STIV International Training in Sicily: Building Green and Digital Skills for the Future of Viticulture
From 26 to 28 May 2026, the city of Alcamo, Sicily, hosted the International Training in Sicily of the STIV project – Leveraging artificial intelligence to manage a Sustainable Transition In Viticulture (KA220-VET-127F6822).
The training was organised by the Fondazione Comunitaria di Agrigento e Trapani and brought together 24 participants from France, Italy, Spain and Serbia for three days of learning, exchange and field-based activities focused on the green and digital transition of the viticulture sector.
The initiative represented an important opportunity for partners, trainers and participants to strengthen their knowledge on sustainable viticulture, explore the role of digital tools and artificial intelligence, and reflect on new skills needed to support wine-growing communities across Europe.
A European learning experience in Alcamo
Hosted at the Cittadella dei Giovani in Alcamo, the training combined theoretical sessions, practical discussions, study visits and wine tastings. The programme was designed to connect European-level project objectives with the experience of local territories, offering participants the opportunity to learn from experts, exchange practices and discover the Sicilian wine context.
The training was delivered by Dr Antonio La Fata, oenologist with international experience in the wine sector, from vineyard management to winemaking processes. His professional background allowed participants to approach the topics of the training from both a technical and practical perspective, linking innovation, sustainability and the daily challenges faced by wine producers.
Social, digital and environmental transition in viticulture
The first day opened with a module on social transition in viticulture, led by Dr Giuditta Raccuglia, oenologist, technical director of CVA Canicattì and member of the association Le Donne del Vino. Her contribution focused on the role of women in a sector traditionally dominated by men, highlighting the importance of representation, networking and recognition of women’s skills within the wine value chain.
The programme continued with a session dedicated to the digital transition in viticulture, addressing how data, monitoring systems, digital platforms and artificial intelligence can support more informed and sustainable decision-making. The session also included a presentation and demonstration of the STIV platform by Cropt, the Serbian partner of the project, showing how digital innovation can be applied to viticulture.
In the afternoon, participants took part in a study visit, lunch and wine tasting at Alessandro di Camporeale Winery, where they had the opportunity to connect the training contents with a concrete Sicilian production experience.
Exploring sustainable business models and local wine heritage
On the second day, participants focused on the green and energy transition in viticulture, discussing strategies to reduce environmental impact, improve energy efficiency and respond to the challenges of climate change.
A further module addressed new products and business models, opening a discussion on how wine companies can diversify their activities, create value from local identities and develop new opportunities linked to wine tourism, storytelling, cooperation and lifelong learning.
The day continued with a visit to the Enoteca Regionale Sicilia Occidentale, where the group explored the wine heritage of Western Sicily. Participants were also welcomed by the Municipality of Alcamo, which shared insights into the local wine tradition and the strong connection between wine, landscape, identity and community development.
The second day ended with a convivial dinner at Desco, a Sicilian-Tuscan hosteria in Alcamo. The dinner offered participants a further opportunity for informal exchange and cultural discovery, enriched by a wine tasting experience that included labels from Pantelleria, Lombardy and Tuscany. This moment helped broaden the perspective of the training beyond the local context, allowing participants to appreciate different Italian wine traditions and to continue the dialogue on diversity, territories and sustainable wine culture in a more informal setting.
From training to cooperation
The third and final day was dedicated to the evaluation and closing of the training. Participants shared reflections, learning outcomes and perspectives for future cooperation before taking part in a final study visit and wine tasting at Tonnino Winery.
Throughout the three days, the International Training in Sicily created a space for dialogue between different countries, professional backgrounds and wine-growing territories. It supported the exchange of knowledge and good practices on sustainable viticulture, while strengthening the European cooperation dimension of the STIV project.
The training highlighted the importance of combining green skills, digital innovation, vocational education and local knowledge to support a fair and sustainable transition in the wine sector. It also confirmed the value of international cooperation in helping viticulture communities face common challenges such as climate change, market transformation and the need for new professional skills.
The International Training in Sicily was not only a learning activity, but also a concrete step towards the wider objectives of STIV: promoting innovation in vocational education and training, supporting sustainable viticulture and encouraging cooperation among European wine-growing communities.
The project 2024-1-FR01-KA220-VET-000245913 is co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme and the Agence Erasmus+ France / Education et Formation, under Key Action 2 – Partnerships for Cooperation in Vocational Education and Training.