A cooperation network between the Cooperative Company "Group of Commandaria Producers", local authorities and catering establishments, is being created in the commandaria producing area of Limassol district, at the foot of the Troodos mountain range, where the famous sweet wine of Cyprus, which is registered with a protected designation of origin (PDO), is produced. To that end, an application for funding from the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development, within the Rural Development Program for the period 2014-2020, was submitted by the Limassol District Development Company (ANELEM), which was approved a few days ago.
The Lead Partner in the proposed project is the "Commandaria Producers Group" Cooperative Company, which consists of the Cooperative winemaking companies of Agios Mamas-Kapilio, Lania, Sylikou, Agios Constantinos, Zoopigi and Kalo Chorio. Partners in the project are also the community council of Agios Mamas, the Limassol Tourism Board and the Omodos tavern "The yard of Themistocles". The objectives of the network are to increase the sales and competitiveness of commandaria, and to stabilize the turnover of producers, as well as the independence from the pricing policies of the big companies.
Significantly, no additional actions are required for the maturity of the project. The creation of the Cooperation Network has a total budget of €43,000, of which €20.000 will be allocated for the purchase of a Van-type vehicle, for the transport of commandaria. Another 10 thousand will be allocated for the preparation of an advertising campaign, which will include a complete promotion and publicity plan. In addition, €6.000 are earmarked for the commander's transport driver, 2 thousand for the organization of training and another 2 for the organization of two events related to Wine (commandaria) Tasting). Finally, 3 thousand pertain to staff costs for coordination purposes, which include the preparation of the "Cooperation Agreement". There are 14 commandaria producing villages in Limassol District: Agios Georgios, Agios Constantinos, Agios Mamas, Agios Pavlos, Apsiou, Gerasa, Doros, Zoopigi, Kalo Chorio, Kapilio, Lania, Louvaras, Monagri and Sylikou.
