- STATUTUL UNITĂŢII ADMINISTRATIV-TERITORIALE
- “REGULAMENTELE PRIVIND PROCEDURILE ADMINISTRATIVE”
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- Regulament de organizare și funcționare CJH
- Regulament de ordine interioară
- Dispoziție nr. 125/2024
- Dispoziția nr. 9/2025_ROI – modificare(Program de lucru)
- Dispoziție nr. 125/2024
- Integritate Instituțională
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- HOTĂRÂRILE AUTORITĂȚII DELIBERATIVE
Our internationally presented “Youthmagnet” community space is waiting for you!
Within the European Year of Youth, the Hargita County Council representatives participated in another successful international partner meeting. The European project called Talent Magnet invited its partners to Slovenia, where local good examples and activities were also presented during the workshops and conference between November 7-10.
At the partner meeting, the Hargita County team was happy to report on the recently inaugurated Youth Magnet community space and the organized workshop, which provides young people with the opportunity to talk about their professions, encouraging the audience to follow their dreams.
The primary goal of the project is to support youth, reduce the emigration of talented young workers, and attract and retain talent at the local level. During the running time of the project, not only a county level action plan was completed, but there was also the opportunity to organize a community youth hackathon, ensuring that the young people formulate their needs and problems and find solutions to them together.
This is how the expectation arose to create a youth space that young people could take possession of.
Read more about the inauguration of the YouthMagnet here: https://www.facebook.com/borbolycsaba/videos/423118646496666/
The Hargita County Council welcomes interested parties, teachers, youth organizations, student councils, and associations who would like to use the youth space, a good opportunity to organize workshops, discussions, games, lectures and other programs.
If you are interested, you can apply at [email protected].
Csíkszereda, November 22, 2022.
The youth of Harghita County have a voice that needs to be heard at all levels of governance!
The Future of Talents – The actors of Europe’s Future! event, organized by the Harghita County Council within the European Week of Regions and Cities
The European Year of Youth gave even more voice to events that focused on the development and involvement of young people in formulating and making decisions that shape their future.
The priority of Harghita County Council is to give youth the opportunity to grow personally and professionally, at home, in Harghita County, and thus, the events organized by the institution have the role of identifying the problems and situations they face, but also to involve them in identifying and formulating solutions.
Mr. Borboly Csaba, the President of the County Council and Member of the European Committee of the Regions, together with young people and their representatives, during the workshop entitled Future of Talents – Actors of the Future of Europe, emphasized the importance of young people having a vision, to assume a role and actively participate in the formulation and decision-making process, so that their voice is heard at local, national and European level and that their ideas are included in laws and regulations.
Mr. Farkas András, strategic director of the Pont Group Consulting organization, appreciated that Europe cannot exist without young people and that the way society will transform depends on how we create a future for young people, pointing out that the future of localities is organically linked to what is happening now with young people and as such it is very important that decisions are made with them and for them.
Mr. Fekete Örs, the Director of the Public Service of Mountain Rescue of Harghita County Council, presented to the youth his experience, both in political life, as a local councilor, but also as member of the network of Young Elected Politicians within the CoR, as well as in the activity professional, day-to-day life, encouraging them to push their limits, persevere and seek to increase their resilience by actively engaging in all activities.
Mr. Csala Dénes, data- researcher, discussed the role of artificial intelligence, digitization and the need for responsible behavior so that the place and role of young people in this evolutionary process is identified.
Mr. Bogos Ákos, president of CSTIT (Youth Organization of Ciuc Microregion of Harghita County), spoke about the programs that the organization he leads runs with the aim of reaching young people and supporting them in their personal and professional development, pointing out as important their support in purchasing their first home.
Mr. Cilip Àrpàd, the Director of the Harghita County Development Agency, emphasized the importance of professional training and skills development for young people and the fact that they began to give an increasing role to professional practice, mentioning the programs that the agency runs with the aim of developing young people’s careers.
The conclusion of the event is that the future of Harghita county and Europe will depend on how we all contribute to the well-being of the next generation with our current means and experience and how we invest in young talents.
Furthermore, the European Year of Skills of 2023 will need to take in consideration the challenges and talents of youth from local and regional level, especially those from less developed regions and who have less access to the European decision making forums. The EU needs to bet on the talent of its labour force, to prevent brain drain and to provide training in the right skills to citizens at all stages of their lives, no matter where they live. Without support, the current gap will be greater and we cannot afford to have huge disparities within the EU, therefore young people with no prospect in one country should be supported to not to be forced to move to another country. As local and regional authorities we must bring them closer to the EU institutions, as well as to represent their messages on such level, based on the principle of subsidiarity and of the bottom-up approach.
Young people must be encouraged, involved and supported. How? By providing the space for development, mentoring, and providing funds. Their future requires equal opportunities and equal access; this can be achieved through sustainable methods and preparation for a digital transformation.
Thus, local authorities must link regional development with youth development.
Miercurea Ciuc, 7th of November 2022.
The first round table discussion of the CAPactivities 2022 project took place on the 10th of November in the County Council building in Miercurea-Ciuc
CAPactivities 2022 roundtable discussion
The first roundtable discussion of the CAPactivities 2022 project took place on the 10th of November in the County Council building in Miercurea-Ciuc. The event was attended by small producers, farmers, cooperatives and local authorities.
The first discussion focused mainly on dairy processing, its potential and shortcomings. At the same time, participants discussed how it can bring economic and social benefits, with attention to biodiversity and nature.
Participants also had the opportunity to increase their knowledge of the aspects and measures of the Common Agricultural Policy, thus promoting this policy among farmers and raising their awareness of the potential of agriculture.
An integral part of the event was the exploration of mountain farms and their potential. A funding opportunity for mountain areas is current and provides assistance in three areas. An invitation is issued for the construction of mountain huts, milk collection centres and collection centres focusing on berries, mushrooms, herbs and spices. Dr. Róbert István from the Harghita Veterinary Health and Food Safety Directorate, Dr. Előd Vass from the Harghita County Public Health Directorate and Enikő Both from the Harghita Environmental Protection Agency provided guidance on the practical aspects of the application. At the same time, the competent authorities talked about the permitting process, how it works and possible pitfalls.
In addition, Antal Szabolcs Barabási, Secretary of State, Csaba Könczei, Member of Parliament, Zsolt Romfeld, Director of the Directorate for Agriculture and Rural Development, Csongor László, Director of the Intercommunity Rural Development Association of Harghita County Council, István Becze, President of the Association “Székely Gazdaszervezetek”, and Árpád Cilip, Director of theDevelopment Agency of Harghita County, added professionalism and improved the quality of the event.
Miercurea Ciuc, 10th of November 2022
#IMCAP #CAPactivities
Pilot projects – an integrated approach to education for inclusion
Digitalization of education does not mean online education
On 12th October, within the European Week of Regions and Cities, Harghita County Council organized the event entitled #LocalAction4Education – Pilot project for digital education.
The event was moderated by Gyula Winkler, Member of the European Parliament, with the participation of Ms. Margrethe Vestager Executive Vice President of the European Commission as keynote speaker, as well as with further panelists: Mr. Alpár Ferencz Salamon director of the Teacher`s House of Harghita County, Mr. László Csák expert in European policies, Mr. Daniel Böjte expert in digitalization, Mr. Endre Borsos expert on digitalization of education, and Mr. Juraj Bilic Vice-CEO of the Croatian Academic and Research Network (CARNET).
The purpose of the event was to bring together the good practices, experiences, challenges which contribute to supporting education in all learning environments in order to reduce the digital gap in the less developed regions.
