On November 20-21, 2025 the ITC FOOD, Innovative Training and Competences in Agri-Food, project will be officially launched in Bari-Italy, bringing together partners from Italy Albania and Montenegro to strengthen the competitiveness of agri-food SMEs across the South Adriatic region.

Agri-food SMEs in the region face challenges in accessing advanced training, digital tools, and sustainable practices, limiting their market reach and innovation capacity

The EU-funded ITC FOOD project addresses these gaps through specialized training modules, a digital platform, cross-border knowledge exchange, and pilot projects. It also establishes local and transnational clusters to foster collaboration and innovation.

The project will deliver training programs, launch a digital platform, and activate productive districts and a cross-border consortium. These outputs aim to improve SME competitiveness, promote sustainability, and enhance regional integration.

The ITC FOOD project aims to launch a cross-border digital platform and delivered specialized training modules to over 100 agri-food SMEs across Italy, Albania, and Montenegro.
Through pilot projects and the formation of transnational clusters, the project fostered innovation, improved digital skills, and strengthened regional collaboration.

These efforts directly enhanced SME competitiveness and sustainability in the South Adriatic agri- food sector.

Led by GAL Sud Est Barese (Italy), the partnership includes University of Bari "Aldo Moro" (Italy), Ulcinj Business Association RDA-UBA (Montenegro), National Agency for Employment and Skills NAES (Albania), Sponbill Nest Innovation Center – SNIC (Albania) and Gruppo di Azione Locale Molise Rurale (Italy). Each partner contributes expertise in training, research, technology transfer, SME support, and sustainability.

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