The international workshop “Evoolution 2025” took place at Macfrut, promoted by AICS Tirana, the Tecnopolo of Forlì-Cesena, the Emilia-Romagna Agrifood Cluster, and the University of Bologna. The open event aimed to foster collaboration between Italy and Albania for the development of a modern, sustainable, and competitive olive oil value chain.
From the enhancement of native Albanian olive cultivars, such as Kalinjot, to the need for tools ensuring commercial and contractual transparency, the workshop brought together academics, government institutions, and agricultural companies from both countries to outline concrete strategies for shared growth.
Evoolution is a collaborative agri-food platform where scientific research, sensory quality, and technological innovation converge to strengthen the foundations of a productive partnership between two countries in the Adriatic-Ionian macro-region.
Key themes emerging from the discussion included the need for innovative olive mills functioning as multi-service hubs; stronger cooperation among producers; taste education; the creation of territorial brands capable of showcasing the olive biodiversity of the Balkans.
The event also featured a guided tasting panel of Italian and Albanian olive oils, led by experts from the University of Bologna, aimed at promoting a culture of quality and training the next generation of international olive oil tasters.
