On 12 October 2026, the final conference of the BioTech2Agri project, Biotechnology innovation for sustainable and competitive agriculture, was held in Ajdovščina. The event, organised by the Regional Development Agency ROD Ajdovščina in cooperation with the project partners, took place in a hybrid format and brought together representatives of research institutions, businesses and support organisations from both sides of the border.
The conference was opened by Andreja Grom, representative of the Managing Authority of the Interreg Italy–Slovenia Programme, and Jan F. Capuder, representative of the Slovenian National Contact Point of the Programme. Grom highlighted the complexity and high degree of innovation of the project, which required the coordination of different areas of expertise and project partners. The successful implementation of the project provides a concrete example of the results that well-structured cross-border cooperation can achieve. Capuder drew attention to the growing importance of projects that connect research, entrepreneurship and the concrete needs of local areas. Approaches of this kind will also play a significant role in shaping the future programming of European Territorial Cooperation.
During the conference, the partners presented the project’s main results. INFORMEST illustrated the communication and awareness-raising activities on the importance of biotechnology innovation, while FAB FVG presented the results of the first Work Package (WP1), dedicated to identifying the needs of agri-food businesses and mapping the biotechnology solutions available. Particular attention was paid to connecting scientific knowledge with the challenges businesses face in developing new products, improving production processes and reducing environmental impacts.
Venetian Cluster presented the second Work Package (WP2) and the implementation of the Innovation Coins mechanism, which enabled businesses to access specialised advisory services. A total of 26 small and medium-sized enterprises were selected as part of the activities, including 14 Slovenian and 12 Italian companies. The businesses were mainly interested in identifying opportunities for the more efficient use of raw materials and by-products, the development of new products and the introduction of technologies with a lower environmental impact. A practical example involving the valorisation of apple processing waste through the development of higher value-added products was also presented. The example highlighted the importance of assessing the technical and economic feasibility of an innovation before proceeding with its implementation.
The Regional Development Agency ROD Ajdovščina, as Lead Partner of the project and coordinator of the third Work Package (WP3), presented a model for the long-term support of biotechnology innovation. The main result is a ten-point strategy for the creation of a cross-border support system integrating specialised advisory services, access to research infrastructure, mentoring, assessment of business opportunities and funding opportunities. The model is based on cooperation between existing institutions and the integration of the services they provide, with the aim of supporting businesses more effectively along the path from an innovative idea to its practical application. A further significant result is the establishment of a basis for continued cooperation between the project partners and other stakeholders after the conclusion of the project activities.
Finally, LABDERMA presented a business perspective on the development and practical application of innovative solutions, highlighting the importance of specialised expertise, quality and appropriate development processes in the creation of new products.
At the end of the technical session, participants visited the village of Goče and the Pelicon Brewery. The BioTech2Agri project has demonstrated that the successful introduction of innovation requires scientific knowledge to be closely linked to the needs of the business sector. The cross-border partnerships established and the support mechanisms developed provide an important foundation for the future development of an innovative, sustainable and competitive agri-food sector.
The BioTech2Agri project is co-funded by the European Union under the Interreg VI-A Italy–Slovenia Programme.
