Local Mapping of EPGs EN Local mapping of EPGs EN | Page 33

- Through joint planning of production, they support and cheer the ecological production and help consumers to find eco-friendly products.
- Visiting the property of producers, consumers become aware of the fieldwork and understand what the specifics of ecological production are, thus building trust bonds.
- Members order products they wish via the tables available on online platforms( Google) made available by the producers. In the way they ensure the quantity of product they need at a favourable price, which is lower than that on the free market.
- Through the weekly orders of seasonal vegetables that take place on a regular basis and that are paid monthly, consumers ensure to producers the placement of the cultivated products.
- The administrative body of the ESG is composed of a group of people, usually the most active members, who make agreements and take joint decisions.
- Every member of the ESG has the ability to activate himself and to become part of the administrative group.
- The decisions are taken at three levels: for external policy of the group the responsibility lies within the representatives of the group operating under the coordination of ESGs( Network of representatives of ESGs) and NSG( Network of Solidarity Groups); the current decisions are taken by the administration of the single group; the decision of particular importance are taken at meetings where all the members of the group take part, with the majority of those present( involved).
Main activities to be implemented during the formation and administration of an EPG
It has been asked for an advice to several solidarity groups already functioning, with whom has been established a contact, about which is the best way to start a solidarity group, and the answer was about the same: for a solidarity group, in order to operate in a qualitative way, is crucial to solicit the active participation of all members. Within groups, it is normal to see many problems and find a solution that fits all of them, even if an advice, in general, is to find models that are as simplest as possible. It ' important to start right away, and resolve disputes along the way, because it happened to many groups to remain at the stage of formation, due to the many discussions and controversies which have remained without an
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