12 May 2019, Kolasin, Montenegro - The tradition of herders moving high into the mountains is a long one, and has developed a special culture and customs unique only to the katuns. With help from the United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), Some 100 smallholder farmers from small mountain villages are now reaping the benefits of agro-tourism and getting recognition for preserving centuries-old culinary traditions and a way of life that, elsewhere, has been long abandoned or is slowing dying out. The FAO-EBRD project has linked smallholder farmers, hotel and restaurant owners to local government and tourism agencies to promote their agro-tourism initiatives. It connected farmers with restaurant and hotel owners; trained farmers and chefs in how to store and cook local products to meet the European Unions' hygienic standards, and adapt old recipes for today's use - all with the aim of encouraging locals to keep their traditions alive whilst boosting their incomes and bettering their lives. Elsewhere in the small mountainous villages of northern Montenegro, FAO and EBRD, with funding from Luxembourg, helped farmers get international recognition - Geographical Indication (GI) status - for some of their foods thanks to their high quality and unique production process.