How local and regional authorities support the recognition and development of geographical indications in their territory
A new study by the European Committee of the Regions’ Commission for Natural Resources examines how local and regional authorities are responding to the EU’s updated Geographical Indications framework. The new rules for crafts and industrial products came into effect on 1 December 2025. Drawing on case studies from across Europe, the report follows how regional administrations are approaching implementation.
The maturity gap and collective governance
One of the report’s central observations is the difference between agricultural and craft GIs. Agricultural products and wine benefit from well-established producer organisations and administrative support. Craft producers rarely do. Most workshops operate independently, making the EU application process difficult to navigate. To address this, the report recommends that regional authorities support the creation of formal producer associations.
The Design & Crafts Council Ireland is highlighted as one example. The Council provides technical assistance and mentoring to help makers develop production protocols and control mechanisms, giving independent workshops the collective structure needed to complete the application process.
Registration is only the beginning
The report argues that obtaining GI status should not mark the end of public support. Regions that leave registration entirely to producer groups tend to see fewer successful applications and weaker long-term outcomes. Once recognition has been secured, local authorities also have a role in helping products establish themselves economically.
In Poland, regional authorities continue to support Koniaków lace makers after registration, helping a fragmented community manage ongoing administrative requirements while maintaining market visibility. France’s Nouvelle-Aquitaine region has adopted a similar long-term approach through a dedicated strategy supporting crafts, textiles and métiers d’art across its 120 regional GIs.
Data and regional observatories
The report recommends that regional authorities strengthen data collection through dedicated observatories and long-term monitoring. Tracking demographic change, urbanisation and climate impacts would give local governments a clearer picture of how craft sectors are evolving and provide a stronger basis for future policy and investment.
Creating local demand
The study also explores how regional authorities can strengthen craft GIs through procurement and tourism. It points to France’s Loi EGAlim, which requires public institutions to source 50% of their food from sustainable or quality-labelled suppliers, as a model that could be adapted for craft. Municipalities could, for example, prioritise regional workshops and locally produced materials in public buildings and urban furnishing projects.
Tourism offers another route. The report cites the Ribeiro Wine Route in Galicia as an example of protected products being integrated into wider cultural itineraries, an approach the authors believe could readily be applied to craft workshops and heritage trails.
Investing in the next generation
Finally, the report turns to the long-term resilience of the sector. Addressing an ageing workforce will require practical measures such as start-up grants, improved access to land and capital, and stronger support for new entrants. The authors also recommend greater investment in resource efficiency, climate adaptation and local material supply to help craft traditions remain economically and environmentally viable.
image: PandP Studio