Paris, 16 February 2023 - Wines of Argentina, the institution responsible for the promotion of Argentine wine at a global level, officially launched its sustainability programme for the wine sector, made possible by AL-INVEST VerdeThe European Union (EU) initiative will strengthen the promotion strategy of the national product thanks to various actions associated with social, environmental and economic sustainability. The presentation took place in Paris, within the framework of Argentina's participation in the VINEXPO 2023 fair.
Sustenta-Vitis with SME focus
Out of a total of 136 proposals submitted during the first AL-INVEST Verde call 24 projects were selected, including the WofA initiative. Sustenta-Vitis. Integral Sustainability Programme for Argentinean Winetogether with its European partner Interco Aquitaine. In this way, WofA was the beneficiary of a non-refundable grant of 300,000 euros from the European Union (EU), to be implemented over a period of 24 months.
This project falls within the scope of Component 1 of the programme, which seeks to promote sustainable growth and job creation by supporting the transition to a low-carbon, resource-efficient and more circular economy in Latin America. Specifically, it seeks to encourage Latin American SMEs to adopt cleaner and more resource-efficient products, processes and services.
"We are extremely proud that the Sustenta-Vitis project has been selected by AL-INVEST Verde. Not only is it a great recognition of the work we have been doing at WofA, but it is also a further proof that sustainability is, without a doubt, the horizon we have to look at if we want to continue to make our mark in the world. These resources will allow us to deepen our actions to provide small and medium-sized wineries with the knowledge and tools necessary to adapt to the new demands of the public and the demands of the markets".said Magdalena Pesce, General Manager of Wines of Argentina.
"SMEs are key actors for the sustainable development of economies due to their high potential to respond to market needs, generate employment and allow access to better living conditions. At AL-INVEST Verde we manage funds to finance projects that seek to benefit SMEs and at the same time expand their possibilities to trade under EU standards, giving them a competitive advantage".said Irene Haddad, Team Leader of Component 1 of AL-INVEST Verde.
Strengthening the institutional pillars
In line with the WofA's institutional vision towards a sustainable, diverse and inclusive viticulture, the project Sustenta-Vitis involves a series of lines of action whose implementation will have a positive impact on Argentinean wineries and will also contribute to further the communication of sustainability as one of the features of locally produced wine:
- WofA Sustenta: Assistance and transfers to implement improvements in the productive phase of the wineries and achieve certifications;
- WofA Recupera: Assistance to wineries in waste recovery; Inter-institutional Agreements.
- WofA Concientiza: Good practice dissemination programme and communication campaigns.
- WofA Innova: Innovation Competition; Inter-institutional and inter-enterprise linking.
Through AL-INVEST Verde, more than €9 million will be allocated to boost green economy projects in Latin America. Throughout its implementation, the AL-INVEST Verde programme will provide training, technical assistance, trade promotion activities, networking and other actions to contribute to the productivity and competitiveness of SMEs in the region. The selected projects were presented by various institutions from countries such as Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Peru and Uruguay.
Launch event in Paris
The official presentation of the programme took place on Tuesday 14 February at the headquarters of the Argentine Embassy in France, where Ambassador Leonardo Costantino hosted a reception attended by authorities from AL-INVEST Verde, Interco, sequa, WofA, the Director General of the OIV, Pau Roca, and prominent sommeliers from our country such as Andrea Donadío, Valeria Gamper, Paz Levinson, Valeria Mortara, Marcela Rienzo and Emiliano Calderón; outstanding sommeliers from our country such as Andrea Donadío, Valeria Gamper, Paz Levinson, Valeria Mortara, Marcela Rienzo and Emiliano Calderón; industry leaders such as Michel Rolland and Laurent Dassault, as well as members of the delegation of Argentine wineries that travelled to France on the occasion of the Vinexpo Paris fair.
In this framework, the attendees had the opportunity to taste different Argentinean labels, reflecting the prestige and great diversity that the country has in terms of wine, following the guidelines of the communication campaign "Argentina Unsurpassed of WofA. Among the wineries tasted, which also marked their presence at Vinexpo, were: Familia Zuccardi, Familia Millán, Jasmine Monet Organic Vineyard, Susana Balbo, Don Cristóbal, Bodega Diamandes, Bodega Cuchillo de Palo and Bodegas Salentein.
About AL-INVEST Green
AL-INVEST Verde is a European Union programme whose main objective is to promote sustainable growth and job creation in Latin America by supporting the transition towards a low-carbon, resource-efficient and more circular economy. Through Component 1, the programme manages funds for the implementation of innovative projects of small business associations to promote sustainable practices in the private sector. Component 1 is led by sequaThe German non-profit organisation, which operates worldwide with the aim of promoting the private sector.
