Connecting Europe’s Living Labs

Na twee jaar van samenwerking, grensoverschrijdend leren en praktijkgerichte innovatie komt het SIXFOLD-project samen voor zijn slotconferentie.

Dit tweedaagse evenement brengt het Food Tech Living Lab-netwerk naar het hart van de Nederlandse agrovoedingsregio om te reflecteren op wat werd bereikt, de groei van onze Europese gemeenschap te vieren en de koers uit te zetten voor de volgende stappen. Het evenement brengt Living Lab-medewerkers, onderzoekers, beleidsmakers, clusters en foodtechbedrijven uit heel Europa samen om te verkennen hoe ons netwerk van Living Labs verder kan floreren en hoe het kan dienen als een model om innovatie in de voedingssector te versnellen.

Of je nu vanaf het begin deel hebt uitgemaakt van de SIXFOLD-reis of ons netwerk nu voor het eerst ontdekt: dit is dé plek om te verbinden, te leren en mee vorm te geven aan de toekomst van foodtechinnovatie in Europa.

Programma

Dag 1

22 September - From Living Labs to a European Network

📍 Fletcher Hotel Helmond in North Brabant, Scheepsboulevard 2, 5705 KZ Helmond, Netherlands

11:00

Peer to peer session for Living Labs

An informal networking session exclusively for Living Lab representatives to share experiences, exchange insights and build connections ahead of the main event. This is a closed session for pre-registered Living Lab participants only.

12:45

Arrival and registration

Doors open for participant registration and welcome. Pick up your name badge and event materials, and get settled before the programme begins.

13:30

Opening and welcome

Setting the stage for the day ahead and providing a brief overview of the programme.

13:40

Introducing SIXFOLD – objectives, achievements and key learnings

Project coordinator Markus Ojala (SeAMK) presents an overview of the SIXFOLD project — its core objectives, key achievements to date, and the learnings gathered throughout the journey.

13:55

Living Labs in action

Dr Nele Jantz (TH-OWL) and Karen Casier (Flanders' Food) take participants through the journey of SIXFOLD's Living Labs, showcasing highlights from study visits across partner regions and presenting the real-world barriers the project identified and addressed along the way.

14:15

Barriers & breakthroughs – lessons from the barrier cases

Martin van Rooij (Agrifood Capital) shares an honest account of the challenges encountered across the SIXFOLD barrier cases, reflecting on what worked, what didn't, and the key breakthroughs that shaped the project's approach.

14:45

Coffee break & poster session

Take a break and explore the Living Labs gallery, where participants can browse posters and roll-up displays from SIXFOLD's Living Labs, connect with representatives, and spark conversations.

15:30

From individual labs to a network – towards a joint action plan

A facilitated panel discussion, opened with a short introduction to frame the conversation, exploring how individual Living Labs can come together as a cohesive network and what a shared action plan for the future might look like. 

16:10

What's Next for the European Living Lab Network and Beyond?

Simon Maas (Agrifood Capital) looks ahead to the future of the Living Lab network, exploring opportunities for continued collaboration at national and European level and inviting participants to consider how they can stay connected and build on the momentum of SIXFOLD beyond the project's lifetime.

16:25

Wrap-up

The moderator brings Day 1 to a close with a summary of the key themes and takeaways from the day's sessions, and sets expectations for what participants can look forward to on Day 2.

16:35

New Living Labs & organisations joining the network

A celebratory session welcoming the newest members to the SIXFOLD network, as incoming Living Labs and organisations present short pitches introducing themselves and their ambitions. A moment to mark the growth of the network and look ahead to what the new additions will bring.

17:05

Networking drinks and dinner

Dag 2

23 September — Innovation in Practice

📍Food processing company Bodec, Scheepsboulevard 3, 5705 KZ Helmond, Netherlands

9:15

Welcome coffee

Doors open for Day 2 registration. Grab a coffee, reconnect with fellow participants, and get ready for the day ahead.

9:45

Setting the scene

Markus Ojala (SeAMK) opens Day 2 with a concise recap of the key discussions, insights and outcomes from Day 1.

10:10

Presentation & site visit – Bodec

A presentation and guided tour of Bodec, a specialist in process solutions for food ingredients and biomaterials based in Helmond, the Netherlands. With over 30 years of expertise in extraction, separation and drying technologies, Bodec offers a hands-on look at how innovative food-grade ingredient concepts are developed, scaled and brought to market — a direct and inspiring connection to the Living Lab and food innovation themes of the SIXFOLD project.

12:05

Transfer to Veghel and lunch break

14:05

Group picture

14:15

Presentation & site visit – QING Food Automation Living Lab & The Chocolate Factory

A presentation by QING Food Automation on their Living Lab activities followed by an introduction to The Chocolate Factory and a guided site visit, offering participants a first-hand look at how cutting-edge automation technologies are applied in food production environments. An inspiring showcase of innovation in practice, bridging the gap between research and industry.

15:30

Final reflections

A moment to pause and look back across both days — what we have seen, what has inspired us, and what conversations are still to be had. Participants are invited to share their reflections before concluding remarks and a look ahead to what comes next for the SIXFOLD network.

15:55

Networking drinks