“During the COVID 19 pandemic schools, teachers, students and parents faced a new situation in which the traditional way of education was no longer possible and every entity and family had to find new solutions. For some of them, challenges consisted in organizing education at home, but for many, especially in less developed regions, such as in Harghita County, challenges started with the lack of equipment and internet connection. Harghita County Council took the initiative and established a working group for the digitalization of the education in Harghita County, which is operating with relevant actors and highly rated experts from the field of digital education, aiming primarily at solving urgent requests related to online education.” – added Csaba Borboly, president of the county council.
In order to have a long-term impact, the working group concluded that a holistic, regional, comprehensive and strategic approach is needed and elaborated the DigEdu2030 – Action plan for digital education, which proposes the launch of a pilot project for education digitization in Harghita County.
Margrethe Vestager, Executive Vice President of the European Commission, keynote speaker of the event, welcomed the initiative of the county council to implement a pilot project assuring their support in its implementation, at the same time appreciating that it is impossible to talk about inclusion without mentioning education and it is highly important to ensure access to learning and training for all in order to reduce gaps.
Digitalization of education and digitization in general has become a priority on European and national level, but financing sources/funding options for the implementation of comprehensive and multi-level pilot projects still lacks.
Mr. Alpár Ferencz Salamon director of Teacher`s House of Harghita County appreciated that the well-being of digitization is in tight connection with physical well-being and to reduce inequalities the implementation of such projects is necessary, which provides 21st century conditions.
Mr. Daniel Böjte expert on digitization highlighted the need to change the role of teachers and put the emphasis on learning, digital transformation of education without omitting the emotional component of this process with the aim of educating in the future.
As an example of good practice, Juraj Bilic Vice-CEO of the Croatian Academic and Research Network presented the pilot proiect of Croatia, implemented in two phases, his advice being to invest in robust and modern technologies which do not degrade over time. At the same time he concluded that digitization of education does not mean online education.
Mr. Endre Borsos expert on education digitization appreciated the contribution of Harghita County Council as an active partner in the implementation of several digital projects, such as 7 Smart Steps, Classy application, useful tools both for teachers and students for creating digital contents.
As a result of the event a Cooperation intent was signed between Harghita County Council, Teachers` House of Harghita County and Croatian Academic and Research Network, to find the means to implement the Local action plan for digital education, so that, as Mr. Csaba Borboly appreciated, to develop education in Harghita County in such way all children of all backgrounds to have equal changes to prepare for a digitalized future.
Miercurea Ciuc, 12th October 2022
39 athletes received recognition based on results across multiple competition categories and disciplines
The Equestrian Gala of this year was held in a ceremonial setting on March 18 in Remetea, where equestrian athletes with outstanding performances in the 2025 competition season were awarded. The event, hosted at the Community House, was one of the prestigious gatherings of the county’s equestrian sport, placing athletes’ achievements at the center of attention.
The event was organized by the Harghita County Council, the Harghita County Council’s Rural Development Association, the Remetea Equestrian Club, and the Municipality of Remetea, with the aim of presenting and rewarding athletes’ performances.
Among those present were Lőrinc Nacsa, State Secretary for National Policy of Hungary, Barna-Botond Bíró, President of the Harghita County Council, Marilena Mladin, President of the Romanian Equestrian Federation, Csaba Borboly, President of the Harghita County Council’s Rural Development Association, Elemér Laczkó-Albert, Mayor of Remetea, as well as representatives of equestrian sport at local and national level, coaches, athletes, and invited guests.
A total of 39 athletes received recognition during the Equestrian Gala, with awards granted based on results across several competition categories and disciplines. The recognitions were based on the First Harghita County Show Jumping Championship, the 10th Sekler Regional Show Jumping Championship, and the National Championship Final. In addition, outstanding athletes in dressage, eventing, carriage driving, and horse archery were also awarded.
As host, Elemér Laczkó-Albert, Mayor of Remetea, welcomed the participants, highlighting that the event is both a tribute to the past and a message for the future.
– The relationship between the horse and the Sekler people is not only a tradition but a heritage. The horse was once a working partner, a companion in labor, a comrade on the road, and often a symbol of freedom. Therefore, today is not only an award ceremony, but also pride, a tribute to our past, and a message to the future. The tradition lives on: not in museums, but on the field, in the saddle, and in people’s hearts and souls – emphasized the mayor.
Barna-Botond Bíró, President of the Harghita County Council, underlined in his speech that equestrian sport is not merely competition, but a value system that teaches discipline, perseverance, and responsibility, and provides guidance for the community even in difficult times.
– When a young person chooses equestrian sport, they do not only choose a discipline, but enter an order. They learn how to move forward even when the path is difficult. A rider knows that when reaching difficult terrain, one should not speed up but slow down. This is not a sign of fear, but of responsibility: one must take care of both oneself and the horse, while keeping the goal in mind. This is a lesson for all of us: in difficult situations, we should not amplify the noise or rush, but slow down, focus on the goal, support each other, and make responsible decisions.
He also emphasized the importance of representing the community where decisions are made, both in Bucharest and Budapest, to ensure that decisions serve the interests of the community.
Marilena Mladin, President of the Romanian Equestrian Federation, stressed that the participants were not only attending a ceremonial event, but were part of a community where tradition is actively lived. As she noted, equestrian sport requires discipline, respect, and perseverance, and true performance is built through everyday work. She added that not only results are being celebrated, but also the invisible work and inner strength behind them, and that the future must be built together by strengthening one another.
Lőrinc Nacsa, State Secretary for National Policy of Hungary, highlighted the importance of equestrian traditions and communities, and announced that from March 23, 2026, the Secretariat for National Policy will launch the Carpathian Basin Equestrian Program.
– It is very important that Hungarians are a horse-riding nation, therefore it is a value for us to preserve our equestrian traditions and communities, and to give more and more people the opportunity to connect to them in some way. This is a targeted funding scheme specifically serving equestrian communities, and in recent years we have already seen its results: in young people, in performances, and in the successes coming from Sekler as well.
Every sporting achievement, every award, every such community event makes the entire Hungarian nation stronger – he emphasized.
Csaba Borboly, President of the Harghita County Council’s Rural Development Association, drew attention to the changing role of equestrian sport and its future opportunities.
– Many say that the horse is disappearing from the fields, but it is not the horse that is disappearing, rather the agricultural work carried out with horses is transforming. A quiet but profound transformation is underway, where the working horse is increasingly being replaced by sport, tourism, therapy, and heritage preservation. As he said, equestrian life has a future both in Europe and locally, and the opportunities must be seized and prepared for.
The message of Gyula Dallos, ministerial commissioner, was also read at the event, emphasizing that the horse is a symbol of freedom and unity for Hungarians living in the Carpathian Basin, praising the work of equestrian communities and the importance of the Carpathian Basin Equestrian Program, while wishing further success to the participants.
During the award ceremony, 39 athletes received recognition, reflecting the diversity and development of the county’s equestrian sport.
