1. Support and development of ecological farming in the Jeseníky microregion
(EU Phare No. CZ 9807, MMR)
The aim of the project was to support development of ecological farming in the Jeseníky as a viable activity and as a tool for diversification of agriculture and development of sustainable rural life. Within this EU pilot project PRO-BIO verified that a common resolution of progressive tasks within regions (e.g. common promotion, marketing, lobbing etc.) is much more effective for farmers who are the Association members than individuals. Another important thing is the possibility of using the same structure and outputs of the project in other regions which is a multiplying effect. The project focused on education, promotion and support of practical, marketing organic programmes. (Investment: equipment for food-tasting and exhibitions, completing equipment of an abbatoir, a cheese making plant, herb-growing, a bakery, equipment for eco-agrotourism etc.) Besides other effects the project contributed to an increase in the number of members within the microregion (Šumperk, Bruntál and Jeseník districts) by 18% (from 77 to 91 enterprises).
Examples of other outputs: 3 studies ("Study on development, current situation and potential development of ecological farming in the Jeseníky microregion", "History of agriculture in the Jeseníky region", "Possibilities of seed and seedling production for ecological farming"), 3 specialist EF Bulletins, 10 lectures for schools and general public, 15 promotional events with organic food tastings, modernisation and operation of the "Advise and Information Centre for Ecological Agriculture" in Šumperk - ICEA, 3 specialist seminars, an advisory booklet for the PRO-BIO trade mark, an Association-member manual, regional "bio" (organic) trade marks, articles in newspapers and magazines (e.g. 10 pages in Euro Magazine), a photo-study on ecological farming, exhibition stands on ecological farming, series of colour leaflets etc.
A conclusive report of the project and of results of the studies including interviews, photographs and documentaries was published in a ten-page colour feature in the "Euro magazine".

2. SVWO - Support of the PRO-BIO Association Structure and Biodynamic Agriculture:
Ongoing support from the Swiss SVWO Association for East-West Cooperation in Ecological Farming. In 2001 the support was mainly focused on financial completion of the 10% obligatory co-participation in the Phare + MMR project, (Microregion Jeseníky - another 10% was financed by the PRO-BIO Jeseníky RC). We received the sum of 230,000 crowns from SVWO in December 2000, which is why it is not included in the profit and loss account of the year described.
The SVWO Association also supported participation of Annegret Bohmert, a Swiss lecturer, at a seminar devoted to health food and cooking, which took place in August at Kout - a biodynamic farm in Fořt.
Within its biodynamic activities PRO-BIO also supported operation of the Camphill České Kopisty civic association which is a PRO-BIO member. The association has been working on establishing a "Camphill", i.e. home for handicapped people at a biodynamic farm in České Kopisty near Litoměřice (www.camphill.cz). The headquarters of this association was within the PRO-BIO base in Šumperk. PRO-BIO also provided coordination, accounting etc. for the Camphill project.
Within the now traditional cooperation with the SVWO project, PRO-BIO used and administered financial means entrusted by the Swiss SVWO association to the self-help PRO-BIO fund.

3. REC Budapest - Traditional crop growing in ecological farming, biodiversity and organic seed (REC - regional ecological centre for Eastern Europe based in Hungary and supported by the Danish government)
A cooperative grant implemented together with the Slovak Ekotrend Association. In 2001 its first part was carried out. Some outputs: excursions, tastings, some more leaflets on crops including recipies, "Česká biokuchařka" - a Czech organic cookery book.

4. REC Praha - Support for ecological farming in the EU and in the Czech Republic
Within this national grant, supported by the Prague branch of REC, a team of experts was established and a study elaborated, which sums up the legislative framework for support of ecological farming in Europe, shows particular examples in individual countries, introduces action plans of EF development and suggests possibilities for the Czech Republic. The study summary was published in a representative form in "Euro Magazine".

5. BIOMARKETING 2001
(the Luxembourg Ministry of Environment - via Hëllef fir d' Natur foundation)
A complex grant programme supporting the PRO-BIO Association marketing activities: coordination, information system, advisory, promotion, advertising and sales support. Under this project an advise and coordination office for organic food sales was run in Šumperk, some retailers' activities were supported as well as planning seminars, press conferences, exhibitions, trade fairs and public open days, regular publication of the "Bio-monthly" magazine, publication of a manual on organic food sales and also internet presentations. For a detailed list of the activities see other articles of this annual report - promotion and marketing.

6. EPSAT - advisory work in ecological farming (a PTT method)
("Leonardo da Vinci", an EU programme coordinated by a Dutch advisory association)
Finishing of this project which was aimed at several countries (both EU members and prospective-member countries). Besides an international workshop held in Staré Město pod Sněžníkem, advisory modules for ecological farming, obtained from the EU, were translated.

7. NABU - Seed for ecological farming
(the EU - NABU - the German Association of Nature Conservationists)
NABU considers the lack of non-certified organic seed as a big barrier to further development of ecological farming in Europe. Therefore, with EU support, they organise specialist seminars focused on this problem all over Europe. In the Czech Republic such a seminar was organised in Brno, May 2001 by the PRO-BIO Association.

8. BIO ACADEMY - Lednice 2001
(the EU - Taiex and the Austrian Ministry of Agriculture)
Implementation of a PRO-BIO member, Dr. Piatti's idea - to establish a tradition of a Central European Summer Academy of Ecological Farming in Lednice na Moravě (at Mendel University of Agriculture and Forestry. The inaugural event was held in June 2001 with participation of the Czech and Austrian Ministers of Agriculture and EU representatives. PRO-BIO was the garrantor of a specialised programme, was responsible for organic catering, exhibitions, referrees, specialist excursions, promotion, presentation etc. The Czech and Austrian Ministries of Agriculture and the Austrian Ernte association also took part in co-organisation of the event.

9. Potential for EF beef sales in the Czech Republic
(The Dutch Avalon foundation and the Czech Ministry of Agriculture)
This project involved assistance of Dutch experts, coordination of Czech advisors and gaining data from Czech ecological farms. As an output, there is a study on the possibilities of implementation - especially focusing on indoor cattle feeding and possibilities of organic beef sales ( mainly according to demand from Ahold supermarket chain). The study was written by Dutch advisory companies on the basis of a contract with the Avalon foundation.

Note: In the profit and loss account, all items regarding the projects are evaluated according to the Act on Accounting. Some projects were supported on the basis of a grant contract (REC, Phare - the Jeseníky Microregion and EPSAT), other on the basis of a donation contract - donation for ecology (Hëllef fir d'Natur and SVWO), the rest were treated as a sub-supply for other organisations and these are accounted as earnings.