Operating Grant

The Operating Grant is a co-financing instrument for European environmental NGOs.

It covers the operating costs borne by recipients in implementing the projects and activities provided for in their annual works programmes. Slow Food has been a recipient since 2011.

Main Goals
These work programmes encompass pan-European activities at both grassroots and policy levels, which can be categorized under the following broad areas:
- Implementation of grassroots projects that involve producers and facilitate consumer engagement (e.g. Ark of Taste, Presidia and Earth Markets).
- Production and dissemination of food-issue related documents that target policymakers, producers and consumers.
- Contribution to international and European food debates through participation in advisory committees, high-level forums and expert working groups of EU institutions.
- Engagement with the civil society consultation mechanisms of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).
- Organization of training sessions and meetings to facilitate the exchange of knowledge among producers.
- Development of events which facilitate interactions between producers and consumers, raise consumer awareness to encourage responsible food choices and engage decision-makers at every level (e.g. Salone del Gusto & Terra Madre, Slow Cheese and Slow Fish).