Awardees – Equestrian Gala 2026
- Sarolt Kolumbán – Astoria Horse Center – show jumping – First Harghita County Show Jumping Championship, Children I Criteria category (90 cm), 1st place – coach: Adél Lakatos
- Franciska Bindea – Remetea Equestrian Club – show jumping – First Harghita County Show Jumping Championship, Children I Criteria category (90 cm), 2nd place; National Championship Final, Children Criteria category (90 cm), 4th place – coach: Sándor Balázs
- Daria Ilisan – Remetea Equestrian Club – show jumping – First Harghita County Show Jumping Championship, Children I Criteria category (90 cm), 3rd place – coach: Sándor Balázs
- Boglárka Bodó – Remetea Equestrian Club – show jumping – First Harghita County Show Jumping Championship, Amateur category (100 cm), 1st place – coach: Sándor Balázs
- Dominik Dombai – Remetea Equestrian Club – show jumping – First Harghita County Show Jumping Championship, Amateur category (100 cm), 2nd place – coach: Sándor Balázs
- Zsófia Nyisztor – Remetea Equestrian Club – show jumping – First Harghita County Show Jumping Championship, Amateur category (100 cm), 3rd place; 10th Sekler Regional Show Jumping Championship (100 cm), 3rd place – coach: Sándor Balázs
- Réka Korodi – Remetea Equestrian Club – show jumping – First Harghita County Show Jumping Championship, Junior category (120 cm), 1st place; National Championship Final, Junior category (130 cm), 5th place – coach: Sándor Balázs
- Vanda Joó – Remetea Equestrian Club – show jumping – First Harghita County Show Jumping Championship, Junior category (120 cm), 2nd place; National Championship Final, Junior category (130 cm), 12th place – coach: Sándor Balázs
- Edina Petréd – Remetea Equestrian Club – show jumping – 10th Sekler Regional Show Jumping Championship (80 cm), 2nd place – coach: Sándor Balázs
- Bernadett Ladó – Csicser Riding Stable – show jumping – 10th Sekler Regional Show Jumping Championship (80 cm), 3rd place – coach: Ábel André
- Jázmin Kovács – Remetea Equestrian Club – show jumping – 10th Sekler Regional Show Jumping Championship (100 cm), 1st place – coach: Sándor Balázs
- Emma Lakatos – Judo Hargita – show jumping – 10th Sekler Regional Show Jumping Championship (100 cm), 2nd place – coach: Dalma Gergely
- Gáspár Petréd – Remetea Equestrian Club – show jumping – 10th Sekler Regional Show Jumping Championship (110 cm), 1st place; National Championship Final, Junior category (130 cm), 10th place; Children’s final (125 cm), 8th place – coach: Sándor Balázs
- Biborka Bocskai – Astoria Horse Center – show jumping – National Championship Final, Junior Elite category (130 cm), 6th place
- Réka Ilyés – Remetea Equestrian Club – show jumping – National Championship Final, Children Criteria category (90 cm), 23rd place – coach: Sándor Balázs
- Leila Szabó – Remetea Equestrian Club – show jumping – Danube Champions Tour, international amateur category (110 cm), 1st place – coach: Sándor Balázs
- Kriszta Kádár – Táltos Equestrian Yard – dressage – Harghita County Dressage Championship, 1st place
- Virág Bartus – Septimia Sports Club – dressage, eventing – Harghita County Dressage Championship, 2nd place; Harghita County Eventing Championship, Prenovice category, 3rd place
- Csaba Hegyi – Táltos Equestrian Yard – dressage – Harghita County Dressage Championship, 3rd place
- Eszter Gábos – Katowice Association – eventing – Harghita County Eventing Championship, Novice Junior category, 1st place
- Katalin Ferencz – Kavalliera Association – eventing – Harghita County Eventing Championship, Prenovice category, 1st place
- Ernő Fejér – Kavalliera Association – eventing – Harghita County Eventing Championship, Prenovice category, 2nd place
- Tibor Bajkó and Ildikó Bajkó – Krigel Sports Club – carriage driving – Romanian Carriage Driving Championship, outstanding results
- László Orosz and István Benedek – Krigel Sports Club – carriage driving – Romanian Carriage Driving Championship, outstanding results
- Romeó Lőrincz – horse archery – Romanian National Final, Adult men’s category, 1st place
- Csongor Bakos – horse archery – Romanian National Final, Adult men’s category, 2nd place
- Levente Karácsony – horse archery – Romanian National Final, Adult men’s category, 3rd place
- Boglárka Bakó – horse archery – Romanian National Final, Adult women’s category, 1st place
- Nóra Török – horse archery – Romanian National Final, Adult women’s category, 2nd place
- Márton Albert – horse archery – Romanian National Final, Youth men’s category, 1st place
- Koppány Csiky Dácz – horse archery – Romanian National Final, Youth men’s category, 2nd place
- Ivett Csiszér – horse archery – Romanian National Final, Youth women’s category, 1st place
- Bernadett Bodor – horse archery – Romanian National Final, Youth women’s category, 2nd place
- Ármin Magor Rácz – horse archery – Romanian National Final, Children boys’ category, 1st place
- Tamás Kovács – horse archery – Romanian National Final, Children boys’ category, 2nd place
- Domán Szalontai – horse archery – Romanian National Final, Children boys’ category, 3rd place
- Virág Lőrincz – horse archery – Romanian National Final, Children girls’ category, 1st place
- Biborka Mátyás Ambrus – horse archery – Romanian National Final, Children girls’ category, 2nd place
- Dorka András – horse archery – Romanian National Final, Children girls’ category, 3rd place
Remetea, March 19, 2026.
The representative of the Embassy of Norway in Romania was received by Bíró Barna-Botond
Tor Martin Møller, representative of the Embassy of Norway in Romania, was received on March 18 by Bíró Barna-Botond, President of the Harghita County Council, at the temporary headquarters of the County Council.
During the meeting, they discussed the directions of regional development, cross-border cooperation, as well as the role of education, youth, and cultural development in building a strong community. Such meetings provide an opportunity for the exchange of experience and for strengthening our international relations, for the benefit of our communities – stated Bíró Barna-Botond.
How are young people’s careers supported in Austria?
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.
CALL FOR APPLICATIONS – World Food Gift Challenge 2026
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)
The professional visit organized under the EASI and AVETE projects served the preparation of student mobility programmes
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.
Applications now open for the Myrmidone Certification and Open Farm Program
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.
Marcsi Borbás becomes Honorary Ambassador of Harghita County
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.
Harghita County prepares for the 2027 Gastronomy Year involving local 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
Stakeholder meeting on the development directions of the Hășmaș Mountains area within the framework of the CIBioGo project
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.
39 athletes received recognition based on results across multiple competition categories and disciplines
The Equestrian Gala of this year was held in a ceremonial setting on March 18 in Remetea, where equestrian athletes with outstanding performances in the 2025 competition season were awarded. The event, hosted at the Community House, was one of the prestigious gatherings of the county’s equestrian sport, placing athletes’ achievements at the center of attention.
The event was organized by the Harghita County Council, the Harghita County Council’s Rural Development Association, the Remetea Equestrian Club, and the Municipality of Remetea, with the aim of presenting and rewarding athletes’ performances.
Among those present were Lőrinc Nacsa, State Secretary for National Policy of Hungary, Barna-Botond Bíró, President of the Harghita County Council, Marilena Mladin, President of the Romanian Equestrian Federation, Csaba Borboly, President of the Harghita County Council’s Rural Development Association, Elemér Laczkó-Albert, Mayor of Remetea, as well as representatives of equestrian sport at local and national level, coaches, athletes, and invited guests.
A total of 39 athletes received recognition during the Equestrian Gala, with awards granted based on results across several competition categories and disciplines. The recognitions were based on the First Harghita County Show Jumping Championship, the 10th Sekler Regional Show Jumping Championship, and the National Championship Final. In addition, outstanding athletes in dressage, eventing, carriage driving, and horse archery were also awarded.
As host, Elemér Laczkó-Albert, Mayor of Remetea, welcomed the participants, highlighting that the event is both a tribute to the past and a message for the future.
– The relationship between the horse and the Sekler people is not only a tradition but a heritage. The horse was once a working partner, a companion in labor, a comrade on the road, and often a symbol of freedom. Therefore, today is not only an award ceremony, but also pride, a tribute to our past, and a message to the future. The tradition lives on: not in museums, but on the field, in the saddle, and in people’s hearts and souls – emphasized the mayor.
