elizabeth of Hungary Roman Catholic High School in Lunca de Sus, which will send students abroad for professional experience within the project.

During the professional discussions, partners reviewed in detail the mobility programmes to be implemented in the near future. Within the EASI project, four students from Slovenia will arrive in Miercurea Ciuc this spring for their traineeships, gaining professional experience at Garden Proiect and Levobit in the fields of computer numerical control (CNC) machining and IT. At a later stage, two additional students will join the programme. As part of the project, during the summer, six students from Harghita County will travel to Greece, where they will complete a three-month traineeship in the tourism sector. Prior to the programme, participants will take part in language and cultural preparation.

The AVETE project focuses on the development of long-term ErasmusPro mobilities in the tourism sector. According to plans, in the summer of 2026, between June and September, six students from Serbia will arrive in Harghita County for traineeships, while six local students studying tourism will gain professional experience in Slovakia within a 90-day mobility.

Through the implementation of the projects, Harghita County Council actively contributes to strengthening international cooperation in vocational education and training and to supporting young people in gaining professional experience abroad. Within the EASI project, the county council’s budget amounts to 157,279 euros, while in the AVETE project it is 150,870.89 euros, with 80% of the funding provided by European Union sources and 20% as co-financing.

During the meeting, partners also discussed that the next international partner meeting of the projects is expected to be organized in Miercurea Ciuc in May 2026, providing another opportunity to deepen cooperation and further develop these mobility programmes.

Miercurea Ciuc, March 13, 2026.

The Harghita Community Development Association (Visit Harghita) continues preparations for 2027, when Harghita County will hold the title of European Region of Gastronomy. The partnership opportunities presented at the end of February were showcased at several locations.

Meetings were held with tourism entrepreneurs in Băile Tușnad, Gheorgheni, Miercurea Ciuc, and Odorheiu Secuiesc, where detailed information was shared about three key initiatives: the Signature Dish list, the Myrmidone (butterfly) certification system, and the Open Farm program. Participants were able to ask questions and receive all necessary information regarding the conditions for joining.

The Signature Dish is a selection of Harghita County’s characteristic flavours, resulting from professional and community collaboration connected to the European Region of Gastronomy 2027 title. The list was compiled based on survey responses and joint evaluation by twelve chefs, featuring dishes and desserts that reflect traditions passed down through generations, the county’s cultural diversity, and authentic flavours. The program aims to present the region’s gastronomy in a unified way, encourage cooperation between local producers and hospitality venues, and increase the visibility of local ingredients and dishes. During the presentations, participants were also invited to contribute to the selection.

The Myrmidone (butterfly) certification system is linked to the Signature Dish program and recognizes hospitality venues that base their offerings on local ingredients and traditional flavours. Certification requirements include cooperation with local producers, offering Signature Dish items, reducing food waste, and, where possible, using ingredients sourced within a 100-kilometer radius. The system is named after the critically endangered Myrmidone butterfly (Colias myrmidone), which occurs in only three European countries – Poland, Slovakia, and Romania. Within Romania, it is found in only two regions, including the area around Gheorgheni and Gheorgheni-Șumuleu (Kürücök Valley), highlighting Harghita Cou  nty’s valuable natural environment.

The Open Farm program offers local farms, agricultural operations, and food producers the opportunity to host visitors by prior arrangement. Guests can directly meet producers, gain insight into the daily operations of farms, and experience firsthand the production of local products. Participants also offer programs during the Open Farm weekends, organized twice annually.

Applications for both the Open Farm program and the Myrmidone certification are open until May 22. Application forms are available for both programs (Myrmidone Certification, Open Farm), and participation requires compliance with the criteria system (Myrmidone Certification, Open Farm) and the Code of Conduct.

Units that successfully apply for the Myrmidone certification or Open Farm program will be included on Harghita County’s gastronomic map (printed and online), featured prominently on Visit Harghita platforms, included under the Harghita – European Region of Gastronomy 2027 section, and will be able to use the relevant logos, including the European Region of Gastronomy 2027 logo. A full list of the benefits of joining is available on the second page of the criteria system.

The County Council aims to build a professional network actively involved in promoting the county in preparation for 2027

The Harghita County Council, through the Harghita Community Development Association (Visit Harghita) and its partners, continues preparations for 2027, when Harghita County will hold the title of European Region of Gastronomy. In this context, a year ago, the county appointed its first honorary ambassador, tourism marketing expert Răzvan Pascu. At that time, Barna-Botond Bíró, President of the Harghita County Council, emphasized that the institution appoints tourism ambassadors to support efforts related to the 2027 Gastronomy Year, enhancing Harghita County’s visibility through their professional experience.

Continuing this initiative, during the IX International Horticultural Professional Days and Conference organized by Garden Proiect – held on Friday, February 27, in Miercurea Ciuc – Barna-Botond Bíró invited Marcsi Borbás to become Harghita County’s honorary tourism ambassador. The decision was motivated by her work and recognition in promoting gastronomy and culinary culture, making her a suitable and authentic representative of the county in this field.

The appointment continues the initiative launched last year, aiming to build a professional network actively engaged in promoting the region in preparation for 2027.

“In Harghita County, we build on partnerships, and the fact that we will be the European Region of Gastronomy in 2027 is not a privilege that came out of nowhere, but the result of nearly ten years of dedicated work. We want to show that we are not going to become a land of fairy tales; we already are. It is a matter of mindset— a value-creating community has no reason to be ashamed. In the coming period, our task will be to strengthen the professional partnerships built by the Association of Székely Farmers’ Organizations, hospitality operators, guesthouse owners, the academic community, and our tourism ambassadors. We will have two tourism ambassadors. Two, because we are a community that can count on the support of two governments. It is important not to focus on negatives. It is important that representatives of the Hungarian community are present in Bucharest, and government presence is especially important in difficult times. At the same time, it is important that Hungary has a national government that thinks in terms of the nation, not borders. A nation has no borders, and we can count on the support of both governments. We are a special community in Europe, and if we recognize this, one of the key tasks ahead is strengthening communal self-esteem. Where there is community self-esteem, there is economic power, a future, and young people do not only ask questions—they see opportunities. Last year, we invited Răzvan Pascu as our first tourism ambassador, and he accepted. When we issue invitations, we look for credible personalities who deeply know and represent gastronomic culture, who are followed on digital platforms, who know and love Harghita County and its local flavours, and for whom a tradition-based value system is fundamental. That is why we invited Marcsi Borbás as our second and final tourism ambassador, and I thank her for accepting. She is a defining figure of Hungarian gastronomic culture, who loves our community, conveys values, and shows how traditions can be presented to the world in a modern language.”

Borbás Marcsi is an editor and television producer who brings the simple values of everyday life closer to the audience with authenticity and warmth: the joy of gardening, the flavours of the kitchen, and the magic of home. Known from her TV shows and gastronomic projects, she offers her followers an inspiring perspective on daily life.

Marcsi Borbás said:

“It is a great honour for me to receive this invitation, and since I was invited to a horticultural conference, I would compare the preservation of gastronomic heritage to a tree. Half of my heart is in Transylvania. When I began seriously collecting Hungarian heritage thirty-three years ago and traveled through the villages, I saw that where this heritage still lives, not merely in preserved form, that is Transylvania. So here it really is a land of fairy tales. I completely agree. People need to know that there is no need to create a land of fairy tales here, just preserve it. Here the roots of the trees are still strong. In Hungary, it was harder, but I managed to reach the last generation who still held this knowledge and preserve what they knew. But here it still exists—not only among the older generation, but also among the youngest, even teenagers. This is an extraordinary sustaining force. If you look around Europe, this is the only place where you don’t need to search: you get in a car, and by the time you reach Csík, you see scenes that are now sadly exotic. Yesterday, for example, I saw a little girl running in the yard and herding geese. You don’t see this in Europe anymore. We just need to preserve what exists and be happy that it still lives here. And show it to the world. Come here! Here you can taste geese, vegetables, polenta, lamb that were not raised in industrial complexes but in nature. Here, you don’t need to search for what is natural. You just have to accept what nature provides because it still exists here. That is why representing all this is the simplest thing in the world; we only need to draw attention to the fact that it’s worth coming because there is still clean water, clean air, clean food, and clean spirit. We just need to realize and rejoice that all this still exists. I sincerely thank you for letting me represent all this in 2027.”

The title of European Region of Gastronomy promotes the community achievements and initiatives of a region, providing international visibility and development opportunities for local tourism and gastronomy stakeholders.

Programs aimed at presenting partnership opportunities and strengthening local gastronomic values were introduced at a press conference organized by the Harghita County Council on February 24, 2026, at the Hungaro Residence restaurant in Miercurea Ciuc, as part of the preparatory process following the awarding of the title of European Region of Gastronomy 2027.

The press event focused on initiatives through which local hospitality operators, producers, tourism service providers, civil organizations, and public institutions can actively participate as partners in the 2027 program. As is known, Harghita County will hold the title of European Region of Gastronomy in 2027, awarded by the International Institute of Gastronomy, Culture, Arts and Tourism (IGCAT) to communities that pay special attention to preserving their gastronomic heritage, developing local and sustainable food chains, and strengthening related tourism.

According to Barna-Botond Bíró, President of the Harghita County Council, in 2027 gastronomy will be the common language through which Harghita County’s past, values, communities, and future can be simultaneously showcased to Europe.

“The fact that Harghita County can hold the title of European Region of Gastronomy is the result of long-term, consistent work and proof that developing tourism and strengthening our local identity is a shared responsibility. The title not only brings international visibility for us but also offers an opportunity to build a strong professional network, create a gastronomic offer that consistently represents high quality, and strengthen local communities that proudly and authentically represent Harghita County. Our goal is for every local actor—from producer to hospitality provider—to become an ambassador for Harghita County through their services and together reinforce our identity as part of the European community, in flavours, traditions, and trust in the future.”

The coordination of preparations for holding the title is carried out by the Harghita Community Development Association (Visit Harghita). At the press conference, tools and programs were presented that serve to build the partnership system and involve local stakeholders.

As part of this, an informational handbook related to the European Region of Gastronomy 2027 program was prepared, providing detailed guidance on participation conditions, forms of partnership, and benefits of involvement. The document aims to provide a unified framework for all businesses and organizations contributing to the development and promotion of Harghita County’s gastronomic offer. A related code of conduct was also created, outlining the principles and professional standards that partners joining the program must follow.

“Work for the European Region of Gastronomy 2027 title began in 2023. Since then, active background preparation has been underway. Our goal is for the programs launched now to not only strengthen the 2027 year but also contribute long-term to Harghita County’s tourism development, reinforce cooperation between local producers and hospitality actors, and ensure the county becomes known as a sustainable, high-quality, and authentic gastronomic destination.”

– said Károly Szabó, Executive Director of the Harghita Community Development Association.

New initiatives to strengthen local gastronomic values

The press conference highlighted three main topics, which include selecting and promoting the county’s characteristic dishes, rating local hospitality establishments, and providing direct presentation opportunities for farms and producers.

