A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed in Hepburn Springs by Melbourne Italian Festival executive director Franca Smarrelli and Swiss Italian Festa president Robert McDonald.

Mr McDonald said the festa had been running for 16 years and had continually been improved and changed to remain very relevant to the community.

"This historic partnership with the Melbourne Italian Festival will give us a great opportunity to promote our festa and our shire in Melbourne under the MIF umbrella," he said.

"The Memorandum of Understanding encourages the two organisations to support each other's programs, seek funding to promote Italian culture, share planning and

marketing ideas and efforts and improve networks between Australia and Italy."

The two organisations will meet at least twice a year to build on the relationship.

The MOU applies for three years and will be reviewed each year.

Mr McDonald said several local businesses wanted to stage events during late May and June as part of the Melbourne Italian Festival.

"Our committee was asked to coordinate the joint advertising, which we did and it was very successful attracting many people to the local events around Hepburn Springs

and Daylesford," he said.

"A fantastic, colourful half-page advertisement prepared by local professionals ran in The Sunday Age and in The Advocate newspapers.

"Our planning for this year's Hepburn Springs Swiss Italian Festa is well advanced and it promises to be very exciting when it runs from October 9 to 18.

"The relationship with the Melbourne Italian Festival will give our festa another boost."