Barna-Botond Bíró, President of the Harghita County Council, underlined in his speech that equestrian sport is not merely competition, but a value system that teaches discipline, perseverance, and responsibility, and provides guidance for the community even in difficult times.
– When a young person chooses equestrian sport, they do not only choose a discipline, but enter an order. They learn how to move forward even when the path is difficult. A rider knows that when reaching difficult terrain, one should not speed up but slow down. This is not a sign of fear, but of responsibility: one must take care of both oneself and the horse, while keeping the goal in mind. This is a lesson for all of us: in difficult situations, we should not amplify the noise or rush, but slow down, focus on the goal, support each other, and make responsible decisions.
He also emphasized the importance of representing the community where decisions are made, both in Bucharest and Budapest, to ensure that decisions serve the interests of the community.
Marilena Mladin, President of the Romanian Equestrian Federation, stressed that the participants were not only attending a ceremonial event, but were part of a community where tradition is actively lived. As she noted, equestrian sport requires discipline, respect, and perseverance, and true performance is built through everyday work. She added that not only results are being celebrated, but also the invisible work and inner strength behind them, and that the future must be built together by strengthening one another.
Lőrinc Nacsa, State Secretary for National Policy of Hungary, highlighted the importance of equestrian traditions and communities, and announced that from March 23, 2026, the Secretariat for National Policy will launch the Carpathian Basin Equestrian Program.
– It is very important that Hungarians are a horse-riding nation, therefore it is a value for us to preserve our equestrian traditions and communities, and to give more and more people the opportunity to connect to them in some way. This is a targeted funding scheme specifically serving equestrian communities, and in recent years we have already seen its results: in young people, in performances, and in the successes coming from Sekler as well.
Every sporting achievement, every award, every such community event makes the entire Hungarian nation stronger – he emphasized.
Csaba Borboly, President of the Harghita County Council’s Rural Development Association, drew attention to the changing role of equestrian sport and its future opportunities.
– Many say that the horse is disappearing from the fields, but it is not the horse that is disappearing, rather the agricultural work carried out with horses is transforming. A quiet but profound transformation is underway, where the working horse is increasingly being replaced by sport, tourism, therapy, and heritage preservation. As he said, equestrian life has a future both in Europe and locally, and the opportunities must be seized and prepared for.
The message of Gyula Dallos, ministerial commissioner, was also read at the event, emphasizing that the horse is a symbol of freedom and unity for Hungarians living in the Carpathian Basin, praising the work of equestrian communities and the importance of the Carpathian Basin Equestrian Program, while wishing further success to the participants.
During the award ceremony, 39 athletes received recognition, reflecting the diversity and development of the county’s equestrian sport.
Awardees – Equestrian Gala 2026
- Sarolt Kolumbán – Astoria Horse Center – show jumping – First Harghita County Show Jumping Championship, Children I Criteria category (90 cm), 1st place – coach: Adél Lakatos
- Franciska Bindea – Remetea Equestrian Club – show jumping – First Harghita County Show Jumping Championship, Children I Criteria category (90 cm), 2nd place; National Championship Final, Children Criteria category (90 cm), 4th place – coach: Sándor Balázs
- Daria Ilisan – Remetea Equestrian Club – show jumping – First Harghita County Show Jumping Championship, Children I Criteria category (90 cm), 3rd place – coach: Sándor Balázs
- Boglárka Bodó – Remetea Equestrian Club – show jumping – First Harghita County Show Jumping Championship, Amateur category (100 cm), 1st place – coach: Sándor Balázs
- Dominik Dombai – Remetea Equestrian Club – show jumping – First Harghita County Show Jumping Championship, Amateur category (100 cm), 2nd place – coach: Sándor Balázs
- Zsófia Nyisztor – Remetea Equestrian Club – show jumping – First Harghita County Show Jumping Championship, Amateur category (100 cm), 3rd place; 10th Sekler Regional Show Jumping Championship (100 cm), 3rd place – coach: Sándor Balázs
- Réka Korodi – Remetea Equestrian Club – show jumping – First Harghita County Show Jumping Championship, Junior category (120 cm), 1st place; National Championship Final, Junior category (130 cm), 5th place – coach: Sándor Balázs
- Vanda Joó – Remetea Equestrian Club – show jumping – First Harghita County Show Jumping Championship, Junior category (120 cm), 2nd place; National Championship Final, Junior category (130 cm), 12th place – coach: Sándor Balázs
- Edina Petréd – Remetea Equestrian Club – show jumping – 10th Sekler Regional Show Jumping Championship (80 cm), 2nd place – coach: Sándor Balázs
- Bernadett Ladó – Csicser Riding Stable – show jumping – 10th Sekler Regional Show Jumping Championship (80 cm), 3rd place – coach: Ábel André
- Jázmin Kovács – Remetea Equestrian Club – show jumping – 10th Sekler Regional Show Jumping Championship (100 cm), 1st place – coach: Sándor Balázs
- Emma Lakatos – Judo Hargita – show jumping – 10th Sekler Regional Show Jumping Championship (100 cm), 2nd place – coach: Dalma Gergely
- Gáspár Petréd – Remetea Equestrian Club – show jumping – 10th Sekler Regional Show Jumping Championship (110 cm), 1st place; National Championship Final, Junior category (130 cm), 10th place; Children’s final (125 cm), 8th place – coach: Sándor Balázs
- Biborka Bocskai – Astoria Horse Center – show jumping – National Championship Final, Junior Elite category (130 cm), 6th place
- Réka Ilyés – Remetea Equestrian Club – show jumping – National Championship Final, Children Criteria category (90 cm), 23rd place – coach: Sándor Balázs
- Leila Szabó – Remetea Equestrian Club – show jumping – Danube Champions Tour, international amateur category (110 cm), 1st place – coach: Sándor Balázs
- Kriszta Kádár – Táltos Equestrian Yard – dressage – Harghita County Dressage Championship, 1st place
- Virág Bartus – Septimia Sports Club – dressage, eventing – Harghita County Dressage Championship, 2nd place; Harghita County Eventing Championship, Prenovice category, 3rd place
- Csaba Hegyi – Táltos Equestrian Yard – dressage – Harghita County Dressage Championship, 3rd place
- Eszter Gábos – Katowice Association – eventing – Harghita County Eventing Championship, Novice Junior category, 1st place
- Katalin Ferencz – Kavalliera Association – eventing – Harghita County Eventing Championship, Prenovice category, 1st place
- Ernő Fejér – Kavalliera Association – eventing – Harghita County Eventing Championship, Prenovice category, 2nd place
- Tibor Bajkó and Ildikó Bajkó – Krigel Sports Club – carriage driving – Romanian Carriage Driving Championship, outstanding results
- László Orosz and István Benedek – Krigel Sports Club – carriage driving – Romanian Carriage Driving Championship, outstanding results
- Romeó Lőrincz – horse archery – Romanian National Final, Adult men’s category, 1st place
- Csongor Bakos – horse archery – Romanian National Final, Adult men’s category, 2nd place
- Levente Karácsony – horse archery – Romanian National Final, Adult men’s category, 3rd place
- Boglárka Bakó – horse archery – Romanian National Final, Adult women’s category, 1st place
- Nóra Török – horse archery – Romanian National Final, Adult women’s category, 2nd place
- Márton Albert – horse archery – Romanian National Final, Youth men’s category, 1st place
- Koppány Csiky Dácz – horse archery – Romanian National Final, Youth men’s category, 2nd place
- Ivett Csiszér – horse archery – Romanian National Final, Youth women’s category, 1st place
- Bernadett Bodor – horse archery – Romanian National Final, Youth women’s category, 2nd place
- Ármin Magor Rácz – horse archery – Romanian National Final, Children boys’ category, 1st place
- Tamás Kovács – horse archery – Romanian National Final, Children boys’ category, 2nd place
- Domán Szalontai – horse archery – Romanian National Final, Children boys’ category, 3rd place
- Virág Lőrincz – horse archery – Romanian National Final, Children girls’ category, 1st place
- Biborka Mátyás Ambrus – horse archery – Romanian National Final, Children girls’ category, 2nd place
- Dorka András – horse archery – Romanian National Final, Children girls’ category, 3rd place
Remetea, March 19, 2026.