The Signature Dish is a selection of Harghita County’s distinctive flavours, resulting from professional and community cooperation related to the European Region of Gastronomy 2027 title. The list was compiled based on a questionnaire survey and the joint evaluation of twelve chefs, and includes dishes and desserts reflecting traditions passed down through generations, the county’s cultural diversity, and authentic flavours. The program aims to present the region’s gastronomy uniformly, encourage collaboration between local producers and hospitality establishments, and increase the visibility of local ingredients and dishes.

The Myrmidone (orange butterfly) rating system is directly connected to the Signature Dish program and recognizes hospitality establishments offering a conscious gastronomic offer based on local ingredients and traditional flavours. Requirements for the rating include, among others, collaborating with local producers to include Signature Dish items in the menu, striving to reduce food waste, using ingredients sourced within a 100-kilometer radius, etc. The rating is named after the critically endangered orange butterfly (Colias Myrmidone), which occurs in only three European countries—Poland, Slovakia, and Romania—and in Romania is found only in two areas, including the border of Gheorgheni and Gheorgheni-Sânmărtin, in the Kürücök Valley. Its presence proves that Harghita County’s natural environment remains particularly valuable today. This clean, living environment is not only a heritage to be preserved but also manifests in the quality of local ingredients and the region’s gastronomy.

The Open Farm program offers local farms, agricultural producers, and food processors the opportunity to showcase their values to visitors in an organized and safe way. Participating units receive visitors by prior appointment, allowing them to meet producers directly, gain insight into daily activities, and experience first-hand how local ingredients and products are made. The program guarantees a quality experience and appropriate infrastructure, hygiene, and safety conditions. Open Farm participants will also be partners in the Open Farm weekend, which the coordinator plans to organize twice a year. During these weekends, each Open Farm will host special programs for visitors, thereby strengthening the direct connection between local producers and the public.

The presented programs represent an important milestone in preparations for 2027 and contribute to ensuring that Harghita County’s gastronomic and cultural values are showcased in a coordinated manner both nationally and internationally. Detailed information, criteria, and application forms are available on the Visit Harghita website and app.

European Region of Gastronomy

European Regions of Gastronomy (candidates and awardees), selected and guided by IGCAT, aim to contribute to the quality of life of their citizens by emphasizing the importance of cultural and gastronomic uniqueness, while also:

• Encouraging creativity and gastronomic innovation,
• Providing intellectual nourishment for children and adults through culinary education,
• Improving the quality of sustainable tourism,
• Strengthening circular economies in both urban and rural environments,
• Supporting the well-being and health of communities and the environment.

IGCAT provides the award with the support of international and European institutions. Regions also join the world platform of awarded and candidate Gastronomic Regions to promote long-term benefits, increase international visibility, and support knowledge sharing.

The European Region of Gastronomy title recognizes communities (cities, counties, regions, islands, or countries) that emphasize their gastronomic heritage through community collaboration under the principles of sustainable development. It places particular importance on preserving and protecting local foods, beverages, agricultural products, as well as cultural and natural values.

The title is an acknowledgment that widely promotes the region’s achievements, programs, community cooperation, and responses to future challenges but does not come with a monetary prize.

Members of the Harghita County Consortium:

• Harghita County Council
• Harghita Community Development Association (Visit Harghita)
• Miercurea Ciuc City Hall
• Odorheiu Secuiesc City Hall
• Gheorgheni City Hall
• Sapientia EMTE, Miercurea Ciuc Faculty
• Páva KulinarIQum Association
• Boro Info
• Honline Media (Székely Kitchen and Garden)
• Association of Miercurea Ciuc Hospitality Providers
• Pro Economica Foundation

Ghimeș-Făget hosted a local stakeholder meeting on February 18, 2026, organized within the framework of the CIBioGo – Citizen Participation in Biodiversity Governance (Interreg Europe) project.

The event was of particular importance, as the project has reached the final stage of the learning and interregional exchange process. Based on the international professional consultations and the transfer of good practices carried out in recent months, policy and development proposals have been outlined, which are intended to be integrated into the Master Plan for the Hășmaș Mountains area, developed by the Intercommunity Development Association of the Hășmaș Mountains area.

The aim of the meeting was, on the one hand, to present the amendment proposals grounded in the learning process, and on the other hand, to jointly discuss practical implementation possibilities, with particular regard to biodiversity conservation and strengthening community participation. At the same time, additional development ideas regarding the future of the area have emerged in recent months, which were also reviewed and discussed during the event.

During the discussions, it was emphasized that the area’s greatest value is not only its spectacular mountainous landscape, but the entire living environment and ecosystem that constitute it. Its protection, sustainable use, and promotion can provide a stable foundation for long-term development. Experts highlighted that the Master Plan must be prepared for the impacts of climate change, with particular attention to increasing the resilience of forest stands, supporting natural forest development processes, and strengthening the framework for sustainable tourism.

During the stakeholder consultation, development proposals formulated for different sub-areas were presented, focusing on the expansion of tourism infrastructure, the creation of educational trails and viewpoints, the development of ecotourism routes, as well as the establishment of community and educational facilities. Special attention was given to the development of cycling and hiking routes, the construction of springs and rest areas, and the renovation and sustainable use of attractions related to cultural and natural heritage.

During the consultation, it was also raised that, in addition to modifying the content of the strategic document, it may be necessary to review the related legal and management frameworks in order to ensure that the planned measures can be implemented in practice.

The event contributed to strengthening the long-term, sustainable development directions of the Hășmaș Mountains area, as well as to the active involvement of local communities and stakeholders in the preservation and promotion of biodiversity values.

In the implementation of the CIBioGo project, Harghita County Council participates together with partner institutions representing six European Union regions, coordinated by an Italian lead partner. The project consists of a 36-month main phase, complemented by a 12-month follow-up period. The cooperation, running until February 2026, aims to develop regional policy instruments through the introduction of structured participatory methods, involving citizens and stakeholders in the fields of biodiversity and ecosystem services. Within the project, Harghita County Council targets as a local policy instrument the Master Plan developed by the Intercommunity Development Association of the Hășmaș Mountains area, into which both the professional lessons learned from international exchange and the results of local consultations are incorporated.

Miercurea Ciuc, February 20, 2026.

Discussions on the development of the social economy, the opportunities in Harghita County, and the integration of international good practices into local decisions and programmes took place at a stakeholder meeting held in Miercurea Ciuc at the sewing workshop of the Right Association on February 17, organized by the Harghita County Council.

The meeting was organized within the SECON – Social Economy Regional Policies international project, implemented through the Interreg Europe programme, in which Harghita County Council is a partner. The project aims to make regional policies supporting the social economy more effective and transparent. The work focuses on several areas, including the involvement of stakeholders, increasing the visibility of the social economy, creating a favorable policy and legal environment, improving financing opportunities, as well as strengthening impact measurement and social innovation.

The sixth stakeholder meeting within the project was held at the Right Association, with the participation of representatives of social enterprises, civil society organizations, and public institutions. The civil organization based in Miercurea Ciuc supports the social and labor market integration of disadvantaged groups through its activities and programmes, and serves as a good example of how the social economy can create real opportunities. During the visit, discussions addressed the challenges faced by social economy actors in their daily work, including administrative burdens and financing issues. Participants concluded that the development of the social economy must be a conscious process based on cooperation.

Within the framework of the project, the next international meeting will be held in April 2026 in Mannheim, where the focus will be on monitoring, data-driven decision-making, social innovation, and start-up support. These experiences may also be useful for Harghita County.

Harghita County’s participation in the CIBioGo project meeting in Slovenia

On January 27–28, the thematic and Steering Group meeting of the international project CIBioGo – Citizen Participation in Biodiversity Governance, supported by the Interreg Europe programme, took place in Pokljuka, Slovenia. Harghita County Council was also represented at the event by the designated project team.

The two-day professional programme focused on reviewing the project’s results to date, presenting policy developments, and discussing methodological approaches for their monitoring. Participants paid special attention to how good practices that strengthen community participation can be integrated into regional and local development policy instruments.

The meeting was accompanied by workshops and joint professional consultations, providing an opportunity for experience exchange among partner regions and for jointly rethinking applicable solutions. As part of the programme, a field activity also took place, contributing to the direct understanding of the natural environment and to demonstrating practical approaches to biodiversity management.

The participation of Harghita County Council aligns with the county’s efforts to support the development of strategic documents related to the Hășmaș Mountains area, as well as to actively involve local communities in the preservation of natural values. In the next phase of the project, the focus will be on the local adaptation of good practices.

General information about the project can be found in the following video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8Hj5hKjLzs

Miercurea Ciuc, February 4, 2026.

Within the PATHS project, professionals from Harghita County visited Vienna to learn about good practices that support skills development and labour market integration for young people aged 14–21.

The Austrian partner presented the programmes of ÖJAB – Österreichische Jungarbeiterbewegung ‘EducationFit’ and the IPC training centre. These programmes involve young people who have already completed compulsory education but have not yet found their place in the labour market, offering them 10-week, personalised training courses.

Based on decades of Austrian experience, key success factors include:

• small-group training (8–10 participants), enabling more effective learning;
• mentoring and continuous follow-up, not only training itself;
• skills development aligned with labour market needs – alongside traditional trades, also design, e-commerce, digital tools, and social media skills;
• stable state support and a well-structured institutional framework.

Since 2025, Harghita County Council has been participating in the PATHS (Personalized Approach To Territorial Life And Career Support) European Union project, together with partners from eight additional countries in the Danube Region.

The initiative aims to strengthen career guidance and long-term life-path support, especially for young people living in rural areas. An important goal is to help as many young people as possible build their future locally and reduce outward migration.

The visit took place between March 9–12, 2026. In addition to experts from the County Council, Mózes Csongor, director of the “Kájoni János” Vocational High School in Miercurea Ciuc, also participated.

Unique opportunity for small local producers in Harghita County to participate in the World Food Gift Challenge 2026. The international competition, organized by IGCAT, aims to promote authentic and sustainable products from the world’s gastronomy regions. The event will take place in Crete on May 21, 2026. Winners receive international visibility and official recognition.

What types of products can be submitted?

• Gastronomic gifts: non-perishable local food products made from natural ingredients.
• Gastronomy-related craft products: kitchen tools or equipment that reflect local culture.
• Products must be produced in small quantities, be sustainable, and reflect the characteristics of the region.

How are participants selected?

To ensure high-quality representation of Harghita County, the Visit Harghita team will select 4 products for the final competition.

In case of high interest, selection will be based on the following criteria:

• Authenticity and local connection – the product should reflect the traditions, raw materials, or craftsmanship techniques of the region.
• Sustainability – preference is given to environmentally friendly production, responsibly packaged products, and those made from local ingredients.
• Quality and aesthetic appearance – the product must be well-crafted, visually appealing, and suitable as a gift.
• International promotional potential – products that can attract the interest of tourists and international markets.
• Story behind the product – each entry must include an interesting background story reflecting local culture and traditions.

Why apply?

• International promotion opportunity
• Increased visibility for local products
• Official quality certification

Visit Harghita covers half of the participation fee for selected applicants.

Application deadline: April 10, 2026.

Full call available here:
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/61g22zgq5ywjj8ztmitli/AK2EOiqtmlmIFsnRfbebzLM?rlkey=dyg1z48rd73fvrhnpbv7p6yca&e=1&st=02dvn28g&dl=0

For applications, please write to: [email protected]

Harghita Community Development Association (ADI Harghita)

Nearly forty international partners arrived in Harghita County to discuss the development of vocational education student mobility.

