The ITC FOOD – Innovative Training and Competences in Agri‑Food project is a new landmark initiative promoting advanced education and cooperation in the agri‑food sector across Italy, Albania, and Montenegro. Launched in Bari, Italy, this cross‑border effort is funded through the Interreg IPA South Adriatic 2021‑2027 Programme and aims to strengthen shared growth and innovation in the region’s agricultural economy.

Uniting Countries for Shared Growth

ITC FOOD brings together universities, research centers, public institutions, and private enterprises from both sides of the Adriatic Sea to tackle common challenges in agri‑food production. With a central objective of fostering cooperation and knowledge exchange, the project addresses key obstacles faced by small and medium‑sized enterprises — such as limited access to advanced training, gaps in digital skills, difficulty expanding into international markets, and an ongoing ecological transition.

Advanced Training and Digital Knowledge Sharing

One of the core goals of ITC FOOD is to create learning opportunities through high‑level training courses that are both online and in‑person. These courses — developed with contributions from universities and scientific research hubs — focus on essential topics like digitalisation, circular economy, energy efficiency, and sustainable resource management.

At the heart of the project is the creation of a digital training platform that allows businesses in Italy, Albania, and Montenegro to access resources and connect across borders. This online hub helps standardize training opportunities and introduces new ways for enterprises to share best practices and build competencies.

Building Agri‑Food Clusters and Networks

Beyond education, the ITC FOOD initiative supports the establishment of agri‑food clusters — collaborative groupings of producers, research institutions, and public authorities. These clusters will operate locally and transnationally to serve as focal points for territorial development, technology transfer, and entrepreneurial cooperation. By facilitating shared experiences and innovation, these networks aim to strengthen the competitiveness of the entire South Adriatic agri‑food region.

Innovation at the Core

The innovative strength of ITC FOOD lies in its holistic integration of skills development, digital transformation, and sustainability goals. Rather than focusing on isolated solutions, the project tackles systemic barriers through collaborative action — making cross‑border cooperation itself a driver of change and progress.

Pasquale Redavid, President of the GAL Sud Est Barese — the lead partner in the initiative — described ITC FOOD as a true laboratory for Adriatic agri‑food innovation, leveraging years of experience in strengthening agriculture and research networks.
Source: https://www.rainews.it/tgr/puglia/articoli/2025/11/albania-e-montenegro-a-scuola-di-agroalimentare-cfa637d1-1274-410a-a17f-766f6d1b048a.html

The ITC FOOD – Innovative Training and Competences in Agri‑Food project is a new landmark initiative promoting advanced education and cooperation in the agri‑food sector across Italy, Albania, and Montenegro. Launched in Bari, Italy, this cross‑border effort is funded through the Interreg IPA South Adriatic 2021‑2027 Programme and aims to strengthen shared growth and innovation in the region’s agricultural economy.

Uniting Countries for Shared Growth

ITC FOOD brings together universities, research centers, public institutions, and private enterprises from both sides of the Adriatic Sea to tackle common challenges in agri‑food production. With a central objective of fostering cooperation and knowledge exchange, the project addresses key obstacles faced by small and medium‑sized enterprises — such as limited access to advanced training, gaps in digital skills, difficulty expanding into international markets, and an ongoing ecological transition.

Advanced Training and Digital Knowledge Sharing

One of the core goals of ITC FOOD is to create learning opportunities through high‑level training courses that are both online and in‑person. These courses — developed with contributions from universities and scientific research hubs — focus on essential topics like digitalisation, circular economy, energy efficiency, and sustainable resource management.

At the heart of the project is the creation of a digital training platform that allows businesses in Italy, Albania, and Montenegro to access resources and connect across borders. This online hub helps standardize training opportunities and introduces new ways for enterprises to share best practices and build competencies.

Building Agri‑Food Clusters and Networks

Beyond education, the ITC FOOD initiative supports the establishment of agri‑food clusters — collaborative groupings of producers, research institutions, and public authorities. These clusters will operate locally and transnationally to serve as focal points for territorial development, technology transfer, and entrepreneurial cooperation. By facilitating shared experiences and innovation, these networks aim to strengthen the competitiveness of the entire South Adriatic agri‑food region.

Innovation at the Core

The innovative strength of ITC FOOD lies in its holistic integration of skills development, digital transformation, and sustainability goals. Rather than focusing on isolated solutions, the project tackles systemic barriers through collaborative action — making cross‑border cooperation itself a driver of change and progress.

Pasquale Redavid, President of the GAL Sud Est Barese — the lead partner in the initiative — described ITC FOOD as a true laboratory for Adriatic agri‑food innovation, leveraging years of experience in strengthening agriculture and research networks.
Source: https://www.rainews.it/tgr/puglia/articoli/2025/11/albania-e-montenegro-a-scuola-di-agroalimentare-cfa637d1-1274-410a-a17f-766f6d1b048a.html