The representative of the Embassy of Norway in Romania was received by Bíró Barna-Botond
Tor Martin Møller, representative of the Embassy of Norway in Romania, was received on March 18 by Bíró Barna-Botond, President of the Harghita County Council, at the temporary headquarters of the County Council.
During the meeting, they discussed the directions of regional development, cross-border cooperation, as well as the role of education, youth, and cultural development in building a strong community. Such meetings provide an opportunity for the exchange of experience and for strengthening our international relations, for the benefit of our communities – stated Bíró Barna-Botond.
How are young people’s careers supported in Austria?
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.
CALL FOR APPLICATIONS – World Food Gift Challenge 2026
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)
The professional visit organized under the EASI and AVETE projects served the preparation of student mobility programmes
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.
Applications now open for the Myrmidone Certification and Open Farm Program
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.
Marcsi Borbás becomes Honorary Ambassador of Harghita County
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.
Harghita County prepares for the 2027 Gastronomy Year involving local 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
Stakeholder meeting on the development directions of the Hășmaș Mountains area within the framework of the CIBioGo project
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.
Women at the forefront of Climate Action: The closing meeting of the Village Verve Project held in Miercurea Ciuc
From 13 to 16 October 2026, the eighth transnational partner meeting of the Village Verve – “Women at the Forefront of Climate and Development” project was held in Miercurea Ciuc and several locations across Harghita County. The WP8 event, entitled “Celebrating Women’s Impact – Recognizing Success in Climate Action,” focused on recognizing the achievements of women actively engaged in climate action, exchanging experiences, and showcasing initiatives that support the sustainable development of rural communities.
The international meeting brought together project partners from eight countries – Spain, Cyprus, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Portugal, Romania and Slovenia – to exchange experiences and present their achievements and good practices in climate action and sustainable rural development. As part of the “Climate Impact Insights” knowledge-sharing forum, participants presented their project activities and climate action initiatives, as well as the role of women in local communities, jointly exploring solutions that support sustainable development.
The good practices presented included discussions on the impacts of climate change in Harghita County and sustainable business initiatives connecting local producers. Ildikó Molnár, owner of Doboz Shop, presented the Doboz initiative, which focuses on cooperation among local producers and sustainable operations. The programme also featured the Food Savers project, which highlights the importance of preventing food waste and encourages more conscious resource use.
During field visits, participants explored the natural heritage of Lake Saint Ana and the Mohos Peat Bog, learning about the management of the protected area, biodiversity conservation and opportunities for sustainable tourism. Further study visits showcased women’s entrepreneurship and product development based on local ingredients through the example of RibON, while a visit to Zsigmond Malom Inn highlighted the preservation of cultural heritage, the development of family businesses and the importance of community building.
One of the key events of the project meeting was the Village Verve – Climate Heroines Gala, during which the partners recognized the contributions of inspiring women nominated by the partner countries for their outstanding work in climate action within rural communities. The gala also featured a presentation of the Earth Mentor programme, delivered to participants by Melinda Dobos, County Manager. The presentation provided an opportunity to share sustainability-related initiatives and experiences, in line with the event’s environmental protection and community development objectives.
As part of the gala, the Climate Heroine Awards were also presented, recognizing the work of women role models from eight countries. Cyprus was represented by Anna Christodoulou, Latvia by Aija Dundure, Slovenia by Nataša Majcen, Italy by Mila Bukovcic, Lithuania by Kristina Šiožienė, Portugal by Vera Lima, Spain by Gloria Molina Calvo, and Romania by Szilvia Bencze. The honorees were recognized for their exemplary work in rural communities and their contributions to climate action, sustainable development, and the empowerment of local communities.
The two-day meeting provided representatives from the partner countries with an opportunity to exchange experiences, learn about good practices, and strengthen international cooperation. The programme brought together nature conservation, the sustainability of local economies, and women’s engagement in community life, contributing to the shared objectives of the Village Verve project.
About the Village Verve project
The Village Verve – “Women at the Forefront of Climate and Development” project highlights the role of women living in rural areas in climate action and community development. Through an international partnership, the project promotes the exchange of experiences, the sharing of local good practices, and the recognition of women’s climate action initiatives.
The event was organized with the support of Harghita County Council. The project is funded by the European Union under the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values (CERV) Programme.
Miercurea Ciuc, 20th of October 2026
Women at the forefront of Climate Action: The closing meeting of the Village Verve Project held in Miercurea Ciuc
From 13 to 16 October 2026, the eighth transnational partner meeting of the Village Verve – “Women at the Forefront of Climate and Development” project was held in Miercurea Ciuc and several locations across Harghita County. The WP8 event, entitled “Celebrating Women’s Impact – Recognizing Success in Climate Action,” focused on recognizing the achievements of women actively engaged in climate action, exchanging experiences, and showcasing initiatives that support the sustainable development of rural communities.
The international meeting brought together project partners from eight countries – Spain, Cyprus, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Portugal, Romania and Slovenia – to exchange experiences and present their achievements and good practices in climate action and sustainable rural development. As part of the “Climate Impact Insights” knowledge-sharing forum, participants presented their project activities and climate action initiatives, as well as the role of women in local communities, jointly exploring solutions that support sustainable development.
The good practices presented included discussions on the impacts of climate change in Harghita County and sustainable business initiatives connecting local producers. Ildikó Molnár, owner of Doboz Shop, presented the Doboz initiative, which focuses on cooperation among local producers and sustainable operations. The programme also featured the Food Savers project, which highlights the importance of preventing food waste and encourages more conscious resource use.
During field visits, participants explored the natural heritage of Lake Saint Ana and the Mohos Peat Bog, learning about the management of the protected area, biodiversity conservation and opportunities for sustainable tourism. Further study visits showcased women’s entrepreneurship and product development based on local ingredients through the example of RibON, while a visit to Zsigmond Malom Inn highlighted the preservation of cultural heritage, the development of family businesses and the importance of community building.
One of the key events of the project meeting was the Village Verve – Climate Heroines Gala, during which the partners recognized the contributions of inspiring women nominated by the partner countries for their outstanding work in climate action within rural communities. The gala also featured a presentation of the Earth Mentor programme, delivered to participants by Melinda Dobos, County Manager. The presentation provided an opportunity to share sustainability-related initiatives and experiences, in line with the event’s environmental protection and community development objectives.
As part of the gala, the Climate Heroine Awards were also presented, recognizing the work of women role models from eight countries. Cyprus was represented by Anna Christodoulou, Latvia by Aija Dundure, Slovenia by Nataša Majcen, Italy by Mila Bukovcic, Lithuania by Kristina Šiožienė, Portugal by Vera Lima, Spain by Gloria Molina Calvo, and Romania by Szilvia Bencze. The honorees were recognized for their exemplary work in rural communities and their contributions to climate action, sustainable development, and the empowerment of local communities.
The two-day meeting provided representatives from the partner countries with an opportunity to exchange experiences, learn about good practices, and strengthen international cooperation. The programme brought together nature conservation, the sustainability of local economies, and women’s engagement in community life, contributing to the shared objectives of the Village Verve project.
