From 28 September to 2 October 2026, the ITC FOOD project will bring together project partners, Italian SMEs and local agri-food and agritourism businesses for a study visit across Albania and Montenegro.

The study visit is part of ITC FOOD – Innovative Training and Competences in agri FOOD (SA-0300372) and will focus on knowledge exchange, networking, B2B cooperation and the discovery of local agri-food and agritourism businesses.

In Albania, the mission is coordinated by Spoonbill Nest Innovation Center (SNIC), while the Montenegro programme is coordinated by Regional Development Agency Ulcinj Business Association (RDA-UBA).
Exploring Albania’s agri-food and agritourism sector
The first two days of the study visit will take participants through Elbasan and Lezhë, showcasing local businesses, traditional products and different approaches to agritourism.

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Albania · SNIC · Day 1–2 AGENDA

Day 1 · Agroturizëm Te Arrat — Cërrik · 13.30-15:00

Day 1 DeviseLD- Gjergjan -15:15- 16:30

Day 1 · Doci— Papër · olive mill 17:00–18:30

Day 1 · Via Egnatia — Elbasan · 19:00–21:00

Day 2 · Kantina Arbëri — Mirditë · 13:00–15:00

Day 2 · Mrizi i Zanave — Fishtë · B2B Dinner

Montenegro · RDA-UBA · Day 3–4

Day 3 · Ulcinj Salina — 09:15–10:30

Day 3 · Naša Bašta VOLI — Šas · 11:00–12:15

Day 3 · Kantina Milović — Briska Gora · 13:45–16:30

Day 4 · Agrumi Ulcinj — Štoj · 09:00–10:30

Day 4 · Golden Drop — Pistula · 10:40–12:00

Day 4 · Ada Bojana 12:30–15:30 · Kulla e Balshajve 19:30– 22:00 Dinner

Day 1 – Elbasan
The programme begins on 28 September with the arrival of the Italian partners and SMEs at Tirana International Airport, followed by a transfer to Elbasan.
The first project meeting and the 2nd Project Steering Committee will take place at Real Skampis, Elbasan, focusing on the objectives, expected outcomes, roles and coordination of the incoming mission.
The group will then visit Agroturizëm Te Arrat in Cërrik. The visit will include a light lunch and an introduction to a family agritourism model based on local production, hospitality and farm-to-table experiences.
The programme will continue with a study visit to DeviselD in Gjergjan. Participants will explore the business model, local products, production processes, market positioning, challenges and opportunities for cooperation with Italian SMEs.
The next stop will be Doci Olive Oil Factory in Papër, where participants will learn about olive oil production and explore topics including local products, packaging and potential cooperation opportunities.
The day will conclude with a joint dinner at Agroturizëm Via Egnatia in Elbasan County. The dinner will also provide an informal introduction to the local agritourism scene and the farm-to-table experience of the region.

Day 2 – Mirditë and Lezhë
On 29 September, the programme will continue towards Kantina Arbëri in Mirditë.
The visit will introduce participants to the winery and its vineyards, the wine production process, quality standards, packaging and branding practices. A guided tasting and discussion on possible cooperation with agritourism businesses and Italian SMEs will also be part of the programme.
The group will then travel towards Fishtë, Lezhë, for a B2B and exchange session at Mrizi i Zanave.
The session will bring together Italian SMEs, Albanian agri-food and agritourism businesses and Montenegrin SMEs, with discussions focusing on cooperation opportunities, promoting local products through tourism experiences, business needs and challenges, and potential partnerships.
The Albanian part of the mission will conclude with the transfer to Ulcinj, Montenegro, where the programme will continue on 30 September.
Discovering Montenegro’s local production and agritourism
The Montenegro programme will take place on 30 September and 1 October 2026, focusing on businesses and territorial resources in Ulcinj and Šas.

Day 3 – Ulcinj and Šas
The day will begin with an official opening by RDA-UBA, introducing the role of agri-food and agritourism in Ulcinj and the role of RDA-UBA within the ITC FOOD project.
Participants will then visit Ulcinj Salina, exploring its salt heritage, wetlands and birdwatching potential as territorial resources connected to sustainable tourism and the green positioning of local SMEs.
The programme continues at Naša Bašta – VOLI in Šas, where participants will discover modern greenhouse production and a short supply chain connecting agricultural production with retail.
The afternoon will be dedicated to Kantina Milović in Briska Gora. The visit will focus on wine production, quality, branding and opportunities for cooperation between Italian, Albanian and Montenegrin SMEs.
The day will also include a project coordination meeting covering topics such as the WP1 questionnaire findings, cluster ideas, the WP2 e-learning platform and project reporting.