Representatives of the Harghita County Council hosted the international partners of the EASI and AVETE projects on March 10–11 during a joint professional visit. The two initiatives are implemented with the support of the Erasmus+ programme and aim to develop international mobility in vocational education and training.

During the two-day professional meeting, representatives of partner institutions from Greece, Hungary, Georgia, Slovenia, Slovakia, and Vojvodina participated, with a total of around 40 attendees. The aim of the programme was to prepare the student mobilities planned within the projects, strengthen cooperation between sending and host institutions, and share good practices in work-based learning.

During the event, participants became familiar with the locations and institutions involved in implementing the mobility programmes. The delegation visited Garden Proiect in Mădăraș and the Gyimes Open-Air Museum, which will host international students for traineeships in the future, as well as the Saint Elizabeth of Hungary Roman Catholic High School in Lunca de Sus, which will send students abroad for professional experience within the project.

During the professional discussions, partners reviewed in detail the mobility programmes to be implemented in the near future. Within the EASI project, four students from Slovenia will arrive in Miercurea Ciuc this spring for their traineeships, gaining professional experience at Garden Proiect and Levobit in the fields of computer numerical control (CNC) machining and IT. At a later stage, two additional students will join the programme. As part of the project, during the summer, six students from Harghita County will travel to Greece, where they will complete a three-month traineeship in the tourism sector. Prior to the programme, participants will take part in language and cultural preparation.

The AVETE project focuses on the development of long-term ErasmusPro mobilities in the tourism sector. According to plans, in the summer of 2026, between June and September, six students from Serbia will arrive in Harghita County for traineeships, while six local students studying tourism will gain professional experience in Slovakia within a 90-day mobility.

Through the implementation of the projects, Harghita County Council actively contributes to strengthening international cooperation in vocational education and training and to supporting young people in gaining professional experience abroad. Within the EASI project, the county council’s budget amounts to 157,279 euros, while in the AVETE project it is 150,870.89 euros, with 80% of the funding provided by European Union sources and 20% as co-financing.

During the meeting, partners also discussed that the next international partner meeting of the projects is expected to be organized in Miercurea Ciuc in May 2026, providing another opportunity to deepen cooperation and further develop these mobility programmes.

Miercurea Ciuc, March 13, 2026.

The Harghita Community Development Association (Visit Harghita) continues preparations for 2027, when Harghita County will hold the title of European Region of Gastronomy. The partnership opportunities presented at the end of February were showcased at several locations.

Meetings were held with tourism entrepreneurs in Băile Tușnad, Gheorgheni, Miercurea Ciuc, and Odorheiu Secuiesc, where detailed information was shared about three key initiatives: the Signature Dish list, the Myrmidone (butterfly) certification system, and the Open Farm program. Participants were able to ask questions and receive all necessary information regarding the conditions for joining.

The Signature Dish is a selection of Harghita County’s characteristic flavours, resulting from professional and community collaboration connected to the European Region of Gastronomy 2027 title. The list was compiled based on survey responses and joint evaluation by twelve chefs, featuring dishes and desserts that reflect traditions passed down through generations, the county’s cultural diversity, and authentic flavours. The program aims to present the region’s gastronomy in a unified way, encourage cooperation between local producers and hospitality venues, and increase the visibility of local ingredients and dishes. During the presentations, participants were also invited to contribute to the selection.

The Myrmidone (butterfly) certification system is linked to the Signature Dish program and recognizes hospitality venues that base their offerings on local ingredients and traditional flavours. Certification requirements include cooperation with local producers, offering Signature Dish items, reducing food waste, and, where possible, using ingredients sourced within a 100-kilometer radius. The system is named after the critically endangered Myrmidone butterfly (Colias myrmidone), which occurs in only three European countries – Poland, Slovakia, and Romania. Within Romania, it is found in only two regions, including the area around Gheorgheni and Gheorgheni-Șumuleu (Kürücök Valley), highlighting Harghita Cou  nty’s valuable natural environment.

The Open Farm program offers local farms, agricultural operations, and food producers the opportunity to host visitors by prior arrangement. Guests can directly meet producers, gain insight into the daily operations of farms, and experience firsthand the production of local products. Participants also offer programs during the Open Farm weekends, organized twice annually.

Applications for both the Open Farm program and the Myrmidone certification are open until May 22. Application forms are available for both programs (Myrmidone Certification, Open Farm), and participation requires compliance with the criteria system (Myrmidone Certification, Open Farm) and the Code of Conduct.

Units that successfully apply for the Myrmidone certification or Open Farm program will be included on Harghita County’s gastronomic map (printed and online), featured prominently on Visit Harghita platforms, included under the Harghita – European Region of Gastronomy 2027 section, and will be able to use the relevant logos, including the European Region of Gastronomy 2027 logo. A full list of the benefits of joining is available on the second page of the criteria system.

The County Council aims to build a professional network actively involved in promoting the county in preparation for 2027

The Harghita County Council, through the Harghita Community Development Association (Visit Harghita) and its partners, continues preparations for 2027, when Harghita County will hold the title of European Region of Gastronomy. In this context, a year ago, the county appointed its first honorary ambassador, tourism marketing expert Răzvan Pascu. At that time, Barna-Botond Bíró, President of the Harghita County Council, emphasized that the institution appoints tourism ambassadors to support efforts related to the 2027 Gastronomy Year, enhancing Harghita County’s visibility through their professional experience.

Continuing this initiative, during the IX International Horticultural Professional Days and Conference organized by Garden Proiect – held on Friday, February 27, in Miercurea Ciuc – Barna-Botond Bíró invited Marcsi Borbás to become Harghita County’s honorary tourism ambassador. The decision was motivated by her work and recognition in promoting gastronomy and culinary culture, making her a suitable and authentic representative of the county in this field.

The appointment continues the initiative launched last year, aiming to build a professional network actively engaged in promoting the region in preparation for 2027.

“In Harghita County, we build on partnerships, and the fact that we will be the European Region of Gastronomy in 2027 is not a privilege that came out of nowhere, but the result of nearly ten years of dedicated work. We want to show that we are not going to become a land of fairy tales; we already are. It is a matter of mindset— a value-creating community has no reason to be ashamed. In the coming period, our task will be to strengthen the professional partnerships built by the Association of Székely Farmers’ Organizations, hospitality operators, guesthouse owners, the academic community, and our tourism ambassadors. We will have two tourism ambassadors. Two, because we are a community that can count on the support of two governments. It is important not to focus on negatives. It is important that representatives of the Hungarian community are present in Bucharest, and government presence is especially important in difficult times. At the same time, it is important that Hungary has a national government that thinks in terms of the nation, not borders. A nation has no borders, and we can count on the support of both governments. We are a special community in Europe, and if we recognize this, one of the key tasks ahead is strengthening communal self-esteem. Where there is community self-esteem, there is economic power, a future, and young people do not only ask questions—they see opportunities. Last year, we invited Răzvan Pascu as our first tourism ambassador, and he accepted. When we issue invitations, we look for credible personalities who deeply know and represent gastronomic culture, who are followed on digital platforms, who know and love Harghita County and its local flavours, and for whom a tradition-based value system is fundamental. That is why we invited Marcsi Borbás as our second and final tourism ambassador, and I thank her for accepting. She is a defining figure of Hungarian gastronomic culture, who loves our community, conveys values, and shows how traditions can be presented to the world in a modern language.”

Borbás Marcsi is an editor and television producer who brings the simple values of everyday life closer to the audience with authenticity and warmth: the joy of gardening, the flavours of the kitchen, and the magic of home. Known from her TV shows and gastronomic projects, she offers her followers an inspiring perspective on daily life.

Marcsi Borbás said:

“It is a great honour for me to receive this invitation, and since I was invited to a horticultural conference, I would compare the preservation of gastronomic heritage to a tree. Half of my heart is in Transylvania. When I began seriously collecting Hungarian heritage thirty-three years ago and traveled through the villages, I saw that where this heritage still lives, not merely in preserved form, that is Transylvania. So here it really is a land of fairy tales. I completely agree. People need to know that there is no need to create a land of fairy tales here, just preserve it. Here the roots of the trees are still strong. In Hungary, it was harder, but I managed to reach the last generation who still held this knowledge and preserve what they knew. But here it still exists—not only among the older generation, but also among the youngest, even teenagers. This is an extraordinary sustaining force. If you look around Europe, this is the only place where you don’t need to search: you get in a car, and by the time you reach Csík, you see scenes that are now sadly exotic. Yesterday, for example, I saw a little girl running in the yard and herding geese. You don’t see this in Europe anymore. We just need to preserve what exists and be happy that it still lives here. And show it to the world. Come here! Here you can taste geese, vegetables, polenta, lamb that were not raised in industrial complexes but in nature. Here, you don’t need to search for what is natural. You just have to accept what nature provides because it still exists here. That is why representing all this is the simplest thing in the world; we only need to draw attention to the fact that it’s worth coming because there is still clean water, clean air, clean food, and clean spirit. We just need to realize and rejoice that all this still exists. I sincerely thank you for letting me represent all this in 2027.”

The title of European Region of Gastronomy promotes the community achievements and initiatives of a region, providing international visibility and development opportunities for local tourism and gastronomy stakeholders.

Programs aimed at presenting partnership opportunities and strengthening local gastronomic values were introduced at a press conference organized by the Harghita County Council on February 24, 2026, at the Hungaro Residence restaurant in Miercurea Ciuc, as part of the preparatory process following the awarding of the title of European Region of Gastronomy 2027.

The press event focused on initiatives through which local hospitality operators, producers, tourism service providers, civil organizations, and public institutions can actively participate as partners in the 2027 program. As is known, Harghita County will hold the title of European Region of Gastronomy in 2027, awarded by the International Institute of Gastronomy, Culture, Arts and Tourism (IGCAT) to communities that pay special attention to preserving their gastronomic heritage, developing local and sustainable food chains, and strengthening related tourism.

According to Barna-Botond Bíró, President of the Harghita County Council, in 2027 gastronomy will be the common language through which Harghita County’s past, values, communities, and future can be simultaneously showcased to Europe.

“The fact that Harghita County can hold the title of European Region of Gastronomy is the result of long-term, consistent work and proof that developing tourism and strengthening our local identity is a shared responsibility. The title not only brings international visibility for us but also offers an opportunity to build a strong professional network, create a gastronomic offer that consistently represents high quality, and strengthen local communities that proudly and authentically represent Harghita County. Our goal is for every local actor—from producer to hospitality provider—to become an ambassador for Harghita County through their services and together reinforce our identity as part of the European community, in flavours, traditions, and trust in the future.”

The coordination of preparations for holding the title is carried out by the Harghita Community Development Association (Visit Harghita). At the press conference, tools and programs were presented that serve to build the partnership system and involve local stakeholders.

As part of this, an informational handbook related to the European Region of Gastronomy 2027 program was prepared, providing detailed guidance on participation conditions, forms of partnership, and benefits of involvement. The document aims to provide a unified framework for all businesses and organizations contributing to the development and promotion of Harghita County’s gastronomic offer. A related code of conduct was also created, outlining the principles and professional standards that partners joining the program must follow.

