Results of the GREASE project on the Slow Food Salon 2025

On December 13, 2025, ARNO participated in the 4th Slow Food Salon 2025, held at the Continental Hotel, with a promotional stand dedicated to the creative edition of the GREASE project. The focus of ours was to share special specials, manuals and experiences within the project, as well as to open a conversation about rural entrepreneurship and the social economy.

As announced by the organizers, this edition of the Slow Food Salon was dedicated to exploring the deeper relationship between man and nature, inspired by the quote of Albert Einstein: “Look deeply into nature and then you will understand better”. The event was conceived as a call for change – from a consumption model to a regenerative approach that renews and respects the land, water and ecosystem. Within the framework of the forum, local and regional producers from all over Macedonia were presented, the program included a fair of small producers and beverages, thematic, presentations of farms and oils, educational activities for children, master classes and a space for networking of organizations and initiatives related to food.

Within the framework of the ARNO stand, we organized informal educational activities – presentations, games and questions related to the social economy, rural development and experiences from the project – which developed conversations and interests, especially among young people. Through an educational game with cards (flash cards), the subjects answered questions related to the content of the GREASE project: what is the social economy, what are cooperatives, what does compost mean, what skills do rural women entrepreneurs need and why are they important. Each correct answer was rewarded with chocolate and a cup of hot cocoa from Africa.

In the spirit of teamwork and competition, we also organized a bingo game with questions from thematic areas. Participants with quick and correct answers competed for prizes: first place – a package of cocoa from Africa Closer, second place – a thermos, and third place – an apron for cooking (eco-gifts that convey messages in themselves). .

Visitors have the opportunity to directly familiarize themselves with the manuals and activities within the framework of the GREASE project. Through QR codes they can access the contents, some of which will also include a contact email address for further communication.

The presence of the Slow Food Salon 2025 frees us from the project to put them in a broader context – food, nature, production and people. Our stand was visited by green businesses such as Dusica from the eco-farm “Berovko” and David from “Kozi mleko planina”, owners of impact businesses and circular economy projects, those who use green social entrepreneurship training, as well as young people who are hearing about cooperatives for the first time, although in the Balkans they have had cooperatives since the previous political system. The stand was also visited by numerous local producers and eco-activists who are interested in various aspects of the project and how food production can be good for people, the economy and nature.