About the Village Verve project
The Village Verve – “Women at the Forefront of Climate and Development” project highlights the role of women living in rural areas in climate action and community development. Through an international partnership, the project promotes the exchange of experiences, the sharing of local good practices, and the recognition of women’s climate action initiatives.
The event was organized with the support of Harghita County Council. The project is funded by the European Union under the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values (CERV) Programme.
Miercurea Ciuc, 20th of October 2026
39 athletes received recognition based on results across multiple competition categories and disciplines
The Equestrian Gala of this year was held in a ceremonial setting on March 18 in Remetea, where equestrian athletes with outstanding performances in the 2025 competition season were awarded. The event, hosted at the Community House, was one of the prestigious gatherings of the county’s equestrian sport, placing athletes’ achievements at the center of attention.
The event was organized by the Harghita County Council, the Harghita County Council’s Rural Development Association, the Remetea Equestrian Club, and the Municipality of Remetea, with the aim of presenting and rewarding athletes’ performances.
Among those present were Lőrinc Nacsa, State Secretary for National Policy of Hungary, Barna-Botond Bíró, President of the Harghita County Council, Marilena Mladin, President of the Romanian Equestrian Federation, Csaba Borboly, President of the Harghita County Council’s Rural Development Association, Elemér Laczkó-Albert, Mayor of Remetea, as well as representatives of equestrian sport at local and national level, coaches, athletes, and invited guests.
A total of 39 athletes received recognition during the Equestrian Gala, with awards granted based on results across several competition categories and disciplines. The recognitions were based on the First Harghita County Show Jumping Championship, the 10th Sekler Regional Show Jumping Championship, and the National Championship Final. In addition, outstanding athletes in dressage, eventing, carriage driving, and horse archery were also awarded.
As host, Elemér Laczkó-Albert, Mayor of Remetea, welcomed the participants, highlighting that the event is both a tribute to the past and a message for the future.
– The relationship between the horse and the Sekler people is not only a tradition but a heritage. The horse was once a working partner, a companion in labor, a comrade on the road, and often a symbol of freedom. Therefore, today is not only an award ceremony, but also pride, a tribute to our past, and a message to the future. The tradition lives on: not in museums, but on the field, in the saddle, and in people’s hearts and souls – emphasized the mayor.
Barna-Botond Bíró, President of the Harghita County Council, underlined in his speech that equestrian sport is not merely competition, but a value system that teaches discipline, perseverance, and responsibility, and provides guidance for the community even in difficult times.
– When a young person chooses equestrian sport, they do not only choose a discipline, but enter an order. They learn how to move forward even when the path is difficult. A rider knows that when reaching difficult terrain, one should not speed up but slow down. This is not a sign of fear, but of responsibility: one must take care of both oneself and the horse, while keeping the goal in mind. This is a lesson for all of us: in difficult situations, we should not amplify the noise or rush, but slow down, focus on the goal, support each other, and make responsible decisions.
He also emphasized the importance of representing the community where decisions are made, both in Bucharest and Budapest, to ensure that decisions serve the interests of the community.
Marilena Mladin, President of the Romanian Equestrian Federation, stressed that the participants were not only attending a ceremonial event, but were part of a community where tradition is actively lived. As she noted, equestrian sport requires discipline, respect, and perseverance, and true performance is built through everyday work. She added that not only results are being celebrated, but also the invisible work and inner strength behind them, and that the future must be built together by strengthening one another.
Lőrinc Nacsa, State Secretary for National Policy of Hungary, highlighted the importance of equestrian traditions and communities, and announced that from March 23, 2026, the Secretariat for National Policy will launch the Carpathian Basin Equestrian Program.
– It is very important that Hungarians are a horse-riding nation, therefore it is a value for us to preserve our equestrian traditions and communities, and to give more and more people the opportunity to connect to them in some way. This is a targeted funding scheme specifically serving equestrian communities, and in recent years we have already seen its results: in young people, in performances, and in the successes coming from Sekler as well.
Every sporting achievement, every award, every such community event makes the entire Hungarian nation stronger – he emphasized.
Csaba Borboly, President of the Harghita County Council’s Rural Development Association, drew attention to the changing role of equestrian sport and its future opportunities.
– Many say that the horse is disappearing from the fields, but it is not the horse that is disappearing, rather the agricultural work carried out with horses is transforming. A quiet but profound transformation is underway, where the working horse is increasingly being replaced by sport, tourism, therapy, and heritage preservation. As he said, equestrian life has a future both in Europe and locally, and the opportunities must be seized and prepared for.
The message of Gyula Dallos, ministerial commissioner, was also read at the event, emphasizing that the horse is a symbol of freedom and unity for Hungarians living in the Carpathian Basin, praising the work of equestrian communities and the importance of the Carpathian Basin Equestrian Program, while wishing further success to the participants.
During the award ceremony, 39 athletes received recognition, reflecting the diversity and development of the county’s equestrian sport.
Awardees – Equestrian Gala 2026
- Sarolt Kolumbán – Astoria Horse Center – show jumping – First Harghita County Show Jumping Championship, Children I Criteria category (90 cm), 1st place – coach: Adél Lakatos
- Franciska Bindea – Remetea Equestrian Club – show jumping – First Harghita County Show Jumping Championship, Children I Criteria category (90 cm), 2nd place; National Championship Final, Children Criteria category (90 cm), 4th place – coach: Sándor Balázs
- Daria Ilisan – Remetea Equestrian Club – show jumping – First Harghita County Show Jumping Championship, Children I Criteria category (90 cm), 3rd place – coach: Sándor Balázs
- Boglárka Bodó – Remetea Equestrian Club – show jumping – First Harghita County Show Jumping Championship, Amateur category (100 cm), 1st place – coach: Sándor Balázs
- Dominik Dombai – Remetea Equestrian Club – show jumping – First Harghita County Show Jumping Championship, Amateur category (100 cm), 2nd place – coach: Sándor Balázs
- Zsófia Nyisztor – Remetea Equestrian Club – show jumping – First Harghita County Show Jumping Championship, Amateur category (100 cm), 3rd place; 10th Sekler Regional Show Jumping Championship (100 cm), 3rd place – coach: Sándor Balázs
- Réka Korodi – Remetea Equestrian Club – show jumping – First Harghita County Show Jumping Championship, Junior category (120 cm), 1st place; National Championship Final, Junior category (130 cm), 5th place – coach: Sándor Balázs
- Vanda Joó – Remetea Equestrian Club – show jumping – First Harghita County Show Jumping Championship, Junior category (120 cm), 2nd place; National Championship Final, Junior category (130 cm), 12th place – coach: Sándor Balázs
- Edina Petréd – Remetea Equestrian Club – show jumping – 10th Sekler Regional Show Jumping Championship (80 cm), 2nd place – coach: Sándor Balázs
- Bernadett Ladó – Csicser Riding Stable – show jumping – 10th Sekler Regional Show Jumping Championship (80 cm), 3rd place – coach: Ábel André
- Jázmin Kovács – Remetea Equestrian Club – show jumping – 10th Sekler Regional Show Jumping Championship (100 cm), 1st place – coach: Sándor Balázs
- Emma Lakatos – Judo Hargita – show jumping – 10th Sekler Regional Show Jumping Championship (100 cm), 2nd place – coach: Dalma Gergely
- Gáspár Petréd – Remetea Equestrian Club – show jumping – 10th Sekler Regional Show Jumping Championship (110 cm), 1st place; National Championship Final, Junior category (130 cm), 10th place; Children’s final (125 cm), 8th place – coach: Sándor Balázs
- Biborka Bocskai – Astoria Horse Center – show jumping – National Championship Final, Junior Elite category (130 cm), 6th place
- Réka Ilyés – Remetea Equestrian Club – show jumping – National Championship Final, Children Criteria category (90 cm), 23rd place – coach: Sándor Balázs