“Work for the European Region of Gastronomy 2027 title began in 2023. Since then, active background preparation has been underway. Our goal is for the programs launched now to not only strengthen the 2027 year but also contribute long-term to Harghita County’s tourism development, reinforce cooperation between local producers and hospitality actors, and ensure the county becomes known as a sustainable, high-quality, and authentic gastronomic destination.”

– said Károly Szabó, Executive Director of the Harghita Community Development Association.

New initiatives to strengthen local gastronomic values

The press conference highlighted three main topics, which include selecting and promoting the county’s characteristic dishes, rating local hospitality establishments, and providing direct presentation opportunities for farms and producers.

The Signature Dish is a selection of Harghita County’s distinctive flavours, resulting from professional and community cooperation related to the European Region of Gastronomy 2027 title. The list was compiled based on a questionnaire survey and the joint evaluation of twelve chefs, and includes dishes and desserts reflecting traditions passed down through generations, the county’s cultural diversity, and authentic flavours. The program aims to present the region’s gastronomy uniformly, encourage collaboration between local producers and hospitality establishments, and increase the visibility of local ingredients and dishes.

The Myrmidone (orange butterfly) rating system is directly connected to the Signature Dish program and recognizes hospitality establishments offering a conscious gastronomic offer based on local ingredients and traditional flavours. Requirements for the rating include, among others, collaborating with local producers to include Signature Dish items in the menu, striving to reduce food waste, using ingredients sourced within a 100-kilometer radius, etc. The rating is named after the critically endangered orange butterfly (Colias Myrmidone), which occurs in only three European countries—Poland, Slovakia, and Romania—and in Romania is found only in two areas, including the border of Gheorgheni and Gheorgheni-Sânmărtin, in the Kürücök Valley. Its presence proves that Harghita County’s natural environment remains particularly valuable today. This clean, living environment is not only a heritage to be preserved but also manifests in the quality of local ingredients and the region’s gastronomy.

The Open Farm program offers local farms, agricultural producers, and food processors the opportunity to showcase their values to visitors in an organized and safe way. Participating units receive visitors by prior appointment, allowing them to meet producers directly, gain insight into daily activities, and experience first-hand how local ingredients and products are made. The program guarantees a quality experience and appropriate infrastructure, hygiene, and safety conditions. Open Farm participants will also be partners in the Open Farm weekend, which the coordinator plans to organize twice a year. During these weekends, each Open Farm will host special programs for visitors, thereby strengthening the direct connection between local producers and the public.

The presented programs represent an important milestone in preparations for 2027 and contribute to ensuring that Harghita County’s gastronomic and cultural values are showcased in a coordinated manner both nationally and internationally. Detailed information, criteria, and application forms are available on the Visit Harghita website and app.

European Region of Gastronomy

European Regions of Gastronomy (candidates and awardees), selected and guided by IGCAT, aim to contribute to the quality of life of their citizens by emphasizing the importance of cultural and gastronomic uniqueness, while also:

• Encouraging creativity and gastronomic innovation,
• Providing intellectual nourishment for children and adults through culinary education,
• Improving the quality of sustainable tourism,
• Strengthening circular economies in both urban and rural environments,
• Supporting the well-being and health of communities and the environment.

IGCAT provides the award with the support of international and European institutions. Regions also join the world platform of awarded and candidate Gastronomic Regions to promote long-term benefits, increase international visibility, and support knowledge sharing.

The European Region of Gastronomy title recognizes communities (cities, counties, regions, islands, or countries) that emphasize their gastronomic heritage through community collaboration under the principles of sustainable development. It places particular importance on preserving and protecting local foods, beverages, agricultural products, as well as cultural and natural values.

The title is an acknowledgment that widely promotes the region’s achievements, programs, community cooperation, and responses to future challenges but does not come with a monetary prize.

Members of the Harghita County Consortium:

• Harghita County Council
• Harghita Community Development Association (Visit Harghita)
• Miercurea Ciuc City Hall
• Odorheiu Secuiesc City Hall
• Gheorgheni City Hall
• Sapientia EMTE, Miercurea Ciuc Faculty
• Páva KulinarIQum Association
• Boro Info
• Honline Media (Székely Kitchen and Garden)
• Association of Miercurea Ciuc Hospitality Providers
• Pro Economica Foundation

Ghimeș-Făget hosted a local stakeholder meeting on February 18, 2026, organized within the framework of the CIBioGo – Citizen Participation in Biodiversity Governance (Interreg Europe) project.

The event was of particular importance, as the project has reached the final stage of the learning and interregional exchange process. Based on the international professional consultations and the transfer of good practices carried out in recent months, policy and development proposals have been outlined, which are intended to be integrated into the Master Plan for the Hășmaș Mountains area, developed by the Intercommunity Development Association of the Hășmaș Mountains area.

The aim of the meeting was, on the one hand, to present the amendment proposals grounded in the learning process, and on the other hand, to jointly discuss practical implementation possibilities, with particular regard to biodiversity conservation and strengthening community participation. At the same time, additional development ideas regarding the future of the area have emerged in recent months, which were also reviewed and discussed during the event.

During the discussions, it was emphasized that the area’s greatest value is not only its spectacular mountainous landscape, but the entire living environment and ecosystem that constitute it. Its protection, sustainable use, and promotion can provide a stable foundation for long-term development. Experts highlighted that the Master Plan must be prepared for the impacts of climate change, with particular attention to increasing the resilience of forest stands, supporting natural forest development processes, and strengthening the framework for sustainable tourism.

During the stakeholder consultation, development proposals formulated for different sub-areas were presented, focusing on the expansion of tourism infrastructure, the creation of educational trails and viewpoints, the development of ecotourism routes, as well as the establishment of community and educational facilities. Special attention was given to the development of cycling and hiking routes, the construction of springs and rest areas, and the renovation and sustainable use of attractions related to cultural and natural heritage.

During the consultation, it was also raised that, in addition to modifying the content of the strategic document, it may be necessary to review the related legal and management frameworks in order to ensure that the planned measures can be implemented in practice.

The event contributed to strengthening the long-term, sustainable development directions of the Hășmaș Mountains area, as well as to the active involvement of local communities and stakeholders in the preservation and promotion of biodiversity values.

In the implementation of the CIBioGo project, Harghita County Council participates together with partner institutions representing six European Union regions, coordinated by an Italian lead partner. The project consists of a 36-month main phase, complemented by a 12-month follow-up period. The cooperation, running until February 2026, aims to develop regional policy instruments through the introduction of structured participatory methods, involving citizens and stakeholders in the fields of biodiversity and ecosystem services. Within the project, Harghita County Council targets as a local policy instrument the Master Plan developed by the Intercommunity Development Association of the Hășmaș Mountains area, into which both the professional lessons learned from international exchange and the results of local consultations are incorporated.

Miercurea Ciuc, February 20, 2026.

Discussions on the development of the social economy, the opportunities in Harghita County, and the integration of international good practices into local decisions and programmes took place at a stakeholder meeting held in Miercurea Ciuc at the sewing workshop of the Right Association on February 17, organized by the Harghita County Council.

The meeting was organized within the SECON – Social Economy Regional Policies international project, implemented through the Interreg Europe programme, in which Harghita County Council is a partner. The project aims to make regional policies supporting the social economy more effective and transparent. The work focuses on several areas, including the involvement of stakeholders, increasing the visibility of the social economy, creating a favorable policy and legal environment, improving financing opportunities, as well as strengthening impact measurement and social innovation.

The sixth stakeholder meeting within the project was held at the Right Association, with the participation of representatives of social enterprises, civil society organizations, and public institutions. The civil organization based in Miercurea Ciuc supports the social and labor market integration of disadvantaged groups through its activities and programmes, and serves as a good example of how the social economy can create real opportunities. During the visit, discussions addressed the challenges faced by social economy actors in their daily work, including administrative burdens and financing issues. Participants concluded that the development of the social economy must be a conscious process based on cooperation.

Within the framework of the project, the next international meeting will be held in April 2026 in Mannheim, where the focus will be on monitoring, data-driven decision-making, social innovation, and start-up support. These experiences may also be useful for Harghita County.

Harghita County’s participation in the CIBioGo project meeting in Slovenia

On January 27–28, the thematic and Steering Group meeting of the international project CIBioGo – Citizen Participation in Biodiversity Governance, supported by the Interreg Europe programme, took place in Pokljuka, Slovenia. Harghita County Council was also represented at the event by the designated project team.

The two-day professional programme focused on reviewing the project’s results to date, presenting policy developments, and discussing methodological approaches for their monitoring. Participants paid special attention to how good practices that strengthen community participation can be integrated into regional and local development policy instruments.

The meeting was accompanied by workshops and joint professional consultations, providing an opportunity for experience exchange among partner regions and for jointly rethinking applicable solutions. As part of the programme, a field activity also took place, contributing to the direct understanding of the natural environment and to demonstrating practical approaches to biodiversity management.

The participation of Harghita County Council aligns with the county’s efforts to support the development of strategic documents related to the Hășmaș Mountains area, as well as to actively involve local communities in the preservation of natural values. In the next phase of the project, the focus will be on the local adaptation of good practices.

General information about the project can be found in the following video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8Hj5hKjLzs

Miercurea Ciuc, February 4, 2026.

Within the PATHS project, professionals from Harghita County visited Vienna to learn about good practices that support skills development and labour market integration for young people aged 14–21.

The Austrian partner presented the programmes of ÖJAB – Österreichische Jungarbeiterbewegung ‘EducationFit’ and the IPC training centre. These programmes involve young people who have already completed compulsory education but have not yet found their place in the labour market, offering them 10-week, personalised training courses.

Based on decades of Austrian experience, key success factors include:

• small-group training (8–10 participants), enabling more effective learning;
• mentoring and continuous follow-up, not only training itself;
• skills development aligned with labour market needs – alongside traditional trades, also design, e-commerce, digital tools, and social media skills;
• stable state support and a well-structured institutional framework.

Since 2025, Harghita County Council has been participating in the PATHS (Personalized Approach To Territorial Life And Career Support) European Union project, together with partners from eight additional countries in the Danube Region.

The initiative aims to strengthen career guidance and long-term life-path support, especially for young people living in rural areas. An important goal is to help as many young people as possible build their future locally and reduce outward migration.

The visit took place between March 9–12, 2026. In addition to experts from the County Council, Mózes Csongor, director of the “Kájoni János” Vocational High School in Miercurea Ciuc, also participated.

Unique opportunity for small local producers in Harghita County to participate in the World Food Gift Challenge 2026. The international competition, organized by IGCAT, aims to promote authentic and sustainable products from the world’s gastronomy regions. The event will take place in Crete on May 21, 2026. Winners receive international visibility and official recognition.

What types of products can be submitted?

• Gastronomic gifts: non-perishable local food products made from natural ingredients.
• Gastronomy-related craft products: kitchen tools or equipment that reflect local culture.
• Products must be produced in small quantities, be sustainable, and reflect the characteristics of the region.

How are participants selected?

To ensure high-quality representation of Harghita County, the Visit Harghita team will select 4 products for the final competition.

