TDC-OLIVE - Setting-up a Network of Technology Dissemination Centres to Optimise SMEs in the Olive and Olive Oil Sector

Olives and olive oil are known for its beneficial effects on human health, mainly due to its protective action over the skin and cardiovascular and skeletal system. These foods are basic elements in the Mediterranean diet. Countries in this area are not only the main producers but also the ones with most consumers of them. The idea underlying this project is that this source of health should not be restricted to the producers located in the Mediterranean region. In fact, it would be highly recommended that olives and olive oil were part of the regular diet not only in European countries, but also in the whole world. To achieve this goal, the producing companies need to be reinforced, since most of the companies in Spain, Greece, Italy and Portugal are small and medium enterprises (Sees), mainly family companies. This project stresses the need to reinforce Sees and is in perfect agreement with the actions reflected in the European Union document Evaluation of the impact of the main market-organization measures in the olive oil sector, (1995-2000), and with the result of the last opinion poll carried out by the European Commission (Inn barometer) to the enterprises managers.
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The project is based on four pillars: To achieve a modern SME, with qualified staff, that employs the new technologies in order to access information and, in general, to all the technological innovation system; an SME concerned in the optimisation of the product quality and seriously committed in the treatment, recycling and re-use of all the wastes generated in its activity. <p>
Finally, partners have been carefully chosen attending to the following criteria:
<OL> <LI> Countries with the highest number of Sees belonging to the olive and olive oil sector (Spain, Italy and Greece)
<LI> Countries where the consumption of these products is not widespread and, therefore, they're suitable targets for diffusion.