Based in Slovenia, ITC Cluster is a dynamic non-profit research organisation committed to driving innovation, digitalisation, and sustainability in the agri-food sector. With a strong regional presence and a growing European footprint, ITC plays a pivotal role in connecting stakeholders across disciplines and borders to co-create solutions for tomorrow’s food systems.

In the ROTATES project, ITC brings a wealth of experience and strategic capabilities that directly support the project’s mission to enhance agrobiodiversity and ecosystem services through minor root and tuber crops (MRT).

What ITC Brings to ROTATES:

• Expertise in the Multi-Actor Approach (MAA)
  ITC ensures that innovation processes are inclusive, participatory, and grounded in the realities of farmers, SMEs, researchers, and local communities. Their approach guarantees that solutions are not only technically sound but socially accepted and economically viable.
• Leadership in Living Labs & Pilot Coordination
  With a proven track record in designing and managing Living Labs, ITC facilitates stakeholder engagement, co-creation workshops, and knowledge exchange platforms. Their methods foster trust, creativity, and shared ownership of innovation outcomes.
• A Strategic Connector Across Europe
  ITC serves as a bridge between small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), research institutions, and public authorities, enabling cross-sector collaboration and policy alignment. Their networks span agriculture, food tech, digital innovation, and regional development.
• Catalyst for Smart Regional Development
  Through EU-funded projects and regional initiatives, ITC has demonstrated its ability to stimulate business growth, support digital transformation, and promote sustainable practices in rural and peri-urban areas.

Their Mission

“Innovating for sustainable agri-food systems through collaboration and technology.”
This guiding principle aligns seamlessly with ROTATES’ goals of fostering agroecological transitions, diversifying European agrosystems, and unlocking new value chains for MRT crops.

As a key partner in ROTATES, ITC will contribute to the deployment of agroecological practices, the design of inclusive innovation pathways, and the promotion of MRT crops through stakeholder-driven pilots and regional outreach.