A survey performed in the FRiDGE regions shows consistent results amongst micro- and small SMEs across Europe. 120 companies were asked to identify key challenges related to market innovation and productivity helping the partnership to gain a better understanding of the interregional needs for capacity building.

The internship program in itself is not a new phenomena in Romania. The law regarding the internship programs was born already in 2008. Harghita County Council was the first amongst the county councils countrywide that saw the endless potential behind this opportunity and launched the internship program. It is an outstanding paid opportunity of career start and experience gaining for young people most likely within their field of expertises. 

Harghita County Council participates in the project entitled Local Flavours, within the Interreg Europe program, and axes on the autenthic tourism development through the revival of cultural  „flavours”. Taking into consideration the objectives of the project, in Harghita county the Szekler traditional costume was selected as local „flavour” .

This past weekend marked the 10th anniversary of the Szekler Product (Székely termék) movement. The initiative aims to gather under the Szekler Products trademark high-quality and healthy foods/products made using traditional methods.

An international expert team on environmental conflict management has visited Harghita County Council for the second time on 20 June 2018 to meet local and regional stakeholders related the conflicts on presence and management of brown bear (Ursus arctos).

Harghita County Council, in cooperation with the DAHR – Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Romania, organized an EPP local consultation event, entitled “Common European agricultural policy for the small farmers – EPP Local Dialogue on the future of rural development and agriculture”, that took place on 8th of June 2018 in Miercurea Ciuc. The event was the first EPP local dialogue organized in Romania. It focused on this highly debated issue, based on the fact that the rural development and local agricultural stakeholders need to be the beneficiaries of the next Common Agricultural Policy after 2020 as well. 

The infographics of this matter was made by the Analysis Group of Harghita County Council, and it examines the population of bears, wild damages and hunting quotas. According to a study the optimal number of bears in Harghita County should be 340, while the hunting associations’ estimations show more with 1010 specimens. This matter leads to the fact that bears need to enter populated areas and often encounter people throughout their food-obtaining journeys. Even though these bears run away in these situations, most of the times this encounters end up with attacks.  In Timiș County for example a rate of 16% was approved to be hunted, while in Harghita County this rate was only 3, 9% in the last year’s season.

On 9th November the grinder machine was handed on at Bodogaia, which was brought and given to be used for free for the Domus Foundation by the Association of Waste Management in Harghita County, established by the Harghita County Council.

According to the strategies, Harghita County Council has competences in the fields of culture, youth and economic development.

Harghita County Council has several subordinated institutions, among these: the Agricultural Chamber, which also deals with adult training; the Saint Ann Specialized school, which organizes vocational trainings, like hairdresser; the Popular Art School, where there is also adult training in various fields like: wood carving, Sekler gate carving, design, music, dances, etc; Furthermore The Cultural Center of Harghita County has some accredited adult education programs such us: photographer, training of the trainers, etc.