Post by IFOAM Organics Europe

🌱 #EUOrganic Awards: Meet the nominees for Best Organic Region & Bio district 2026 🇮🇹 Distretto Sardegna Bio Located in the Sardegna region (Italy) and established in 2021, Distretto Sardegna Bio is Italy’s first and largest organic biodistrict, covering 24,090 km² and bringing together 1.57 million people, 2,600 organic farms, and 184,000 hectares of certified organic farmland. It connects producers, processors, public institutions, and consumers through shared governance, local supply chains, organic public procurement, and rural energy communities. A model for sustainable regional development, it strengthens local economies, supports access to EU funding and export markets, and offers a transferable framework for building resilient, community-led organic districts. 🇵🇹 Alto Tâmega e Barroso Established in 2018, the Bio-Region of Alto Tâmega and Barroso is transforming rural development through organic farming, local food systems, and climate action. Covering 3,000 km², the region has increased its organic farming area by over 400%, while strengthening connections between local producers, schools, public institutions, and communities. From integrating local organic food into school meals and creating educational gardens to promoting sustainable biomass use and fire prevention, the Bio-Region is proving that collaboration and innovation can build resilient, low-carbon rural communities. 🇪🇸 Pla de Manlleu Covering 85 km², involving around 350 people, and with 95% of its agricultural land under organic farming, the Farmers’ Association Pla de Manlleu has created an integrated agroforestry biodistrict model based on participation, innovation, and inclusion. By combining organic winemaking with coordinated natural resource management, the biodistrict is strengthening local economies, promoting sustainable tourism, fostering social cohesion, and helping reverse rural depopulation. These regions are pioneering resilient, equitable, and forward-thinking food systems, creating positive impacts both locally and across Europe. 🏆 Stay tuned to learn about finalists from other categories! Winners will be announced on 23 September at the EU Organic Awards Ceremony in Brussels and online. Best of luck to all the nominees! ☘️ COPA COGECA European Economic and Social Committee European Committee of the Regions EU Agriculture and Food