In case of high interest, selection will be based on the following criteria:

• Authenticity and local connection – the product should reflect the traditions, raw materials, or craftsmanship techniques of the region.
• Sustainability – preference is given to environmentally friendly production, responsibly packaged products, and those made from local ingredients.
• Quality and aesthetic appearance – the product must be well-crafted, visually appealing, and suitable as a gift.
• International promotional potential – products that can attract the interest of tourists and international markets.
• Story behind the product – each entry must include an interesting background story reflecting local culture and traditions.

Why apply?

• International promotion opportunity
• Increased visibility for local products
• Official quality certification

Visit Harghita covers half of the participation fee for selected applicants.

Application deadline: April 10, 2026.

Full call available here:
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/61g22zgq5ywjj8ztmitli/AK2EOiqtmlmIFsnRfbebzLM?rlkey=dyg1z48rd73fvrhnpbv7p6yca&e=1&st=02dvn28g&dl=0

For applications, please write to: [email protected]

Harghita Community Development Association (ADI Harghita)

Nearly forty international partners arrived in Harghita County to discuss the development of vocational education student mobility.

Representatives of the Harghita County Council hosted the international partners of the EASI and AVETE projects on March 10–11 during a joint professional visit. The two initiatives are implemented with the support of the Erasmus+ programme and aim to develop international mobility in vocational education and training.

During the two-day professional meeting, representatives of partner institutions from Greece, Hungary, Georgia, Slovenia, Slovakia, and Vojvodina participated, with a total of around 40 attendees. The aim of the programme was to prepare the student mobilities planned within the projects, strengthen cooperation between sending and host institutions, and share good practices in work-based learning.

During the event, participants became familiar with the locations and institutions involved in implementing the mobility programmes. The delegation visited Garden Proiect in Mădăraș and the Gyimes Open-Air Museum, which will host international students for traineeships in the future, as well as the Saint Elizabeth of Hungary Roman Catholic High School in Lunca de Sus, which will send students abroad for professional experience within the project.

During the professional discussions, partners reviewed in detail the mobility programmes to be implemented in the near future. Within the EASI project, four students from Slovenia will arrive in Miercurea Ciuc this spring for their traineeships, gaining professional experience at Garden Proiect and Levobit in the fields of computer numerical control (CNC) machining and IT. At a later stage, two additional students will join the programme. As part of the project, during the summer, six students from Harghita County will travel to Greece, where they will complete a three-month traineeship in the tourism sector. Prior to the programme, participants will take part in language and cultural preparation.

The AVETE project focuses on the development of long-term ErasmusPro mobilities in the tourism sector. According to plans, in the summer of 2026, between June and September, six students from Serbia will arrive in Harghita County for traineeships, while six local students studying tourism will gain professional experience in Slovakia within a 90-day mobility.

Through the implementation of the projects, Harghita County Council actively contributes to strengthening international cooperation in vocational education and training and to supporting young people in gaining professional experience abroad. Within the EASI project, the county council’s budget amounts to 157,279 euros, while in the AVETE project it is 150,870.89 euros, with 80% of the funding provided by European Union sources and 20% as co-financing.

During the meeting, partners also discussed that the next international partner meeting of the projects is expected to be organized in Miercurea Ciuc in May 2026, providing another opportunity to deepen cooperation and further develop these mobility programmes.

Miercurea Ciuc, March 13, 2026.

The Harghita Community Development Association (Visit Harghita) continues preparations for 2027, when Harghita County will hold the title of European Region of Gastronomy. The partnership opportunities presented at the end of February were showcased at several locations.

Meetings were held with tourism entrepreneurs in Băile Tușnad, Gheorgheni, Miercurea Ciuc, and Odorheiu Secuiesc, where detailed information was shared about three key initiatives: the Signature Dish list, the Myrmidone (butterfly) certification system, and the Open Farm program. Participants were able to ask questions and receive all necessary information regarding the conditions for joining.

The Signature Dish is a selection of Harghita County’s characteristic flavours, resulting from professional and community collaboration connected to the European Region of Gastronomy 2027 title. The list was compiled based on survey responses and joint evaluation by twelve chefs, featuring dishes and desserts that reflect traditions passed down through generations, the county’s cultural diversity, and authentic flavours. The program aims to present the region’s gastronomy in a unified way, encourage cooperation between local producers and hospitality venues, and increase the visibility of local ingredients and dishes. During the presentations, participants were also invited to contribute to the selection.

The Myrmidone (butterfly) certification system is linked to the Signature Dish program and recognizes hospitality venues that base their offerings on local ingredients and traditional flavours. Certification requirements include cooperation with local producers, offering Signature Dish items, reducing food waste, and, where possible, using ingredients sourced within a 100-kilometer radius. The system is named after the critically endangered Myrmidone butterfly (Colias myrmidone), which occurs in only three European countries – Poland, Slovakia, and Romania. Within Romania, it is found in only two regions, including the area around Gheorgheni and Gheorgheni-Șumuleu (Kürücök Valley), highlighting Harghita Cou  nty’s valuable natural environment.

The Open Farm program offers local farms, agricultural operations, and food producers the opportunity to host visitors by prior arrangement. Guests can directly meet producers, gain insight into the daily operations of farms, and experience firsthand the production of local products. Participants also offer programs during the Open Farm weekends, organized twice annually.

Applications for both the Open Farm program and the Myrmidone certification are open until May 22. Application forms are available for both programs (Myrmidone Certification, Open Farm), and participation requires compliance with the criteria system (Myrmidone Certification, Open Farm) and the Code of Conduct.

Units that successfully apply for the Myrmidone certification or Open Farm program will be included on Harghita County’s gastronomic map (printed and online), featured prominently on Visit Harghita platforms, included under the Harghita – European Region of Gastronomy 2027 section, and will be able to use the relevant logos, including the European Region of Gastronomy 2027 logo. A full list of the benefits of joining is available on the second page of the criteria system.

The County Council aims to build a professional network actively involved in promoting the county in preparation for 2027

The Harghita County Council, through the Harghita Community Development Association (Visit Harghita) and its partners, continues preparations for 2027, when Harghita County will hold the title of European Region of Gastronomy. In this context, a year ago, the county appointed its first honorary ambassador, tourism marketing expert Răzvan Pascu. At that time, Barna-Botond Bíró, President of the Harghita County Council, emphasized that the institution appoints tourism ambassadors to support efforts related to the 2027 Gastronomy Year, enhancing Harghita County’s visibility through their professional experience.

Continuing this initiative, during the IX International Horticultural Professional Days and Conference organized by Garden Proiect – held on Friday, February 27, in Miercurea Ciuc – Barna-Botond Bíró invited Marcsi Borbás to become Harghita County’s honorary tourism ambassador. The decision was motivated by her work and recognition in promoting gastronomy and culinary culture, making her a suitable and authentic representative of the county in this field.

The appointment continues the initiative launched last year, aiming to build a professional network actively engaged in promoting the region in preparation for 2027.

“In Harghita County, we build on partnerships, and the fact that we will be the European Region of Gastronomy in 2027 is not a privilege that came out of nowhere, but the result of nearly ten years of dedicated work. We want to show that we are not going to become a land of fairy tales; we already are. It is a matter of mindset— a value-creating community has no reason to be ashamed. In the coming period, our task will be to strengthen the professional partnerships built by the Association of Székely Farmers’ Organizations, hospitality operators, guesthouse owners, the academic community, and our tourism ambassadors. We will have two tourism ambassadors. Two, because we are a community that can count on the support of two governments. It is important not to focus on negatives. It is important that representatives of the Hungarian community are present in Bucharest, and government presence is especially important in difficult times. At the same time, it is important that Hungary has a national government that thinks in terms of the nation, not borders. A nation has no borders, and we can count on the support of both governments. We are a special community in Europe, and if we recognize this, one of the key tasks ahead is strengthening communal self-esteem. Where there is community self-esteem, there is economic power, a future, and young people do not only ask questions—they see opportunities. Last year, we invited Răzvan Pascu as our first tourism ambassador, and he accepted. When we issue invitations, we look for credible personalities who deeply know and represent gastronomic culture, who are followed on digital platforms, who know and love Harghita County and its local flavours, and for whom a tradition-based value system is fundamental. That is why we invited Marcsi Borbás as our second and final tourism ambassador, and I thank her for accepting. She is a defining figure of Hungarian gastronomic culture, who loves our community, conveys values, and shows how traditions can be presented to the world in a modern language.”

Borbás Marcsi is an editor and television producer who brings the simple values of everyday life closer to the audience with authenticity and warmth: the joy of gardening, the flavours of the kitchen, and the magic of home. Known from her TV shows and gastronomic projects, she offers her followers an inspiring perspective on daily life.

Marcsi Borbás said:

“It is a great honour for me to receive this invitation, and since I was invited to a horticultural conference, I would compare the preservation of gastronomic heritage to a tree. Half of my heart is in Transylvania. When I began seriously collecting Hungarian heritage thirty-three years ago and traveled through the villages, I saw that where this heritage still lives, not merely in preserved form, that is Transylvania. So here it really is a land of fairy tales. I completely agree. People need to know that there is no need to create a land of fairy tales here, just preserve it. Here the roots of the trees are still strong. In Hungary, it was harder, but I managed to reach the last generation who still held this knowledge and preserve what they knew. But here it still exists—not only among the older generation, but also among the youngest, even teenagers. This is an extraordinary sustaining force. If you look around Europe, this is the only place where you don’t need to search: you get in a car, and by the time you reach Csík, you see scenes that are now sadly exotic. Yesterday, for example, I saw a little girl running in the yard and herding geese. You don’t see this in Europe anymore. We just need to preserve what exists and be happy that it still lives here. And show it to the world. Come here! Here you can taste geese, vegetables, polenta, lamb that were not raised in industrial complexes but in nature. Here, you don’t need to search for what is natural. You just have to accept what nature provides because it still exists here. That is why representing all this is the simplest thing in the world; we only need to draw attention to the fact that it’s worth coming because there is still clean water, clean air, clean food, and clean spirit. We just need to realize and rejoice that all this still exists. I sincerely thank you for letting me represent all this in 2027.”

The title of European Region of Gastronomy promotes the community achievements and initiatives of a region, providing international visibility and development opportunities for local tourism and gastronomy stakeholders.

Programs aimed at presenting partnership opportunities and strengthening local gastronomic values were introduced at a press conference organized by the Harghita County Council on February 24, 2026, at the Hungaro Residence restaurant in Miercurea Ciuc, as part of the preparatory process following the awarding of the title of European Region of Gastronomy 2027.

The press event focused on initiatives through which local hospitality operators, producers, tourism service providers, civil organizations, and public institutions can actively participate as partners in the 2027 program. As is known, Harghita County will hold the title of European Region of Gastronomy in 2027, awarded by the International Institute of Gastronomy, Culture, Arts and Tourism (IGCAT) to communities that pay special attention to preserving their gastronomic heritage, developing local and sustainable food chains, and strengthening related tourism.

According to Barna-Botond Bíró, President of the Harghita County Council, in 2027 gastronomy will be the common language through which Harghita County’s past, values, communities, and future can be simultaneously showcased to Europe.

