Workshop of the HORIZON InnOFoodLABS Project at FZT JU

On 16–17 April 2026, the Faculty of Agriculture and Technology of the University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice (FAT USB) hosted the Baseline workshop of the international HORIZON InnOFoodLABS project, in which the faculty is actively involved. The workshop focused primarily on developing innovations in the processing and marketing of organic food.

The first part of the workshop took place at Sady sv. Prokopa, which serves as one of the twelve living labs within the project. This session focused on the practical applications of innovative approaches and their benefits for organic agriculture.

The second part of the programme was held at FAT USB and also served as the first meeting of the stakeholder community (Community of Practice, CoP). The project InnOFoodLABS was introduced by its coordinator from the University of Kassel together with Assoc. Prof. Jan Moudrý, who acts as the national coordinator of the living labs. Participants were familiarised with the project's main objectives and planned activities.

This was followed by presentations and expert discussions on specific innovations, for example, the processing and marketing of organic potatoes and the implementation of social farming principles into farm operations. An important component of the project is also its research dimension, which focuses on analysing and evaluating the environmental, social, and economic impacts of the implemented innovations.

In addition to project partners, the workshop was attended by representatives of the Ministry of Agriculture, the South Bohemian Region, local action groups, agricultural and food industry stakeholders, and professional organisations such as PRO-BIO, the Czech Technology Platform for Organic Agriculture, and the Association of Social Farming. These stakeholders are involved in the CoP, which will offer seminars, workshops, study visits, and other activities throughout the project.

Those interested in joining the community can register via the form available on the project’s website, where further details about the project can also be found.