Category: Report
State: Current
Deadline 4 September 2026 - Workshop scheduled in late September

Call for participants | Workshop "Materia Cubana"

Applications are now open for "Materia Cubana: Exploring the Rituals of Coffee & Agro-Food Culture", a design workshop that places design at the core of systemic innovation.
The program is part of the broader international cooperation initiative "Avenida Italia", aimed at fostering knowledge exchange and innovation between Italian and Cuban organizations.

The workshop is based on the idea that limitations are not barriers, but active conditions capable of generating innovation. Participants will explore the convergence between Cuban resilience and the Italian systemic design approach, integrating sustainability, material experimentation, and contemporary storytelling.

The focus of this first edition is on the rituals of coffee and agro-food culture, investigating how objects, tools, and shared consumption practices can generate new social and cultural meanings and strengthen collective identities.

Selected students will work on four key pillars:

  1. Tool Innovation: developing new objects and products for everyday food-related rituals.
  2. Sustainable Packaging: creating place-based solutions that optimize logistics and product preservation.
  3. Experiences and Social Interaction: exploring new ways of experiencing hospitality and food sharing.
  4. Storytelling and Identity: designing products capable of communicating local artisanal excellence to international markets.
The workshop offers a unique opportunity for both professional and academic growth:
  • Industrial Connections: collaborations with leading companies in the sector, including BioCuba Caffè and Lavazza.
  • International Display: final projects will be showcased in a dedicated exhibition open to institutions and stakeholders.
  • Academic Credits: successful completion of the workshop grants 3 ECTS credits (75 hours).
Eligibility and Applications
The call is open to a maximum of 10 students enrolled in the 2nd or 3rd year (from September 2026 onward) of the following Bachelor's degree programs:
  • Bachelor's Degree in Sustainable Design for Food Systems (Turin campus).
  • Bachelor's Degree in Design and Communication at Politecnico di Torino.
Important Deadlines
  • Application deadline: Friday, September 4, 2026, at 2:00 PM
  • Selection results notification: Wednesday, September 8, 2026
  • Kick-off meeting and first workshop week: late September 2026
To apply, please fill out the online application form and upload your portfolio at this link:
Application Form

The workshop is coordinated by the Innovation Design Lab in collaboration with Auxilia Foundation, ONDi, and other international partners.