The Interreg Hungary\u2013Slovakia Programme fosters cooperation among stakeholders in the Hungarian\u2013Slovakian border region through the implementation of joint developments. Among the projects to be launched with the participation of Sz\u00e9chenyi Istv\u00e1n University, CommonBasket and FRESHBRIDGE strengthen the region\u2019s small-scale producers and local food economy, while Bridge to Home focuses on social issues related to homelessness.<\/p>\n\n\n
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<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nTwo projects aimed at enhancing the competitiveness of small-scale producers.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n The project titled „Common Basket \u2013 Short Supply Chains and Open Farm Gates in the Kisalf\u00f6ld\u2013Szigetk\u00f6z\u2013Csall\u00f3k\u00f6z region”<\/em> explores how to improve market access for small-scale and craft producers offering local products in the Hungarian\u2013Slovakian border region. Currently, this process is hindered by a lack of cooperation among stakeholders, limited sales opportunities, and a shortage of the expertise required to operate short supply chains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Within the framework of the project, a cross-border model will be developed and piloted to establish closer links between producers, consumers, catering enterprises, and local authorities. The partners will map one hundred producers in the region, involving forty of them in professional training, alongside organising six „Open Farm Gate” events. The programme will also feature a joint gastronomic festival, several public awareness campaigns, and study tours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A key element of the initiative is the development of a shared digital system. The Hungarian\u2013Slovakian „SSC Atlas” (Short Supply Chain Atlas) compiles regional opportunities and best practices for short supply chains, serving as the foundation for a bilingual product showcase platform. The promotion of local products will also be supported by AI-assisted content creation, short videos, and social media content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The 24-month project, led by Herman Ott\u00f3 Institute Nonprofit Ltd., starts in September with a total estimated budget of \u20ac531,823, including a funding allocation of \u20ac127,008 for Sz\u00e9chenyi Istv\u00e1n University. The academic work at the University is directed by Dr K\u00e1roly Kacz, Associate Professor at the Department of Agricultural Economics, Albert K\u00e1zm\u00e9r Faculty of Mosonmagyar\u00f3v\u00e1r.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The project titled „Premium Flavours of the Region \u2013 Cross-Border Short Supply Chains for the Market Access of Local Craft Products (FRESHBRIDGE)”<\/em> also serves to enhance the competitiveness of small-scale producers. In addition to mapping and engaging producers, its Hungarian activities place a strong emphasis on knowledge transfer, supporting participants through practical training, mentoring, and professional workshops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The programmes cover expertise spanning the entire value chain, including marketing, new sales opportunities, product development, food safety, and regulatory requirements. Over the course of the project, ten in-person and ten online training sessions are planned, alongside six events related to short supply chains in each country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The professional leader of the project running from November 2026 to October 2028 is Gergely Csima, Research Engineer at the Department of Food Science, Albert K\u00e1zm\u00e9r Faculty of Mosonmagyar\u00f3v\u00e1r, Sz\u00e9chenyi Istv\u00e1n University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The third funded initiative seeks a joint Hungarian\u2013Slovakian solution to a challenge of a different nature. Sz\u00e9chenyi Istv\u00e1n University is participating in the „Bridge to Home \u2013 Cross-Border Cooperation for the Social Reintegration of Homeless People”<\/em> programme through a practice-oriented course. Within this course, law and social work students jointly examine how the legal, institutional, and social dimensions of homelessness intersect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The initiative adopts different approaches to support those affected in Gy\u0151r and Dunaszerdahely. In Gy\u0151r, the focus is on providing secure housing, offering twelve individuals the opportunity to move into municipal housing premises for rent. This housing is accompanied by tailored professional support involving social workers and addiction specialists. In Dunaszerdahely, the primary emphasis is on enhancing employability and facilitating entry into the labour market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The University\u2019s training programme enables participating students to gain practical experience through real-life situations, while bridging the perspectives of different academic disciplines. The project, led by Gy\u0151r Regional Development and Project Management Ltd., has a total planned budget of \u20ac459,727, with \u20ac5,180 allocated to the tasks of Sz\u00e9chenyi Istv\u00e1n University. The University’s academic leader for the project is Professor Dr P\u00e9ter Smuk, Dean of the De\u00e1k Ferenc Faculty of Law and Political Sciences.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Created: 2026.09.29. 14:38 The entry of local producers into the market, the development of short supply chains, and the social and labour-market reintegration of homeless people are supported by joint …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":22,"featured_media":10621,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[24],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-10620","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"yoast_head":"\n