General information
RDP Priority
- P6. Social inclusion and local development
RDP Focus Area
- 6B: Local development
RDP Measure
- M19: LEADER/CLLD
Summary
Cheese production plays a central role in the Woerden area. Thus in 2014, local stakeholders decided to create a cheese academy to provide training for workers and make them employable in the sector and serve as a tourism attraction. Governments, educational organizations and entrepreneurs signed a declaration of intent to work together for that purpose. Support under the LEADER measure supported the conversion of a historic building, into the experience centre. Other activities supported include developing the training programme, creating a network of enterprises and organisations as users of the facility for educational purposes, etc.
Results
The conversion of an old cheese warehouse into the experience centre was completed;
The management organisation as a foundation was set up including volunteers and a coordinator;
In the first year after opening there are at least 2000 paying visitors.

Promoter
Foundation Kaaspakhuis Woerden
Funding
Total budget 402 692 (EUR)
EAFRD 100 000 (EUR)
National/regional 100 000 (EUR)
Private 58 612 (EUR)
Other 144 080 (EUR)
Resources
Documents
gp_nl_cheese_experience_woerden_web.pdf
(PDF – 548.91 KB)
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