“The fact that Harghita County can hold the title of European Region of Gastronomy is the result of long-term, consistent work and proof that developing tourism and strengthening our local identity is a shared responsibility. The title not only brings international visibility for us but also offers an opportunity to build a strong professional network, create a gastronomic offer that consistently represents high quality, and strengthen local communities that proudly and authentically represent Harghita County. Our goal is for every local actor—from producer to hospitality provider—to become an ambassador for Harghita County through their services and together reinforce our identity as part of the European community, in flavours, traditions, and trust in the future.”

The coordination of preparations for holding the title is carried out by the Harghita Community Development Association (Visit Harghita). At the press conference, tools and programs were presented that serve to build the partnership system and involve local stakeholders.

As part of this, an informational handbook related to the European Region of Gastronomy 2027 program was prepared, providing detailed guidance on participation conditions, forms of partnership, and benefits of involvement. The document aims to provide a unified framework for all businesses and organizations contributing to the development and promotion of Harghita County’s gastronomic offer. A related code of conduct was also created, outlining the principles and professional standards that partners joining the program must follow.

“Work for the European Region of Gastronomy 2027 title began in 2023. Since then, active background preparation has been underway. Our goal is for the programs launched now to not only strengthen the 2027 year but also contribute long-term to Harghita County’s tourism development, reinforce cooperation between local producers and hospitality actors, and ensure the county becomes known as a sustainable, high-quality, and authentic gastronomic destination.”

– said Károly Szabó, Executive Director of the Harghita Community Development Association.

New initiatives to strengthen local gastronomic values

The press conference highlighted three main topics, which include selecting and promoting the county’s characteristic dishes, rating local hospitality establishments, and providing direct presentation opportunities for farms and producers.

The Signature Dish is a selection of Harghita County’s distinctive flavours, resulting from professional and community cooperation related to the European Region of Gastronomy 2027 title. The list was compiled based on a questionnaire survey and the joint evaluation of twelve chefs, and includes dishes and desserts reflecting traditions passed down through generations, the county’s cultural diversity, and authentic flavours. The program aims to present the region’s gastronomy uniformly, encourage collaboration between local producers and hospitality establishments, and increase the visibility of local ingredients and dishes.

The Myrmidone (orange butterfly) rating system is directly connected to the Signature Dish program and recognizes hospitality establishments offering a conscious gastronomic offer based on local ingredients and traditional flavours. Requirements for the rating include, among others, collaborating with local producers to include Signature Dish items in the menu, striving to reduce food waste, using ingredients sourced within a 100-kilometer radius, etc. The rating is named after the critically endangered orange butterfly (Colias Myrmidone), which occurs in only three European countries—Poland, Slovakia, and Romania—and in Romania is found only in two areas, including the border of Gheorgheni and Gheorgheni-Sânmărtin, in the Kürücök Valley. Its presence proves that Harghita County’s natural environment remains particularly valuable today. This clean, living environment is not only a heritage to be preserved but also manifests in the quality of local ingredients and the region’s gastronomy.

The Open Farm program offers local farms, agricultural producers, and food processors the opportunity to showcase their values to visitors in an organized and safe way. Participating units receive visitors by prior appointment, allowing them to meet producers directly, gain insight into daily activities, and experience first-hand how local ingredients and products are made. The program guarantees a quality experience and appropriate infrastructure, hygiene, and safety conditions. Open Farm participants will also be partners in the Open Farm weekend, which the coordinator plans to organize twice a year. During these weekends, each Open Farm will host special programs for visitors, thereby strengthening the direct connection between local producers and the public.

The presented programs represent an important milestone in preparations for 2027 and contribute to ensuring that Harghita County’s gastronomic and cultural values are showcased in a coordinated manner both nationally and internationally. Detailed information, criteria, and application forms are available on the Visit Harghita website and app.

European Region of Gastronomy

European Regions of Gastronomy (candidates and awardees), selected and guided by IGCAT, aim to contribute to the quality of life of their citizens by emphasizing the importance of cultural and gastronomic uniqueness, while also:

• Encouraging creativity and gastronomic innovation,
• Providing intellectual nourishment for children and adults through culinary education,
• Improving the quality of sustainable tourism,
• Strengthening circular economies in both urban and rural environments,
• Supporting the well-being and health of communities and the environment.

IGCAT provides the award with the support of international and European institutions. Regions also join the world platform of awarded and candidate Gastronomic Regions to promote long-term benefits, increase international visibility, and support knowledge sharing.

The European Region of Gastronomy title recognizes communities (cities, counties, regions, islands, or countries) that emphasize their gastronomic heritage through community collaboration under the principles of sustainable development. It places particular importance on preserving and protecting local foods, beverages, agricultural products, as well as cultural and natural values.

The title is an acknowledgment that widely promotes the region’s achievements, programs, community cooperation, and responses to future challenges but does not come with a monetary prize.

Members of the Harghita County Consortium:

• Harghita County Council
• Harghita Community Development Association (Visit Harghita)
• Miercurea Ciuc City Hall
• Odorheiu Secuiesc City Hall
• Gheorgheni City Hall
• Sapientia EMTE, Miercurea Ciuc Faculty
• Páva KulinarIQum Association
• Boro Info
• Honline Media (Székely Kitchen and Garden)
• Association of Miercurea Ciuc Hospitality Providers
• Pro Economica Foundation

Ghimeș-Făget hosted a local stakeholder meeting on February 18, 2026, organized within the framework of the CIBioGo – Citizen Participation in Biodiversity Governance (Interreg Europe) project.

The event was of particular importance, as the project has reached the final stage of the learning and interregional exchange process. Based on the international professional consultations and the transfer of good practices carried out in recent months, policy and development proposals have been outlined, which are intended to be integrated into the Master Plan for the Hășmaș Mountains area, developed by the Intercommunity Development Association of the Hășmaș Mountains area.

The aim of the meeting was, on the one hand, to present the amendment proposals grounded in the learning process, and on the other hand, to jointly discuss practical implementation possibilities, with particular regard to biodiversity conservation and strengthening community participation. At the same time, additional development ideas regarding the future of the area have emerged in recent months, which were also reviewed and discussed during the event.

During the discussions, it was emphasized that the area’s greatest value is not only its spectacular mountainous landscape, but the entire living environment and ecosystem that constitute it. Its protection, sustainable use, and promotion can provide a stable foundation for long-term development. Experts highlighted that the Master Plan must be prepared for the impacts of climate change, with particular attention to increasing the resilience of forest stands, supporting natural forest development processes, and strengthening the framework for sustainable tourism.

During the stakeholder consultation, development proposals formulated for different sub-areas were presented, focusing on the expansion of tourism infrastructure, the creation of educational trails and viewpoints, the development of ecotourism routes, as well as the establishment of community and educational facilities. Special attention was given to the development of cycling and hiking routes, the construction of springs and rest areas, and the renovation and sustainable use of attractions related to cultural and natural heritage.

During the consultation, it was also raised that, in addition to modifying the content of the strategic document, it may be necessary to review the related legal and management frameworks in order to ensure that the planned measures can be implemented in practice.

The event contributed to strengthening the long-term, sustainable development directions of the Hășmaș Mountains area, as well as to the active involvement of local communities and stakeholders in the preservation and promotion of biodiversity values.

In the implementation of the CIBioGo project, Harghita County Council participates together with partner institutions representing six European Union regions, coordinated by an Italian lead partner. The project consists of a 36-month main phase, complemented by a 12-month follow-up period. The cooperation, running until February 2026, aims to develop regional policy instruments through the introduction of structured participatory methods, involving citizens and stakeholders in the fields of biodiversity and ecosystem services. Within the project, Harghita County Council targets as a local policy instrument the Master Plan developed by the Intercommunity Development Association of the Hășmaș Mountains area, into which both the professional lessons learned from international exchange and the results of local consultations are incorporated.

Miercurea Ciuc, February 20, 2026.

Discussions on the development of the social economy, the opportunities in Harghita County, and the integration of international good practices into local decisions and programmes took place at a stakeholder meeting held in Miercurea Ciuc at the sewing workshop of the Right Association on February 17, organized by the Harghita County Council.

The meeting was organized within the SECON – Social Economy Regional Policies international project, implemented through the Interreg Europe programme, in which Harghita County Council is a partner. The project aims to make regional policies supporting the social economy more effective and transparent. The work focuses on several areas, including the involvement of stakeholders, increasing the visibility of the social economy, creating a favorable policy and legal environment, improving financing opportunities, as well as strengthening impact measurement and social innovation.

The sixth stakeholder meeting within the project was held at the Right Association, with the participation of representatives of social enterprises, civil society organizations, and public institutions. The civil organization based in Miercurea Ciuc supports the social and labor market integration of disadvantaged groups through its activities and programmes, and serves as a good example of how the social economy can create real opportunities. During the visit, discussions addressed the challenges faced by social economy actors in their daily work, including administrative burdens and financing issues. Participants concluded that the development of the social economy must be a conscious process based on cooperation.

Within the framework of the project, the next international meeting will be held in April 2026 in Mannheim, where the focus will be on monitoring, data-driven decision-making, social innovation, and start-up support. These experiences may also be useful for Harghita County.

Harghita County’s participation in the CIBioGo project meeting in Slovenia

On January 27–28, the thematic and Steering Group meeting of the international project CIBioGo – Citizen Participation in Biodiversity Governance, supported by the Interreg Europe programme, took place in Pokljuka, Slovenia. Harghita County Council was also represented at the event by the designated project team.

The two-day professional programme focused on reviewing the project’s results to date, presenting policy developments, and discussing methodological approaches for their monitoring. Participants paid special attention to how good practices that strengthen community participation can be integrated into regional and local development policy instruments.

The meeting was accompanied by workshops and joint professional consultations, providing an opportunity for experience exchange among partner regions and for jointly rethinking applicable solutions. As part of the programme, a field activity also took place, contributing to the direct understanding of the natural environment and to demonstrating practical approaches to biodiversity management.

The participation of Harghita County Council aligns with the county’s efforts to support the development of strategic documents related to the Hășmaș Mountains area, as well as to actively involve local communities in the preservation of natural values. In the next phase of the project, the focus will be on the local adaptation of good practices.

General information about the project can be found in the following video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8Hj5hKjLzs

Miercurea Ciuc, February 4, 2026.

Within the PATHS project, professionals from Harghita County visited Vienna to learn about good practices that support skills development and labour market integration for young people aged 14–21.

The Austrian partner presented the programmes of ÖJAB – Österreichische Jungarbeiterbewegung ‘EducationFit’ and the IPC training centre. These programmes involve young people who have already completed compulsory education but have not yet found their place in the labour market, offering them 10-week, personalised training courses.

Based on decades of Austrian experience, key success factors include:

• small-group training (8–10 participants), enabling more effective learning;
• mentoring and continuous follow-up, not only training itself;
• skills development aligned with labour market needs – alongside traditional trades, also design, e-commerce, digital tools, and social media skills;
• stable state support and a well-structured institutional framework.

Since 2025, Harghita County Council has been participating in the PATHS (Personalized Approach To Territorial Life And Career Support) European Union project, together with partners from eight additional countries in the Danube Region.