Day 4 – Citrus, olive oil and fish-based agritourism
On 1 October, participants will visit Udruženje Agrumi Ulcinj in Štoj, an association representing approximately 100 citrus growers and around 300,000 mandarin trees. The visit will include the citrus plantations and packing facilities, providing an insight into the business model, production process, market position and opportunities for cooperation.
The next stop will be Golden Drop in Pistull, where participants will be introduced to olive oil production and the local olive-growing sector.
The programme will then continue to Ada Bojana, a river-delta island south of Ulcinj known for traditional river fishing and fish-based agritourism. Participants will experience the connection between local catch, traditional cuisine and tourism.
In the afternoon, participants will take part in a Training & Exchange Workshop focused on the finalisation of training modules. The workshop will address four main themes:
• Digital tools for agri-food SMEs
• Sustainable practices and traceability
• Agritourism and market access
• Training formats and the needs of local SMEs
The findings will contribute to the adjustment of the ITC FOOD training modules.
The day will conclude with a short visit to the Old Town of Ulcinj, followed by a joint dinner at Kulla e Balshajve.
A final stop in Tirana
The final day of the programme, 2 October, will take participants back to Tirana.
The day will include a Tirana Walking Tour, starting at Skanderbeg Square and introducing participants to the city’s history, monuments and urban culture. The tour will continue through the city’s main landmarks, including the National Library, National Theatre, Tirana Castle, New Bazaar and Bllok area, highlighting both historical and modern aspects of Tirana.
Participants will then have free time to explore Tirana before transferring to Tirana International Airport for their return flight to Italy.

Connecting businesses, knowledge and opportunities
The ITC FOOD Study Visit is more than a series of business visits. It creates a space where agri-food SMEs, agritourism businesses, project partners and international participants can meet, exchange experiences and explore opportunities for cooperation.
From family-run farms and wineries to olive oil producers, citrus growers, modern greenhouse production and tourism businesses, the programme highlights the diversity of the agri-food and agritourism sectors across Albania and Montenegro.
Through study visits, B2B meetings, networking sessions and training activities, the mission aims to strengthen connections between local enterprises and international partners while contributing to new ideas, knowledge exchange and future cooperation.
The ITC FOOD Study Visit brings together businesses, people and ideas across the Adriatic, creating new opportunities for cooperation and strengthening the connection between agri-food, tourism and local development.

From 28 September to 2 October 2026, the ITC FOOD project will bring together project partners, Italian SMEs and local agri-food and agritourism businesses for a study visit across Albania and Montenegro.

The study visit is part of ITC FOOD – Innovative Training and Competences in agri FOOD (SA-0300372) and will focus on knowledge exchange, networking, B2B cooperation and the discovery of local agri-food and agritourism businesses.

In Albania, the mission is coordinated by Spoonbill Nest Innovation Center (SNIC), while the Montenegro programme is coordinated by Regional Development Agency Ulcinj Business Association (RDA-UBA).
Exploring Albania’s agri-food and agritourism sector
The first two days of the study visit will take participants through Elbasan and Lezhë, showcasing local businesses, traditional products and different approaches to agritourism.

———————————————————-

Albania · SNIC · Day 1–2 AGENDA

Day 1 · Agroturizëm Te Arrat — Cërrik · 13.30-15:00

Day 1 DeviseLD- Gjergjan -15:15- 16:30

Day 1 · Doci— Papër · olive mill 17:00–18:30

Day 1 · Via Egnatia — Elbasan · 19:00–21:00

Day 2 · Kantina Arbëri — Mirditë · 13:00–15:00

Day 2 · Mrizi i Zanave — Fishtë · B2B Dinner

Montenegro · RDA-UBA · Day 3–4

Day 3 · Ulcinj Salina — 09:15–10:30

Day 3 · Naša Bašta VOLI — Šas · 11:00–12:15

Day 3 · Kantina Milović — Briska Gora · 13:45–16:30

Day 4 · Agrumi Ulcinj — Štoj · 09:00–10:30

Day 4 · Golden Drop — Pistula · 10:40–12:00

Day 4 · Ada Bojana 12:30–15:30 · Kulla e Balshajve 19:30– 22:00 Dinner

Day 1 – Elbasan
The programme begins on 28 September with the arrival of the Italian partners and SMEs at Tirana International Airport, followed by a transfer to Elbasan.
The first project meeting and the 2nd Project Steering Committee will take place at Real Skampis, Elbasan, focusing on the objectives, expected outcomes, roles and coordination of the incoming mission.
The group will then visit Agroturizëm Te Arrat in Cërrik. The visit will include a light lunch and an introduction to a family agritourism model based on local production, hospitality and farm-to-table experiences.
The programme will continue with a study visit to DeviselD in Gjergjan. Participants will explore the business model, local products, production processes, market positioning, challenges and opportunities for cooperation with Italian SMEs.
The next stop will be Doci Olive Oil Factory in Papër, where participants will learn about olive oil production and explore topics including local products, packaging and potential cooperation opportunities.
The day will conclude with a joint dinner at Agroturizëm Via Egnatia in Elbasan County. The dinner will also provide an informal introduction to the local agritourism scene and the farm-to-table experience of the region.

