On 28 May 2025, the EIT Community Hub Albania hosted Harvesting Innovation – EIT Food & RIS Roadmap Consultation Albania.
The event took place at the Xheko Imperial Hotel in Tirana. Its goal was simple: speed up innovation in Albania’s agri-food sector.
The Hub worked to connect local actors with EIT Food and the wider European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT).
Since its launch in February 2025, the Hub has become a gateway to Europe. It gives universities, startups, and institutions access to:
- Funding
- Mentorship
- Cross-European networks
Event Agenda
The day was split into four sessions:
1. Opening Remarks
- Set the goals of the event
- Shared EIT Food’s role in Europe
- Looked at Albania’s agri-food policy
- Reviewed EU support tools
2. Empowering Local Innovation
- Showcased success stories from Albania
- Linked innovators to EU programmes
- Focus on nutrition, science-based startups, and women-led agri-businesses
3. Tackling Innovation Gaps
- Case studies from Albanian agribusinesses
- Focus on:
- Production
- Circular economy models
- Smart agriculture
4. Aligning Strategies
- Open talks with stakeholders
- Goal: match Albania’s smart specialisation plans with EIT Food programmes
- Defined priority areas for future collaboration
Who Took Part
The event gathered leaders from:
- Academia
- Government
- Business
- International partners like:
- EU Delegation in Albania
- EIT Food
- EU4Innovation
- UNIDO
- GIZ
- Agricultural University of Tirana
Why It Matters
This meeting was more than a talk. It gave Albania’s agri-food sector a direct link to Europe. Stakeholders could:
- Share challenges
- Find new opportunities
- Shape the future of food innovation
By joining the EIT Food community, Albania can strengthen its place in Europe’s agri-food value chain.
The Harvesting Innovation consultation was a turning point. It showed how Albania can build stronger ties with EIT Food and the EIT ecosystem.
With new connections, shared knowledge, and clear strategies, Albania is ready to grow its agri-food innovation sector—for today and for the future.
👉 Learn more about EIT Food and the EIT Regional Innovation Scheme (EIT RIS).