- Leila Szabó – Remetea Equestrian Club – show jumping – Danube Champions Tour, international amateur category (110 cm), 1st place – coach: Sándor Balázs
- Kriszta Kádár – Táltos Equestrian Yard – dressage – Harghita County Dressage Championship, 1st place
- Virág Bartus – Septimia Sports Club – dressage, eventing – Harghita County Dressage Championship, 2nd place; Harghita County Eventing Championship, Prenovice category, 3rd place
- Csaba Hegyi – Táltos Equestrian Yard – dressage – Harghita County Dressage Championship, 3rd place
- Eszter Gábos – Katowice Association – eventing – Harghita County Eventing Championship, Novice Junior category, 1st place
- Katalin Ferencz – Kavalliera Association – eventing – Harghita County Eventing Championship, Prenovice category, 1st place
- Ernő Fejér – Kavalliera Association – eventing – Harghita County Eventing Championship, Prenovice category, 2nd place
- Tibor Bajkó and Ildikó Bajkó – Krigel Sports Club – carriage driving – Romanian Carriage Driving Championship, outstanding results
- László Orosz and István Benedek – Krigel Sports Club – carriage driving – Romanian Carriage Driving Championship, outstanding results
- Romeó Lőrincz – horse archery – Romanian National Final, Adult men’s category, 1st place
- Csongor Bakos – horse archery – Romanian National Final, Adult men’s category, 2nd place
- Levente Karácsony – horse archery – Romanian National Final, Adult men’s category, 3rd place
- Boglárka Bakó – horse archery – Romanian National Final, Adult women’s category, 1st place
- Nóra Török – horse archery – Romanian National Final, Adult women’s category, 2nd place
- Márton Albert – horse archery – Romanian National Final, Youth men’s category, 1st place
- Koppány Csiky Dácz – horse archery – Romanian National Final, Youth men’s category, 2nd place
- Ivett Csiszér – horse archery – Romanian National Final, Youth women’s category, 1st place
- Bernadett Bodor – horse archery – Romanian National Final, Youth women’s category, 2nd place
- Ármin Magor Rácz – horse archery – Romanian National Final, Children boys’ category, 1st place
- Tamás Kovács – horse archery – Romanian National Final, Children boys’ category, 2nd place
- Domán Szalontai – horse archery – Romanian National Final, Children boys’ category, 3rd place
- Virág Lőrincz – horse archery – Romanian National Final, Children girls’ category, 1st place
- Biborka Mátyás Ambrus – horse archery – Romanian National Final, Children girls’ category, 2nd place
- Dorka András – horse archery – Romanian National Final, Children girls’ category, 3rd place
Remetea, March 19, 2026.
The representative of the Embassy of Norway in Romania was received by Bíró Barna-Botond
Tor Martin Møller, representative of the Embassy of Norway in Romania, was received on March 18 by Bíró Barna-Botond, President of the Harghita County Council, at the temporary headquarters of the County Council.
During the meeting, they discussed the directions of regional development, cross-border cooperation, as well as the role of education, youth, and cultural development in building a strong community. Such meetings provide an opportunity for the exchange of experience and for strengthening our international relations, for the benefit of our communities – stated Bíró Barna-Botond.
How are young people’s careers supported in Austria?
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.
CALL FOR APPLICATIONS – World Food Gift Challenge 2026
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)
The professional visit organized under the EASI and AVETE projects served the preparation of student mobility programmes
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.
Applications now open for the Myrmidone Certification and Open Farm Program
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.
Marcsi Borbás becomes Honorary Ambassador of Harghita County
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.
Harghita County prepares for the 2027 Gastronomy Year involving local 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
Stakeholder meeting on the development directions of the Hășmaș Mountains area within the framework of the CIBioGo project
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.
39 athletes received recognition based on results across multiple competition categories and disciplines
The Equestrian Gala of this year was held in a ceremonial setting on March 18 in Remetea, where equestrian athletes with outstanding performances in the 2025 competition season were awarded. The event, hosted at the Community House, was one of the prestigious gatherings of the county’s equestrian sport, placing athletes’ achievements at the center of attention.
The event was organized by the Harghita County Council, the Harghita County Council’s Rural Development Association, the Remetea Equestrian Club, and the Municipality of Remetea, with the aim of presenting and rewarding athletes’ performances.
Among those present were Lőrinc Nacsa, State Secretary for National Policy of Hungary, Barna-Botond Bíró, President of the Harghita County Council, Marilena Mladin, President of the Romanian Equestrian Federation, Csaba Borboly, President of the Harghita County Council’s Rural Development Association, Elemér Laczkó-Albert, Mayor of Remetea, as well as representatives of equestrian sport at local and national level, coaches, athletes, and invited guests.
A total of 39 athletes received recognition during the Equestrian Gala, with awards granted based on results across several competition categories and disciplines. The recognitions were based on the First Harghita County Show Jumping Championship, the 10th Sekler Regional Show Jumping Championship, and the National Championship Final. In addition, outstanding athletes in dressage, eventing, carriage driving, and horse archery were also awarded.
As host, Elemér Laczkó-Albert, Mayor of Remetea, welcomed the participants, highlighting that the event is both a tribute to the past and a message for the future.
– The relationship between the horse and the Sekler people is not only a tradition but a heritage. The horse was once a working partner, a companion in labor, a comrade on the road, and often a symbol of freedom. Therefore, today is not only an award ceremony, but also pride, a tribute to our past, and a message to the future. The tradition lives on: not in museums, but on the field, in the saddle, and in people’s hearts and souls – emphasized the mayor.
Barna-Botond Bíró, President of the Harghita County Council, underlined in his speech that equestrian sport is not merely competition, but a value system that teaches discipline, perseverance, and responsibility, and provides guidance for the community even in difficult times.
– When a young person chooses equestrian sport, they do not only choose a discipline, but enter an order. They learn how to move forward even when the path is difficult. A rider knows that when reaching difficult terrain, one should not speed up but slow down. This is not a sign of fear, but of responsibility: one must take care of both oneself and the horse, while keeping the goal in mind. This is a lesson for all of us: in difficult situations, we should not amplify the noise or rush, but slow down, focus on the goal, support each other, and make responsible decisions.
He also emphasized the importance of representing the community where decisions are made, both in Bucharest and Budapest, to ensure that decisions serve the interests of the community.
Marilena Mladin, President of the Romanian Equestrian Federation, stressed that the participants were not only attending a ceremonial event, but were part of a community where tradition is actively lived. As she noted, equestrian sport requires discipline, respect, and perseverance, and true performance is built through everyday work. She added that not only results are being celebrated, but also the invisible work and inner strength behind them, and that the future must be built together by strengthening one another.
Lőrinc Nacsa, State Secretary for National Policy of Hungary, highlighted the importance of equestrian traditions and communities, and announced that from March 23, 2026, the Secretariat for National Policy will launch the Carpathian Basin Equestrian Program.
– It is very important that Hungarians are a horse-riding nation, therefore it is a value for us to preserve our equestrian traditions and communities, and to give more and more people the opportunity to connect to them in some way. This is a targeted funding scheme specifically serving equestrian communities, and in recent years we have already seen its results: in young people, in performances, and in the successes coming from Sekler as well.
Every sporting achievement, every award, every such community event makes the entire Hungarian nation stronger – he emphasized.
Csaba Borboly, President of the Harghita County Council’s Rural Development Association, drew attention to the changing role of equestrian sport and its future opportunities.