Day 2 – Mirditë and Lezhë
On 29 September, the programme will continue towards Kantina Arbëri in Mirditë.
The visit will introduce participants to the winery and its vineyards, the wine production process, quality standards, packaging and branding practices. A guided tasting and discussion on possible cooperation with agritourism businesses and Italian SMEs will also be part of the programme.
The group will then travel towards Fishtë, Lezhë, for a B2B and exchange session at Mrizi i Zanave.
The session will bring together Italian SMEs, Albanian agri-food and agritourism businesses and Montenegrin SMEs, with discussions focusing on cooperation opportunities, promoting local products through tourism experiences, business needs and challenges, and potential partnerships.
The Albanian part of the mission will conclude with the transfer to Ulcinj, Montenegro, where the programme will continue on 30 September.
Discovering Montenegro’s local production and agritourism
The Montenegro programme will take place on 30 September and 1 October 2026, focusing on businesses and territorial resources in Ulcinj and Šas.

Day 3 – Ulcinj and Šas
The day will begin with an official opening by RDA-UBA, introducing the role of agri-food and agritourism in Ulcinj and the role of RDA-UBA within the ITC FOOD project.
Participants will then visit Ulcinj Salina, exploring its salt heritage, wetlands and birdwatching potential as territorial resources connected to sustainable tourism and the green positioning of local SMEs.
The programme continues at Naša Bašta – VOLI in Šas, where participants will discover modern greenhouse production and a short supply chain connecting agricultural production with retail.
The afternoon will be dedicated to Kantina Milović in Briska Gora. The visit will focus on wine production, quality, branding and opportunities for cooperation between Italian, Albanian and Montenegrin SMEs.
The day will also include a project coordination meeting covering topics such as the WP1 questionnaire findings, cluster ideas, the WP2 e-learning platform and project reporting.

Day 4 – Citrus, olive oil and fish-based agritourism
On 1 October, participants will visit Udruženje Agrumi Ulcinj in Štoj, an association representing approximately 100 citrus growers and around 300,000 mandarin trees. The visit will include the citrus plantations and packing facilities, providing an insight into the business model, production process, market position and opportunities for cooperation.
The next stop will be Golden Drop in Pistull, where participants will be introduced to olive oil production and the local olive-growing sector.
The programme will then continue to Ada Bojana, a river-delta island south of Ulcinj known for traditional river fishing and fish-based agritourism. Participants will experience the connection between local catch, traditional cuisine and tourism.
In the afternoon, participants will take part in a Training & Exchange Workshop focused on the finalisation of training modules. The workshop will address four main themes:
• Digital tools for agri-food SMEs
• Sustainable practices and traceability
• Agritourism and market access
• Training formats and the needs of local SMEs
The findings will contribute to the adjustment of the ITC FOOD training modules.
The day will conclude with a short visit to the Old Town of Ulcinj, followed by a joint dinner at Kulla e Balshajve.
A final stop in Tirana
The final day of the programme, 2 October, will take participants back to Tirana.
The day will include a Tirana Walking Tour, starting at Skanderbeg Square and introducing participants to the city’s history, monuments and urban culture. The tour will continue through the city’s main landmarks, including the National Library, National Theatre, Tirana Castle, New Bazaar and Bllok area, highlighting both historical and modern aspects of Tirana.
Participants will then have free time to explore Tirana before transferring to Tirana International Airport for their return flight to Italy.

Connecting businesses, knowledge and opportunities
The ITC FOOD Study Visit is more than a series of business visits. It creates a space where agri-food SMEs, agritourism businesses, project partners and international participants can meet, exchange experiences and explore opportunities for cooperation.
From family-run farms and wineries to olive oil producers, citrus growers, modern greenhouse production and tourism businesses, the programme highlights the diversity of the agri-food and agritourism sectors across Albania and Montenegro.
Through study visits, B2B meetings, networking sessions and training activities, the mission aims to strengthen connections between local enterprises and international partners while contributing to new ideas, knowledge exchange and future cooperation.
The ITC FOOD Study Visit brings together businesses, people and ideas across the Adriatic, creating new opportunities for cooperation and strengthening the connection between agri-food, tourism and local development.