The final conference of the TESTEAT project
15/06/2026
Hosted by the City of Venice, the final conference of the TESTEAT project has successfully concluded. This cross-border initiative (Interreg Italy-Croatia) is dedicated to the enhancement and protection of the eno-gastronomic heritage of the Adriatic area. On June 10th and 11th, 2026, the beautiful setting of Venice and the spaces of the Centro Culturale Don Orione Artigianelli hosted project partners, institutions, and industry experts to take stock of the results achieved and outline future strategies for sustainable development.
Synergy and Cross-Border Cooperation
The event kicked off on the afternoon of Wednesday, June 10th, with the 6th Technical Meeting between project partners and the Steering Committee. This was a fundamental working session to coordinate the final steps of the project and consolidate cooperative ties, culminating in a joint dinner focused on networking and sharing common visions for the future of the Adriatic macro-region.
Thursday, June 11th: Results, the SAOR Festival, and the Project Manifesto
Thursday, June 11th, was entirely dedicated to the Final Conference—a high-level stage featuring a dense agenda of interventions from institutional representatives and technical experts. The first part of the day was moderated by Paola Ravenna (Director of the European Policies Sector of the City of Venice).
Following participant registration and institutional greetings by Paola Ravenna herself, Igor Merlić (Director of the Istrian Rural Development Agency - AZRRI), and Ezio Pinzan (Regional Minister for Agriculture, Forestry, Hunting, Fisheries, and Water Management of the Region of Istria), the core sessions began, focusing on the pillars of the project:
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Sustainable and Inclusive Tourism: Jasenka Kapuralin (AZRRI) illustrated the core results of the TESTEAT project, highlighting how eno-gastronomy can transform into an engine for inclusion and low-environmental-impact tourism.
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Local Identity and Promotion: Attention then shifted to the SAOR Food Festival, a model event dedicated to food, wine, and local cultural identity. This was discussed by Maurizio Carlin (City of Venice) and Federico Corrà (Food Expert and SAOR Consultant).
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Research and Professional Skills: Moderated by Michela Castiglione (Civiform), the subsequent panel discussion focused on developing skills for a more sustainable and authentic gastronomy. The debate included contributions from Francesca Checchinato (Ca' Foscari University of Venice), Anica Dobran Černjul (University of Pula), Kristina N. Vujanović (DURA Dubrovnik Development Agency), and Lorena Sassi (SCF - Scuola Centrale Formazione).
The next session, titled "Sustainable and Inclusive Flavors: Italian and Croatian Gastronomic Heritage," was moderated by Christine Mauracher (Ca' Foscari University of Venice). This round table fostered a rich exchange among various local entities and trade associations:
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Blanka Sinčić Pulić (Sensory Analysts Association “Gustus”), Cristian Sedran (Tourist and Commercial District of the Natisone Valley “Corte Natisonis”),Alessia Battaglia (Serra dei Giardini), Đani Banovac (Dubrovnik Association for Hospitality and Tourism), Giovanni Frasson (Eat's different), Federico Riccato (Itticosostenibile)
Following this, the perspective broadened to cooperation and territorial networks with a focus on "Synergies in the Adriatic Area: the MEDS GARDEN+ project," which featured contributions from Maria Lorenzini (SCF - Scuola Centrale Formazione) and Stefania Michelutti (Civiform).
To wrap up the morning sessions, strategic synergies with other active initiatives in the Adriatic area were explored (including the involvement of the Mayor of Ston). Additionally, "TESTEAT Strategy and Manifesto: A Framework for Sustainable and Inclusive Gastronomy" was officially presented by Erica Croce and Giovanni Perri (Meridies). These formal acts will guide the future territorial enhancement policies of the partners involved. The document represents the formal and political legacy of the project, offering concrete guidelines for the future positioning of the Adriatic area.
After a Q&A session, the institutional conclusions were entrusted to Silvia Comiati (Director of the Italy-Croatia Managing Authority), who spoke on "Interreg Italy-Croazia: Strengthening Cross-Border Cooperation for the Future," reaffirming the strategic importance of projects like TESTEAT within the framework of European funding.
Site Visit
Following a light lunch featuring local flavors, the conference moved outside the halls of the Don Orione Center. The afternoon was dedicated to a site visit, providing a unique opportunity for participants to experience firsthand the excellence and best practices of the Venetian territory. This concluded a successful two-day event that lays solid foundations for the future of Adriatic eno-gastronomy.