– Many say that the horse is disappearing from the fields, but it is not the horse that is disappearing, rather the agricultural work carried out with horses is transforming. A quiet but profound transformation is underway, where the working horse is increasingly being replaced by sport, tourism, therapy, and heritage preservation. As he said, equestrian life has a future both in Europe and locally, and the opportunities must be seized and prepared for.
The message of Gyula Dallos, ministerial commissioner, was also read at the event, emphasizing that the horse is a symbol of freedom and unity for Hungarians living in the Carpathian Basin, praising the work of equestrian communities and the importance of the Carpathian Basin Equestrian Program, while wishing further success to the participants.
During the award ceremony, 39 athletes received recognition, reflecting the diversity and development of the county’s equestrian sport.
Awardees – Equestrian Gala 2026
- Sarolt Kolumbán – Astoria Horse Center – show jumping – First Harghita County Show Jumping Championship, Children I Criteria category (90 cm), 1st place – coach: Adél Lakatos
- Franciska Bindea – Remetea Equestrian Club – show jumping – First Harghita County Show Jumping Championship, Children I Criteria category (90 cm), 2nd place; National Championship Final, Children Criteria category (90 cm), 4th place – coach: Sándor Balázs
- Daria Ilisan – Remetea Equestrian Club – show jumping – First Harghita County Show Jumping Championship, Children I Criteria category (90 cm), 3rd place – coach: Sándor Balázs
- Boglárka Bodó – Remetea Equestrian Club – show jumping – First Harghita County Show Jumping Championship, Amateur category (100 cm), 1st place – coach: Sándor Balázs
- Dominik Dombai – Remetea Equestrian Club – show jumping – First Harghita County Show Jumping Championship, Amateur category (100 cm), 2nd place – coach: Sándor Balázs
- Zsófia Nyisztor – Remetea Equestrian Club – show jumping – First Harghita County Show Jumping Championship, Amateur category (100 cm), 3rd place; 10th Sekler Regional Show Jumping Championship (100 cm), 3rd place – coach: Sándor Balázs
- Réka Korodi – Remetea Equestrian Club – show jumping – First Harghita County Show Jumping Championship, Junior category (120 cm), 1st place; National Championship Final, Junior category (130 cm), 5th place – coach: Sándor Balázs
- Vanda Joó – Remetea Equestrian Club – show jumping – First Harghita County Show Jumping Championship, Junior category (120 cm), 2nd place; National Championship Final, Junior category (130 cm), 12th place – coach: Sándor Balázs
- Edina Petréd – Remetea Equestrian Club – show jumping – 10th Sekler Regional Show Jumping Championship (80 cm), 2nd place – coach: Sándor Balázs
- Bernadett Ladó – Csicser Riding Stable – show jumping – 10th Sekler Regional Show Jumping Championship (80 cm), 3rd place – coach: Ábel André
- Jázmin Kovács – Remetea Equestrian Club – show jumping – 10th Sekler Regional Show Jumping Championship (100 cm), 1st place – coach: Sándor Balázs
- Emma Lakatos – Judo Hargita – show jumping – 10th Sekler Regional Show Jumping Championship (100 cm), 2nd place – coach: Dalma Gergely
- Gáspár Petréd – Remetea Equestrian Club – show jumping – 10th Sekler Regional Show Jumping Championship (110 cm), 1st place; National Championship Final, Junior category (130 cm), 10th place; Children’s final (125 cm), 8th place – coach: Sándor Balázs
- Biborka Bocskai – Astoria Horse Center – show jumping – National Championship Final, Junior Elite category (130 cm), 6th place
- Réka Ilyés – Remetea Equestrian Club – show jumping – National Championship Final, Children Criteria category (90 cm), 23rd place – coach: Sándor Balázs
- Leila Szabó – Remetea Equestrian Club – show jumping – Danube Champions Tour, international amateur category (110 cm), 1st place – coach: Sándor Balázs
- Kriszta Kádár – Táltos Equestrian Yard – dressage – Harghita County Dressage Championship, 1st place
- Virág Bartus – Septimia Sports Club – dressage, eventing – Harghita County Dressage Championship, 2nd place; Harghita County Eventing Championship, Prenovice category, 3rd place
- Csaba Hegyi – Táltos Equestrian Yard – dressage – Harghita County Dressage Championship, 3rd place
- Eszter Gábos – Katowice Association – eventing – Harghita County Eventing Championship, Novice Junior category, 1st place
- Katalin Ferencz – Kavalliera Association – eventing – Harghita County Eventing Championship, Prenovice category, 1st place
- Ernő Fejér – Kavalliera Association – eventing – Harghita County Eventing Championship, Prenovice category, 2nd place
- Tibor Bajkó and Ildikó Bajkó – Krigel Sports Club – carriage driving – Romanian Carriage Driving Championship, outstanding results
- László Orosz and István Benedek – Krigel Sports Club – carriage driving – Romanian Carriage Driving Championship, outstanding results
- Romeó Lőrincz – horse archery – Romanian National Final, Adult men’s category, 1st place
- Csongor Bakos – horse archery – Romanian National Final, Adult men’s category, 2nd place
- Levente Karácsony – horse archery – Romanian National Final, Adult men’s category, 3rd place
- Boglárka Bakó – horse archery – Romanian National Final, Adult women’s category, 1st place
- Nóra Török – horse archery – Romanian National Final, Adult women’s category, 2nd place
- Márton Albert – horse archery – Romanian National Final, Youth men’s category, 1st place
- Koppány Csiky Dácz – horse archery – Romanian National Final, Youth men’s category, 2nd place
- Ivett Csiszér – horse archery – Romanian National Final, Youth women’s category, 1st place
- Bernadett Bodor – horse archery – Romanian National Final, Youth women’s category, 2nd place
- Ármin Magor Rácz – horse archery – Romanian National Final, Children boys’ category, 1st place
- Tamás Kovács – horse archery – Romanian National Final, Children boys’ category, 2nd place
- Domán Szalontai – horse archery – Romanian National Final, Children boys’ category, 3rd place
- Virág Lőrincz – horse archery – Romanian National Final, Children girls’ category, 1st place
- Biborka Mátyás Ambrus – horse archery – Romanian National Final, Children girls’ category, 2nd place
- Dorka András – horse archery – Romanian National Final, Children girls’ category, 3rd place
Remetea, March 19, 2026.
The representative of the Embassy of Norway in Romania was received by Bíró Barna-Botond
Tor Martin Møller, representative of the Embassy of Norway in Romania, was received on March 18 by Bíró Barna-Botond, President of the Harghita County Council, at the temporary headquarters of the County Council.
During the meeting, they discussed the directions of regional development, cross-border cooperation, as well as the role of education, youth, and cultural development in building a strong community. Such meetings provide an opportunity for the exchange of experience and for strengthening our international relations, for the benefit of our communities – stated Bíró Barna-Botond.
How are young people’s careers supported in Austria?
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.
CALL FOR APPLICATIONS – World Food Gift Challenge 2026
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)
The professional visit organized under the EASI and AVETE projects served the preparation of student mobility programmes
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.
Applications now open for the Myrmidone Certification and Open Farm Program
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.
Marcsi Borbás becomes Honorary Ambassador of Harghita County
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.
Harghita County prepares for the 2027 Gastronomy Year involving local 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
Stakeholder meeting on the development directions of the Hășmaș Mountains area within the framework of the CIBioGo project
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.
4. “DISPOZIŢIILE AUTORITĂŢII EXECUTIVE”
5. “DOCUMENTE ŞI INFORMAŢII FINANCIARE”
- Situația funcțiilor din cadrul Consiliului Județean Harghita
6. “ALTE DOCUMENTE”
