The BEDARBIDE Association, which brings together local livestock farmers, has been working for years to improve the profitability of livestock farms. Its objective is twofold: to ensure the economic viability of those currently engaged in this activity and to leave a solid sector for future generations. To this end, they have focused their efforts on reducing production costs and promoting short marketing channels, bringing the product directly to the consumer.

However, during this process they have faced significant obstacles, especially the lack of nearby infrastructure for meat processing, which has made it difficult to meet the demand from consumers committed to local consumption and nostalgic for the traditional meat products that were once produced in local butcher's shops.

To overcome this shortcoming, BEDARBIDE has promoted the creation of the BELARDI meat processing centre (opened in September 2024). This centre represents a significant change in the local food ecosystem, as it completes the meat value chain and revives projects that were previously unviable.

The project is being developed under a cooperative model with the participation of:

• BEDARBIDE Elkartea
• LEARTIKER S.COOP
• ATEZABAL koop.txikia
• Endika Ejejalde (farmer and butcher)

• Identification and definition of the new BELARDI product range
• Development of new meat products
• Evaluation and validation of product quality
• Dissemination and communication of the project