The initiative aims to strengthen career guidance and long-term life-path support, especially for young people living in rural areas. An important goal is to help as many young people as possible build their future locally and reduce outward migration.

The visit took place between March 9–12, 2026. In addition to experts from the County Council, Mózes Csongor, director of the “Kájoni János” Vocational High School in Miercurea Ciuc, also participated.

Unique opportunity for small local producers in Harghita County to participate in the World Food Gift Challenge 2026. The international competition, organized by IGCAT, aims to promote authentic and sustainable products from the world’s gastronomy regions. The event will take place in Crete on May 21, 2026. Winners receive international visibility and official recognition.

What types of products can be submitted?

• Gastronomic gifts: non-perishable local food products made from natural ingredients.
• Gastronomy-related craft products: kitchen tools or equipment that reflect local culture.
• Products must be produced in small quantities, be sustainable, and reflect the characteristics of the region.

How are participants selected?

To ensure high-quality representation of Harghita County, the Visit Harghita team will select 4 products for the final competition.

In case of high interest, selection will be based on the following criteria:

• Authenticity and local connection – the product should reflect the traditions, raw materials, or craftsmanship techniques of the region.
• Sustainability – preference is given to environmentally friendly production, responsibly packaged products, and those made from local ingredients.
• Quality and aesthetic appearance – the product must be well-crafted, visually appealing, and suitable as a gift.
• International promotional potential – products that can attract the interest of tourists and international markets.
• Story behind the product – each entry must include an interesting background story reflecting local culture and traditions.

Why apply?

• International promotion opportunity
• Increased visibility for local products
• Official quality certification

Visit Harghita covers half of the participation fee for selected applicants.

Application deadline: April 10, 2026.

Full call available here:
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/61g22zgq5ywjj8ztmitli/AK2EOiqtmlmIFsnRfbebzLM?rlkey=dyg1z48rd73fvrhnpbv7p6yca&e=1&st=02dvn28g&dl=0

For applications, please write to: [email protected]

Harghita Community Development Association (ADI Harghita)

Nearly forty international partners arrived in Harghita County to discuss the development of vocational education student mobility.

Representatives of the Harghita County Council hosted the international partners of the EASI and AVETE projects on March 10–11 during a joint professional visit. The two initiatives are implemented with the support of the Erasmus+ programme and aim to develop international mobility in vocational education and training.

During the two-day professional meeting, representatives of partner institutions from Greece, Hungary, Georgia, Slovenia, Slovakia, and Vojvodina participated, with a total of around 40 attendees. The aim of the programme was to prepare the student mobilities planned within the projects, strengthen cooperation between sending and host institutions, and share good practices in work-based learning.

During the event, participants became familiar with the locations and institutions involved in implementing the mobility programmes. The delegation visited Garden Proiect in Mădăraș and the Gyimes Open-Air Museum, which will host international students for traineeships in the future, as well as the Saint Elizabeth of Hungary Roman Catholic High School in Lunca de Sus, which will send students abroad for professional experience within the project.

During the professional discussions, partners reviewed in detail the mobility programmes to be implemented in the near future. Within the EASI project, four students from Slovenia will arrive in Miercurea Ciuc this spring for their traineeships, gaining professional experience at Garden Proiect and Levobit in the fields of computer numerical control (CNC) machining and IT. At a later stage, two additional students will join the programme. As part of the project, during the summer, six students from Harghita County will travel to Greece, where they will complete a three-month traineeship in the tourism sector. Prior to the programme, participants will take part in language and cultural preparation.

The AVETE project focuses on the development of long-term ErasmusPro mobilities in the tourism sector. According to plans, in the summer of 2026, between June and September, six students from Serbia will arrive in Harghita County for traineeships, while six local students studying tourism will gain professional experience in Slovakia within a 90-day mobility.

Through the implementation of the projects, Harghita County Council actively contributes to strengthening international cooperation in vocational education and training and to supporting young people in gaining professional experience abroad. Within the EASI project, the county council’s budget amounts to 157,279 euros, while in the AVETE project it is 150,870.89 euros, with 80% of the funding provided by European Union sources and 20% as co-financing.

During the meeting, partners also discussed that the next international partner meeting of the projects is expected to be organized in Miercurea Ciuc in May 2026, providing another opportunity to deepen cooperation and further develop these mobility programmes.

Miercurea Ciuc, March 13, 2026.

The Harghita Community Development Association (Visit Harghita) continues preparations for 2027, when Harghita County will hold the title of European Region of Gastronomy. The partnership opportunities presented at the end of February were showcased at several locations.

Meetings were held with tourism entrepreneurs in Băile Tușnad, Gheorgheni, Miercurea Ciuc, and Odorheiu Secuiesc, where detailed information was shared about three key initiatives: the Signature Dish list, the Myrmidone (butterfly) certification system, and the Open Farm program. Participants were able to ask questions and receive all necessary information regarding the conditions for joining.

The Signature Dish is a selection of Harghita County’s characteristic flavours, resulting from professional and community collaboration connected to the European Region of Gastronomy 2027 title. The list was compiled based on survey responses and joint evaluation by twelve chefs, featuring dishes and desserts that reflect traditions passed down through generations, the county’s cultural diversity, and authentic flavours. The program aims to present the region’s gastronomy in a unified way, encourage cooperation between local producers and hospitality venues, and increase the visibility of local ingredients and dishes. During the presentations, participants were also invited to contribute to the selection.

The Myrmidone (butterfly) certification system is linked to the Signature Dish program and recognizes hospitality venues that base their offerings on local ingredients and traditional flavours. Certification requirements include cooperation with local producers, offering Signature Dish items, reducing food waste, and, where possible, using ingredients sourced within a 100-kilometer radius. The system is named after the critically endangered Myrmidone butterfly (Colias myrmidone), which occurs in only three European countries – Poland, Slovakia, and Romania. Within Romania, it is found in only two regions, including the area around Gheorgheni and Gheorgheni-Șumuleu (Kürücök Valley), highlighting Harghita Cou  nty’s valuable natural environment.

The Open Farm program offers local farms, agricultural operations, and food producers the opportunity to host visitors by prior arrangement. Guests can directly meet producers, gain insight into the daily operations of farms, and experience firsthand the production of local products. Participants also offer programs during the Open Farm weekends, organized twice annually.

Applications for both the Open Farm program and the Myrmidone certification are open until May 22. Application forms are available for both programs (Myrmidone Certification, Open Farm), and participation requires compliance with the criteria system (Myrmidone Certification, Open Farm) and the Code of Conduct.

Units that successfully apply for the Myrmidone certification or Open Farm program will be included on Harghita County’s gastronomic map (printed and online), featured prominently on Visit Harghita platforms, included under the Harghita – European Region of Gastronomy 2027 section, and will be able to use the relevant logos, including the European Region of Gastronomy 2027 logo. A full list of the benefits of joining is available on the second page of the criteria system.

The County Council aims to build a professional network actively involved in promoting the county in preparation for 2027

The Harghita County Council, through the Harghita Community Development Association (Visit Harghita) and its partners, continues preparations for 2027, when Harghita County will hold the title of European Region of Gastronomy. In this context, a year ago, the county appointed its first honorary ambassador, tourism marketing expert Răzvan Pascu. At that time, Barna-Botond Bíró, President of the Harghita County Council, emphasized that the institution appoints tourism ambassadors to support efforts related to the 2027 Gastronomy Year, enhancing Harghita County’s visibility through their professional experience.

Continuing this initiative, during the IX International Horticultural Professional Days and Conference organized by Garden Proiect – held on Friday, February 27, in Miercurea Ciuc – Barna-Botond Bíró invited Marcsi Borbás to become Harghita County’s honorary tourism ambassador. The decision was motivated by her work and recognition in promoting gastronomy and culinary culture, making her a suitable and authentic representative of the county in this field.

The appointment continues the initiative launched last year, aiming to build a professional network actively engaged in promoting the region in preparation for 2027.

“In Harghita County, we build on partnerships, and the fact that we will be the European Region of Gastronomy in 2027 is not a privilege that came out of nowhere, but the result of nearly ten years of dedicated work. We want to show that we are not going to become a land of fairy tales; we already are. It is a matter of mindset— a value-creating community has no reason to be ashamed. In the coming period, our task will be to strengthen the professional partnerships built by the Association of Székely Farmers’ Organizations, hospitality operators, guesthouse owners, the academic community, and our tourism ambassadors. We will have two tourism ambassadors. Two, because we are a community that can count on the support of two governments. It is important not to focus on negatives. It is important that representatives of the Hungarian community are present in Bucharest, and government presence is especially important in difficult times. At the same time, it is important that Hungary has a national government that thinks in terms of the nation, not borders. A nation has no borders, and we can count on the support of both governments. We are a special community in Europe, and if we recognize this, one of the key tasks ahead is strengthening communal self-esteem. Where there is community self-esteem, there is economic power, a future, and young people do not only ask questions—they see opportunities. Last year, we invited Răzvan Pascu as our first tourism ambassador, and he accepted. When we issue invitations, we look for credible personalities who deeply know and represent gastronomic culture, who are followed on digital platforms, who know and love Harghita County and its local flavours, and for whom a tradition-based value system is fundamental. That is why we invited Marcsi Borbás as our second and final tourism ambassador, and I thank her for accepting. She is a defining figure of Hungarian gastronomic culture, who loves our community, conveys values, and shows how traditions can be presented to the world in a modern language.”

Borbás Marcsi is an editor and television producer who brings the simple values of everyday life closer to the audience with authenticity and warmth: the joy of gardening, the flavours of the kitchen, and the magic of home. Known from her TV shows and gastronomic projects, she offers her followers an inspiring perspective on daily life.

Marcsi Borbás said:

“It is a great honour for me to receive this invitation, and since I was invited to a horticultural conference, I would compare the preservation of gastronomic heritage to a tree. Half of my heart is in Transylvania. When I began seriously collecting Hungarian heritage thirty-three years ago and traveled through the villages, I saw that where this heritage still lives, not merely in preserved form, that is Transylvania. So here it really is a land of fairy tales. I completely agree. People need to know that there is no need to create a land of fairy tales here, just preserve it. Here the roots of the trees are still strong. In Hungary, it was harder, but I managed to reach the last generation who still held this knowledge and preserve what they knew. But here it still exists—not only among the older generation, but also among the youngest, even teenagers. This is an extraordinary sustaining force. If you look around Europe, this is the only place where you don’t need to search: you get in a car, and by the time you reach Csík, you see scenes that are now sadly exotic. Yesterday, for example, I saw a little girl running in the yard and herding geese. You don’t see this in Europe anymore. We just need to preserve what exists and be happy that it still lives here. And show it to the world. Come here! Here you can taste geese, vegetables, polenta, lamb that were not raised in industrial complexes but in nature. Here, you don’t need to search for what is natural. You just have to accept what nature provides because it still exists here. That is why representing all this is the simplest thing in the world; we only need to draw attention to the fact that it’s worth coming because there is still clean water, clean air, clean food, and clean spirit. We just need to realize and rejoice that all this still exists. I sincerely thank you for letting me represent all this in 2027.”

The title of European Region of Gastronomy promotes the community achievements and initiatives of a region, providing international visibility and development opportunities for local tourism and gastronomy stakeholders.

