Recent and current projects

On this page you will find an overview of current projects and projects that SEEDEV has done in the recent past.
The projects are divided over 6 areas:



Geographic Indications for agro-food products in Balkans projects (to top)

Swiss-Serbian Trade Cooperation Programme 2009-2012: Technical Assistance in the field of intellectual property rights (TRIPS compliance and geographical indications):
This three-year programme aims at supporting institutions and value-chain stakeholders to define and implement a GI protection system conducive for economic development of rural areas. At institutional level the project supports the improvement of the legal and overall institutional framework for GIs, and the establishment of an efficient control system SEEDEV leads the assistance to the producers in protecting GI and developing marketing strategies for their product through:
  • Introductory training on GIs and Mediation / facilitations techniques;
  • Coaching of the support organisations in assisting producers;
  • VC analyis: for each of the selected products and Market research;
  • Export manuals for producers and support organisations;
  • The Project envisage also to increase general public awareness on GIs;
Implementing partners: Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property, AGRIDEA
Client: State Secretariat for Economic Affairs, Switzerland


Co-organisation of the South East Europe Technical Seminar on Quality Food Products Linked to Geographical Origin and Traditions, Belgrade, 3-4 December 2008:
The seminar organized jointly with FAO, the Serbian Ministry of Agriculture and AGRIDEA aimed at identifying challenges for the SEE region, Institutional and legal issues. as well as organisational and technical aspects at regional level and to formulate recommendations (Download report 320 KB).


Case studies on Quality Products Linked to Geographical Origin, Balkans
The study covered the Cheese of Livno, the Beans of Tetovo and the Dried Beef Meet from Uzice. For each product, the study analysed the institutional context, the product and the market, the stakeholders as well as the impact of the GI protection process. General recommendations were made to improve the different GI protection system in the Balkans. The result of the Study has been published jointly with FAO and AGRIDEA (Download 3.3 MB).
Client: FAO, Implemented with AGRIDEA


Research projects (to top)

FOCUS-Balkans, Food Consumer Science in the Balkans
The objective of the FOCUS-BALKANS project is to improve competencies and understanding in the field of consumer food science in the Western Balkan countries (WBC). The scientific results of this research will make important contributions to public health and consumer protection and to the achievement of the objectives within the Seventh Research Framework Programme (FP7). The project gathers 14 partners from the Balkans, EU and Switzerland. SEEDEV is in charge of organising the training and networking activities (see project website).
The specific objectives are to:

  • Develop the competences and understanding of public organisations, private enterprises and NGOs in the WBC countries regarding food consumer science (training).
  • Develop a network of universities, institutes, high schools, consumer organizations, NGOs and private enterprises active in the field of food consumer science that are able to develop joint research activities (networking).
  • Have a better understanding of food consumers in the WBCs, with a focus on products with positive nutritional properties (fruits and health/Diet foods) and sustainability (organic and traditional food products). Four studies on those markets plus one quantitative survey will systematically be conducted by WBC organizations as a mechanism for learning by- doing.
Client: European Commission


Local and Rural Development (to top)

Defining and drafting the Rural Development Plan of the county of Medjimurje, Croatia.
SEEDEV has facilitate the process of priority identification in the agriculture, tourism, environmental, SMEs and social sectors. Subsequently, SEEDEV has formulated of measures and institutional arrangements gathered in the "Medjimurje County Rural Development Strategy". This project was funded by the Regional Development Agency Medjimurje and FAO. The Rural Development Plan was approved by the county assembly in March 2009.
Client: The County of Medjimurje, Croatia

Support to the newly established Rural Development Agency of the Municipality of Indjija, Serbia.
SEEDEV has assisted the Indjija municipality to set-up the municipal Rural Development Agency by defining its Terms of Reference, identifying development priority and measures as well as defining procedures to implement these measures.
Client: the Municipality of Indjija, Serbia


Capacity building and thematic training projects (to top)

Capacity building for IPA programming and application - trainings for municipalities and central institutions The main objective is support to local authorities and decision makers at the central level (Ministry of Interior and Ministry of Defense) to strategically plan, select and prepare project proposals according to the IPA axes. The trainings and technical support are implemented as part of the Preparedness, Planning and Economic Security Program of USAID/DAI, and they directly aim to facilitate the access to funding and cooperation opportunities offered within IPA.
Client: Development Alternatives, Inc., USAID Project


Policy and Ecomic studies (to top)

Study on the land reforms in all countries of former Yugoslavia.
The study analyses the reform process in all the former countries of SFRY under the perspective of the land and market. The publication of the document "Transition reform of the agriculture sector in countries of the SFRY" is pending.
Client: UN FAO

Analysis of the global financial crisis impact on Serbian agriculture sector
The study analyses the nature of the worldwide economic crisis and its short and long-term impacts on Serbian agriculture sector. Base on this analysis, the authors outline possible measures to alleviate the negative impacts of the crisis. (Download report 2.7 MB).
Client: Agribusiness Project USAID


Value-chain analysis and investment advice to private companies (to top)

Analysis of the Sugar sector in Serbia and recommendation for the organisation of the supply chain. SEEDEV was mandated by the Società Fondiaria Industriale Romagnola (SFIR) to undertake a supply analysis as well to propose the modality of a inter-professional association for the sugar sub-sector.
Client: Società Fondiaria Industriale Romagnola.

Analysis of vegetable production and processing in Vojvodina region
The GlobalSeed Company, together with SEEDEV, decided to make an analysis of the profitability of production and vegetable processing in the Vojvodina region, in order to make sound decisions on the crop selection, type of processing, as well as production volumes and level of investment. The Project follow-up included business plan, building design and type of equipment recommendations.
Client: GlobalSeed