In February 2026, the SIXFOLD community will meet in A Coruña for the fourth study visit of the project, hosted by ITG. Taking place on 25 and 26 February, the visit will focus on one of the most promising, yet challenging, innovation pathways for the agri-food sector: digital twins.
Building on insights gathered during previous SIXFOLD study visits, A Coruña will act as a Living Lab for hands-on exploration, peer learning and co-creation around the barriers that continue to limit the uptake of advanced digital technologies by SMEs and innovation ecosystems.
Why A Coruña?
Located on Spain’s north-west Atlantic coast, A Coruña combines a strong industrial heritage with a dynamic digital and innovation ecosystem. Galicia’s agri-food sector, together with research centres and technology providers, offers a concrete context to explore how digital twins can move from experimental pilots to real-world applications.
Beyond the working sessions, participants will experience a city shaped by history and the sea, from the Tower of Hercules, the world’s oldest operational Roman lighthouse, to a coastline that reflects Galicia’s long-standing relationship with food, fisheries and production systems.
ITG Advanced Experimentation Centre
Focus of the Fourth Study Visit: Digital Twins as a Barrier Case
This fourth study visit places digital twins at the centre of discussion, not as a purely technical solution, but as a socio-technical challenge that requires skills, trust and coordinated action across ecosystems.
Two core barrier themes will structure the discussions and co-creation sessions.
1. Bridging the Skills Gap for Digital Twin Adoption
Participants will explore where skills shortages emerge, from data modelling and analytics to operational use in agri-food settings. The sessions will highlight how Living Labs can function as training and knowledge hubs, supporting upskilling through hands-on learning, partnerships with universities and collaboration with European Digital Innovation Hubs.
2. Data Access, Quality and Cybersecurity
A second focus will address data related challenges. Discussions will examine how to ensure reliable data collection, secure sharing and trust building, while responding to SMEs’ concerns around confidentiality, intellectual property and regulatory compliance. Technical tools, organisational approaches and the enabling role of Living Labs will be discussed.
From Theory to Practice: Visits, Workshops and Co-Creation
The programme combines expert insights with practical experience.
- Visits to ITG Living Labs, including CSA and ITG Advanced Experimentation Centre, showcasing applied digital solutions
- Pitch sessions from agri-food SMEs, sharing concrete needs and expectations
- Co-creation workshops structured around empathising, defining, ideating and testing solutions
- Plenary reflections to consolidate learning and agree on next steps
By working collaboratively, participants will not only identify challenges, but also shape actionable recommendations that can be taken forward in the next phases of the SIXFOLD project.
ITG Capacities
Strengthening the SIXFOLD Ecosystem
As the fourth study visit, the A Coruña meeting represents an important moment in the SIXFOLD journey. It helps consolidate lessons learned so far, validate approaches tested across Living Labs and strengthen collaboration among stakeholders working on digital innovation in food processing.
The outcomes of this visit will feed into future pilots, policy insights and ecosystem recommendations, supporting the wider adoption of trusted and human-centred digital solutions in Europe’s agri-food systems.
