Social integration of disadvantaged people in rural areas through sustainable collection and processing of medicinal and aromatic plants

We have created the brand “Grădina de plante medicinale în Ardeal” – “Transylvanian Herb Garden” (www.naturalherbs.ro), which promotes the collection, the processing and the sustainable use of medicinal and aromatic plants in Romania. The core objective was the social integration of disadvantaged people from rural areas by spreading knowledge about the collection and processing of medicinal plants. We have also focused on promoting local economic activities and sustainable development. 7 groups of volunteers from the Odorhei area and 3 from Cluj were mobilized in rural areas, and 60 volunteers were actively involved in identifying and documenting 48 species of medicinal plants in those areas. We have set up two competence centers (in Locodeni, Harghita County and Sic, Cluj County), which we have equipped with the necessary equipment for processing. In the center of Locodeni Village we also made a demonstration garden the employed 2 persons with disabilities and 45 volunteers. 100 people from disadvantaged groups participated in information sessions on medicinal plants and their collection. We have also organized over 20 workshops on plants and marketing strategies for the 44 local multipliers selected to disseminate information to interested population in their communities.

Executive AgencyCivitas Foundation for Civil SocietyPartnersLIA Foundation, Harghita | Civitas Foundation for Civil Society - Cluj-Napoca regional office | Association for Biodynamic Agriculture, SwitzerlnadContract NumberPF 39ComponentPartnershipsCountyHarghitaImplementation areaRegionalThematic areaCommunity DevelopmentImplementation period01.05.2015-31.10.2017Budget of the project (CHF)252,480Swiss Contribution (CHF)226,973Project websitewww.naturalherbs.roExecutive Agency websitewww.civitas.ro