Synergy Days 2025
21 & 22 October 2025 – Rotterdam, the Netherlands
Join the most important conference connecting the digital innovators of the European agri-food sector.

When
Join us on 21- 22 October 2025 at De Doelen in Rotterdam for this year's edition!
For the fourth year in a row, bringing our community together to meet, debate, and exchange knowledge.
Contact: event@synergydays.eu
How can my project join?
Boost your project's visibility with 5 free tickets, logo placement on event marketing, GDPR-approved contacts, a project pitch, an exhibition spot, and opportunities for workshops and interviews!
Download Participation Information (2,5MB)
Project registration
Project workshop registration
Sponsorship opportunities
Previous editions
Curious about the previous editions of the Synergy Days? Follow these links to find the agendas, participating projects and other related content of the previous years.
Rotterdam Edition
The Synergy Days is the most important conference connecting the digital innovators of the European agri-food sector.
Hosted by the SmartAgriHubs Community and supported by the AgData partnership, the Synergy Days is your gateway to the latest insights, strategies, and collaborations shaping the digital future of agriculture.
From high-level policy discussions and cutting-edge tech showcases to hands-on workshops and inspiring success stories, the Synergy Days offers a unique platform to connect with EU policymakers, researchers, SMEs, digital innovation hubs, and agri-tech pioneers. Whether you're driving innovation, shaping policy, or scaling solutions, this is the place to be.
Let’s build a smarter, more sustainable agri-food ecosystem - together.

Programme
Day 1, 21 October
08:00 - 08:45
Registration
08:45 - 09.00
Welcome
By Sjaak Wolfert, SmartAgriHubs Community
09:00 - 10:15
Digital innovation ecosystem development in agri-food
This session focuses on building sustainable digital innovation ecosystems in the agri-food sector by reducing fragmentation and improving coordination among EU and national projects, European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs), and stakeholders. It explores how policy, academia, clusters, SMEs, and innovation hubs can align efforts to support effective resource use and ecosystem development. Through two panels, one on policy and academic insights, and another on practical responses from clusters and EDIHs, the session aims to identify strategies and successful practices that foster collaboration and long-term impact in agri-food digitalisation.
A list of speakers will be announced soon, but we will feature a diverse panel of high-level speakers who are shaping the future of digital innovation in the agri-food sector. Expected contributors include EU policy and strategy leaders from DG AGRI, DG CONNECT, or EISMEA, who will provide insights into the European vision for digital transformation. Joining them are experienced coordinators of successful European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs), particularly those active in agri-food, who will share practical lessons from the field. Academic experts specializing in innovation ecosystems and agri-tech strategy will offer research-based perspectives, while regional cluster leaders will highlight how local initiatives are driving systemic change. The session will also spotlight SME and startup innovators who have directly benefited from EDIH support, bringing real-world impact stories to the discussion.
10.15 - 10.45
Project pitches I
10:45 - 11:15
Break
11:15 - 12:45
Synergy workshops I
This year, we are bringing together 21 interactive workshops that dive into the most pressing challenges and exciting innovations in the agri-food sector. Explore them here.
12:45 - 14:00
Lunch break & Synergy market
Lunch will be served in the exhibition area where you can engage with the projects and other participants to create synergies.
14:00 - 15:00
How can professionalisation in European agriculture drive digitalisation? The role of stakeholders in supporting skills, organisational change, and trust in data governance.
This session explores how professionalisation in European agriculture can accelerate digitalisation by enhancing skills, organisational capacity, and trust in data governance. It highlights the role of stakeholders - policy-makers, advisors, tech providers, and farmers - in supporting continuous learning, ethical data use, and collaboration. Set within the context of EU policies like the CAP and Green Deal, the discussion aims to identify gaps and share best practices to ensure inclusive, human-centred digital transformation in the agri-food sector.
Moderator:
Jürgen Vangeyte, Flanders Research Institute for Agriculture Fisheries and Food (ILVO)
Invited speakers:
- Koen Mondelaers, European Commision - DG AGRI (to be confirmed)
- Peter Meedendorp, European Council of Young Farmers (CEJA) (to be confirmed)
- Ivo Hostens, European Agricultural Machinery Association (CEMA)
15:00 - 15:30
Project pitches II
15:30 - 16:00
Break
16:00 - 17:30
Synergy workshops II
This year, we are bringing together 21 interactive workshops that dive into the most pressing challenges and exciting innovations in the agri-food sector. Explore them here.
Day 2, 22 October
08:15 - 08:45
Registration
08:45 - 09:00
Looking back and ahead
By Sjaak Wolfert, SmartAgriHubs Community
09:00 - 10:15
Pooling resources: Strengthening the European competitiveness on the digital transformation in agri-food
This session will explore how Europe can pool its digital resources to enhance competitiveness in the global agri-food landscape. How can we align regional innovation with the EU’s strategic vision? What role can institutions like WUR and FAO play in scaling impact beyond borders? And how can Europe position itself as a global leader in sustainable, digitally-enabled agriculture? What will be the role of the AgData partnership?
Moderator:
- Prof. Dr. Joost de Laat, Director, Social Sciences Group, Wageningen University & Research, The Netherlands
Invited Speakers:
- Christophe Hansen, EU Commissioner for Agriculture and Food (to be confirmed)
- Femke Wiersma, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security, and Nature (LVVN) (to be confirmed)
- Sjoukje Heimovaara, President, Wageningen University & Research
- Jesper Stendal Sørensen, AgData Partnership (to be confirmed)
- Representative from FAO, Food and Agriculture Organization (to be confirmed)
10:15 - 10:45
Project pitches III
10:45 - 11:15
Break
11:15 - 12:45
Synergy workshops III
This year, we are bringing together 21 interactive workshops that dive into the most pressing challenges and exciting innovations in the agri-food sector. Explore them here.
12:45 - 14:00
Lunch break & Synergy market
Lunch will be served in the exhibition area where you can engage with the projects and other participants to create synergies.
14:00 - 15:00
Data Spaces, Data Economy and Digital Twins, AI
This session explores how digital technologies - Data Spaces, Digital Twins, and Artificial Intelligence - are transforming agriculture. It emphasises the importance of cross-domain collaboration and integrating insights from diverse fields to create innovative, effective solutions. Beyond technology, the session highlights the vital role of people, farmers, researchers, and communities, in driving meaningful digital change. By adopting a holistic approach, the discussion aims to demonstrate how these advancements can boost productivity, support sustainability, and build a resilient agricultural ecosystem. The objective is to provide practical insights that align technological innovation with real-world agricultural needs and stakeholder engagement.
Moderator:
· Harald Sundmaeker, Institute for Applied System Technologies (ATB Bremen)
Invited speakers:
- · Anneleen de Visscher, Coordinator of the Common European Agricultural Data Space (CEADS)
- · Francesco Iadecola, European Commission, Research Programme Officer, DG-AGRI
- · Dolores Ordóñez, Coordinator of the Common European Data Space for Tourism (DEPLOYTOUR)
- · Slawi Stesny, Agricultural Industry Electronics Foundation (AEF)
15:00 - 15:30
Empowering women entrepreneurs in agri-tech
This dynamic session unpacks pivotal strategies that propel women into the forefront of agri-tech. We explore how to shatter barriers by improving access to vital funding, robust mentorship, and cutting-edge technology. The conversation sparks innovative solutions, highlighting the critical need to cultivate inclusive ecosystems. We celebrate inspiring success stories, showcasing tangible ways women entrepreneurs are revolutionizing agriculture and driving sustainable growth.