Programs aimed at presenting partnership opportunities and strengthening local gastronomic values were introduced at a press conference organized by the Harghita County Council on February 24, 2026, at the Hungaro Residence restaurant in Miercurea Ciuc, as part of the preparatory process following the awarding of the title of European Region of Gastronomy 2027.

The press event focused on initiatives through which local hospitality operators, producers, tourism service providers, civil organizations, and public institutions can actively participate as partners in the 2027 program. As is known, Harghita County will hold the title of European Region of Gastronomy in 2027, awarded by the International Institute of Gastronomy, Culture, Arts and Tourism (IGCAT) to communities that pay special attention to preserving their gastronomic heritage, developing local and sustainable food chains, and strengthening related tourism.

According to Barna-Botond Bíró, President of the Harghita County Council, in 2027 gastronomy will be the common language through which Harghita County’s past, values, communities, and future can be simultaneously showcased to Europe.

“The fact that Harghita County can hold the title of European Region of Gastronomy is the result of long-term, consistent work and proof that developing tourism and strengthening our local identity is a shared responsibility. The title not only brings international visibility for us but also offers an opportunity to build a strong professional network, create a gastronomic offer that consistently represents high quality, and strengthen local communities that proudly and authentically represent Harghita County. Our goal is for every local actor—from producer to hospitality provider—to become an ambassador for Harghita County through their services and together reinforce our identity as part of the European community, in flavours, traditions, and trust in the future.”

The coordination of preparations for holding the title is carried out by the Harghita Community Development Association (Visit Harghita). At the press conference, tools and programs were presented that serve to build the partnership system and involve local stakeholders.

As part of this, an informational handbook related to the European Region of Gastronomy 2027 program was prepared, providing detailed guidance on participation conditions, forms of partnership, and benefits of involvement. The document aims to provide a unified framework for all businesses and organizations contributing to the development and promotion of Harghita County’s gastronomic offer. A related code of conduct was also created, outlining the principles and professional standards that partners joining the program must follow.

“Work for the European Region of Gastronomy 2027 title began in 2023. Since then, active background preparation has been underway. Our goal is for the programs launched now to not only strengthen the 2027 year but also contribute long-term to Harghita County’s tourism development, reinforce cooperation between local producers and hospitality actors, and ensure the county becomes known as a sustainable, high-quality, and authentic gastronomic destination.”

– said Károly Szabó, Executive Director of the Harghita Community Development Association.

New initiatives to strengthen local gastronomic values

The press conference highlighted three main topics, which include selecting and promoting the county’s characteristic dishes, rating local hospitality establishments, and providing direct presentation opportunities for farms and producers.

The Signature Dish is a selection of Harghita County’s distinctive flavours, resulting from professional and community cooperation related to the European Region of Gastronomy 2027 title. The list was compiled based on a questionnaire survey and the joint evaluation of twelve chefs, and includes dishes and desserts reflecting traditions passed down through generations, the county’s cultural diversity, and authentic flavours. The program aims to present the region’s gastronomy uniformly, encourage collaboration between local producers and hospitality establishments, and increase the visibility of local ingredients and dishes.

The Myrmidone (orange butterfly) rating system is directly connected to the Signature Dish program and recognizes hospitality establishments offering a conscious gastronomic offer based on local ingredients and traditional flavours. Requirements for the rating include, among others, collaborating with local producers to include Signature Dish items in the menu, striving to reduce food waste, using ingredients sourced within a 100-kilometer radius, etc. The rating is named after the critically endangered orange butterfly (Colias Myrmidone), which occurs in only three European countries—Poland, Slovakia, and Romania—and in Romania is found only in two areas, including the border of Gheorgheni and Gheorgheni-Sânmărtin, in the Kürücök Valley. Its presence proves that Harghita County’s natural environment remains particularly valuable today. This clean, living environment is not only a heritage to be preserved but also manifests in the quality of local ingredients and the region’s gastronomy.

The Open Farm program offers local farms, agricultural producers, and food processors the opportunity to showcase their values to visitors in an organized and safe way. Participating units receive visitors by prior appointment, allowing them to meet producers directly, gain insight into daily activities, and experience first-hand how local ingredients and products are made. The program guarantees a quality experience and appropriate infrastructure, hygiene, and safety conditions. Open Farm participants will also be partners in the Open Farm weekend, which the coordinator plans to organize twice a year. During these weekends, each Open Farm will host special programs for visitors, thereby strengthening the direct connection between local producers and the public.

The presented programs represent an important milestone in preparations for 2027 and contribute to ensuring that Harghita County’s gastronomic and cultural values are showcased in a coordinated manner both nationally and internationally. Detailed information, criteria, and application forms are available on the Visit Harghita website and app.

European Region of Gastronomy

European Regions of Gastronomy (candidates and awardees), selected and guided by IGCAT, aim to contribute to the quality of life of their citizens by emphasizing the importance of cultural and gastronomic uniqueness, while also:

• Encouraging creativity and gastronomic innovation,
• Providing intellectual nourishment for children and adults through culinary education,
• Improving the quality of sustainable tourism,
• Strengthening circular economies in both urban and rural environments,
• Supporting the well-being and health of communities and the environment.

IGCAT provides the award with the support of international and European institutions. Regions also join the world platform of awarded and candidate Gastronomic Regions to promote long-term benefits, increase international visibility, and support knowledge sharing.

The European Region of Gastronomy title recognizes communities (cities, counties, regions, islands, or countries) that emphasize their gastronomic heritage through community collaboration under the principles of sustainable development. It places particular importance on preserving and protecting local foods, beverages, agricultural products, as well as cultural and natural values.

The title is an acknowledgment that widely promotes the region’s achievements, programs, community cooperation, and responses to future challenges but does not come with a monetary prize.

Members of the Harghita County Consortium:

• Harghita County Council
• Harghita Community Development Association (Visit Harghita)
• Miercurea Ciuc City Hall
• Odorheiu Secuiesc City Hall
• Gheorgheni City Hall
• Sapientia EMTE, Miercurea Ciuc Faculty
• Páva KulinarIQum Association
• Boro Info
• Honline Media (Székely Kitchen and Garden)
• Association of Miercurea Ciuc Hospitality Providers
• Pro Economica Foundation

Ghimeș-Făget hosted a local stakeholder meeting on February 18, 2026, organized within the framework of the CIBioGo – Citizen Participation in Biodiversity Governance (Interreg Europe) project.

The event was of particular importance, as the project has reached the final stage of the learning and interregional exchange process. Based on the international professional consultations and the transfer of good practices carried out in recent months, policy and development proposals have been outlined, which are intended to be integrated into the Master Plan for the Hășmaș Mountains area, developed by the Intercommunity Development Association of the Hășmaș Mountains area.

The aim of the meeting was, on the one hand, to present the amendment proposals grounded in the learning process, and on the other hand, to jointly discuss practical implementation possibilities, with particular regard to biodiversity conservation and strengthening community participation. At the same time, additional development ideas regarding the future of the area have emerged in recent months, which were also reviewed and discussed during the event.

During the discussions, it was emphasized that the area’s greatest value is not only its spectacular mountainous landscape, but the entire living environment and ecosystem that constitute it. Its protection, sustainable use, and promotion can provide a stable foundation for long-term development. Experts highlighted that the Master Plan must be prepared for the impacts of climate change, with particular attention to increasing the resilience of forest stands, supporting natural forest development processes, and strengthening the framework for sustainable tourism.

During the stakeholder consultation, development proposals formulated for different sub-areas were presented, focusing on the expansion of tourism infrastructure, the creation of educational trails and viewpoints, the development of ecotourism routes, as well as the establishment of community and educational facilities. Special attention was given to the development of cycling and hiking routes, the construction of springs and rest areas, and the renovation and sustainable use of attractions related to cultural and natural heritage.

During the consultation, it was also raised that, in addition to modifying the content of the strategic document, it may be necessary to review the related legal and management frameworks in order to ensure that the planned measures can be implemented in practice.

The event contributed to strengthening the long-term, sustainable development directions of the Hășmaș Mountains area, as well as to the active involvement of local communities and stakeholders in the preservation and promotion of biodiversity values.

In the implementation of the CIBioGo project, Harghita County Council participates together with partner institutions representing six European Union regions, coordinated by an Italian lead partner. The project consists of a 36-month main phase, complemented by a 12-month follow-up period. The cooperation, running until February 2026, aims to develop regional policy instruments through the introduction of structured participatory methods, involving citizens and stakeholders in the fields of biodiversity and ecosystem services. Within the project, Harghita County Council targets as a local policy instrument the Master Plan developed by the Intercommunity Development Association of the Hășmaș Mountains area, into which both the professional lessons learned from international exchange and the results of local consultations are incorporated.

Miercurea Ciuc, February 20, 2026.

Discussions on the development of the social economy, the opportunities in Harghita County, and the integration of international good practices into local decisions and programmes took place at a stakeholder meeting held in Miercurea Ciuc at the sewing workshop of the Right Association on February 17, organized by the Harghita County Council.

The meeting was organized within the SECON – Social Economy Regional Policies international project, implemented through the Interreg Europe programme, in which Harghita County Council is a partner. The project aims to make regional policies supporting the social economy more effective and transparent. The work focuses on several areas, including the involvement of stakeholders, increasing the visibility of the social economy, creating a favorable policy and legal environment, improving financing opportunities, as well as strengthening impact measurement and social innovation.

The sixth stakeholder meeting within the project was held at the Right Association, with the participation of representatives of social enterprises, civil society organizations, and public institutions. The civil organization based in Miercurea Ciuc supports the social and labor market integration of disadvantaged groups through its activities and programmes, and serves as a good example of how the social economy can create real opportunities. During the visit, discussions addressed the challenges faced by social economy actors in their daily work, including administrative burdens and financing issues. Participants concluded that the development of the social economy must be a conscious process based on cooperation.

Within the framework of the project, the next international meeting will be held in April 2026 in Mannheim, where the focus will be on monitoring, data-driven decision-making, social innovation, and start-up support. These experiences may also be useful for Harghita County.

Harghita County’s participation in the CIBioGo project meeting in Slovenia

On January 27–28, the thematic and Steering Group meeting of the international project CIBioGo – Citizen Participation in Biodiversity Governance, supported by the Interreg Europe programme, took place in Pokljuka, Slovenia. Harghita County Council was also represented at the event by the designated project team.

The two-day professional programme focused on reviewing the project’s results to date, presenting policy developments, and discussing methodological approaches for their monitoring. Participants paid special attention to how good practices that strengthen community participation can be integrated into regional and local development policy instruments.

The meeting was accompanied by workshops and joint professional consultations, providing an opportunity for experience exchange among partner regions and for jointly rethinking applicable solutions. As part of the programme, a field activity also took place, contributing to the direct understanding of the natural environment and to demonstrating practical approaches to biodiversity management.

The participation of Harghita County Council aligns with the county’s efforts to support the development of strategic documents related to the Hășmaș Mountains area, as well as to actively involve local communities in the preservation of natural values. In the next phase of the project, the focus will be on the local adaptation of good practices.

General information about the project can be found in the following video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8Hj5hKjLzs

Miercurea Ciuc, February 4, 2026.