In January 2025, FUNDECYT-PCTEX convened 25 key stakeholders from the primary sector for the first regional workshop of the ROBOCOOP-EU Project Living Lab. Held at the Center for Entrepreneurial Innovation in Almendralejo—one of Extremadura’s most significant cities in the wine and olive oil sector—the workshop served as a crucial platform for fostering innovation in the regional bio-based sector.
The event aimed to bring together representatives of the quadruple helix—academia, industry, government, and civil society—within the olive oil, wine, and stone fruit sectors. Participants explored the ROBOCOOP-EU project’s objectives and progress, discussed business model opportunities for the bio-based sector in Extremadura, and engaged in collaborative discussions to drive sector development.
The workshop featured contributions from the University of Extremadura and local project partners, alongside key industry associations such as Cooperativas Agro-alimentarias Extremadura and AFRUEX, the region’s foremost stone-fruit industry association. Also in attendance were representatives from wineries, olive oil cooperatives, bio-based sector engineering companies, and the public sector.
Participants gained insights into the different stages of the project, with a special focus on identifying suitable raw materials for the region and exploring business models best suited to Extremadura’s ecosystem. The session also provided a forum for stakeholders to voice concerns and propose solutions related to logistics, waste management, policies and legislation, and the proactive role of cooperatives and agro-industries in tackling these challenges.
The workshop concluded with a collaborative decision on the focus of the next session, selecting a topic from the Living Lab methodology. Additionally, participants outlined the best ways to maintain communication, share insights, and disseminate project outcomes in the coming months.
This successful gathering marks an important step in the development of a sustainable bio-based sector in Extremadura, reinforcing the commitment of all stakeholders to drive innovation and cooperation within the region.
