
Pomurje region, Slovenia
Improving consumer food choices
Improving consumer food choices
Pomurje, in northeastern Slovenia, is the country’s most agricultural region, where food production and consumption are closely interwoven with everyday life. Known for its fertile soils and a strong agri-food tradition, the region is steadily transitioning towards more sustainable agrifood sector.
Pomurje is also fostering local food systems and shorter supply chains, aiming to reconnect producers and consumers while promoting responsible and resilient food choices.
Supported by EU and national policies like the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), Pomurje focuses on biodiversity, soil health, and vibrant rural development.
What needs to change?

What needs to change?
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Socio-economic barriers limiting access to healthy quality food.
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Rural-urban divide that hinder equitable food distribution and availability.
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Low consumer awareness and limited trust in sustainable food systems.
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Weak alignment between producers and market demands, including consumer preferences.
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Insufficient education and engagement around healthy, responsible eating habits.
Our approach

Our approach
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Fostering co-creation processes that actively engage consumers, producers, and other stakeholders in shaping sustainable food environments.
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Leveraging traceability systems and digital tools to collect real-time data on consumer purchasing behaviours and opinions, as well as to trace produce from farm to fork, supporting transparency, trust, and evidence-based decision making.
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Strengthening understanding of consumer needs, values, motivations, and constraints through participatory research.
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Designing targeted educational and awareness-raising activities that support informed and more sustainable food choices.
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Creating feedback loops between consumers and food system actors to align supply with actual demand and values.
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Embedding behavioural insights into innovation, with a focus on affordability, trust, and cultural relevance.
LOCAL CONTACTS
Pilot coordinators
Sasa Straus (ITC)
sasa.straus@itc-cluster.com
Tamara Kozic (ITC)
tamara.kozic@itc-cluster.com