Abstract

Industrial-Urban Symbiosis (I-US) lies at the heart of the Theseus Hub for Circularity (H4C), fostering cooperation between municipalities, regions, and industries in managing resources, waste, energy, water, infrastructures, and networks. This first-of-a-kind initiative in Greece, originating from the Athens/Attica metropolitan area, aims to lead the nation in establishing a robust circular economy model aligned with European strategies under the Processes4Planet (P4P) partnership. The Theseus H4C will validate and implement cutting-edge solutions across water, energy, and materials, leveraging digital and robotic technologies to address regional needs. Its systemic approach integrates innovative governance models and collaboration frameworks, enabling pilot projects, scaling up solutions, and expanding a dynamic ecosystem. By targeting widely impactful material, energy, and water flows, the hub ensures its methodologies can be replicated in other European regions, contributing to climate neutrality by 2050. This ambitious initiative, inspired by the mythical figure of Theseus, positions Athens as a leader in sustainable reform and urban transformation, while creating a blueprint for eco-industrial synergy across Europe.

Abstract

PRIMARY aims to develop and pilot local solutions for the production of food, feed, bio-based materials, bioenergy, and fertilizers by valorizing agricultural biomass feedstocks, including grass, greenhouse and cotton by-products, and olive tree pruning that are currently underutilized and exist in substantial amounts in Europe. The project focuses on North-East Europe (Finland) and South-East Europe (Greece), providing business models and demonstrations in rural areas where pilot and demo plants are rare. PRIMARY works with primary producers and local actors, and pilots six process concepts: 1) separation of protein and fibre rich fractions from grass to produce food/feed and biobased materials, respectively; 2) submerged and 3) solid-state fermentation processes to upcycle the feedstocks to protein rich food and feed ingredients; 4) fibre forming technology to enable production of packaging and construction materials; 5) pelletizing process to solid biofuel for gasification to bioenergy from olive-tree pruning and cotton byproducts; 6) pyrolysis of cotton and olive byproducts to biochar for fertilizer and material applications. The solutions piloted in the project are selected based on cascading use of the feedstocks to find the highest possible value, considering the regional conditions. Sustainability of the new value chains is broadly assessed. To maximise project outcomes and impact, other partners and regions are engaged through an open innovation call to promote the ecosystem for valorizing agricultural biomass, and to show replicability of the project solutions. PRIMARY outcomes, including new processes, products and service concepts, will be communicated via various channels, including a stakeholder platform, to ensure wide exploitation of the solutions. A multi-actor approach is used in the development of processes and replicable business models, and for delivering guidance to farmers and SMEs, and advice to policymakers at national and EU level.

Abstract

The CLIBUS project aims to improve current policy instruments to better support the preconditions of SMEs and business communities to implement energy efficiency and GHG reduction activities. Deepening collaboration with business communities, such as industrial districts, business parks and networks would provide new opportunities to cities and regions in climate actions. CLIBUS aims to improve public authorities’ capability to facilitate and support business sector’s, especially SMEs’, contribution in implementation of climate strategies.

Capacity for policy improvement is built up at organisational, regional and interregional level in the project, through repeating rounds of regional and interregional exchange and by processing outcomes from given themes related to networks, public-private collaboration models, support, service and competence needs of SMEs in implementing energy-efficiency actions and utilisation possibilities of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) reporting data in targeting energy-efficiency actions.

The CLIBUS partnership connects regions from four geographical areas of the programme, all sharing the common goal for an energy-efficient and sustainable future. The CLIBUS partnership is a balanced mix of new regions and previous experience of the programme from Finland, Denmark, Greece, the Netherlands and Ukraine.

1. LAB University of Applied Sciences, Finland (Lead Partner)
2. City of Imatra, Finland
3. Hillerød Municipality, Denmark
4. Centre for Research and Technology Hellas (CERTH), Greece
5. Region of Thessaly, Greece
6. Executive Committee of the Rivne City Council, Ukraine
7. Municipality of Emmen, the Netherlands

The total budget of the EU Interreg Europe funded project is 1,421,229 €

Abstract

The BioFairNet project is designed to support hotspots and specific value chains heavily reliant on greenhouse gas (GHG)-intensive industries in becoming leaders of a sustainable bio-circular economy via a digital cooperative network. The network, understood as a digital platform and stakeholder engagement, maps, informs, transfers knowledge, and provides an exchange of communication among stakeholders to support their ecological transition. The following is achieved through instances of co-creation, testing, and validation of the final product is constructed with those majorly involved aiming to close the gap on this topic between experts, public administration, businesses, and other stakeholders. The project is a deep dive into two sectors- agriculture and mining, and using a co-creation process describes the current practice – envisions in both practical, social and economic terms what these sectors will look like post-transition and then maps a pathway to get there. The insights and tools required to support this pathway will be translated into a web-based transition tool that is both developed and implemented with end-users. In fact, the final product (network, identified as BioFairNet) that this project aims to develop is intended to be created with the stakeholders themselves.

Abstract

C-Farming aspires to foster the uptake of the Carbon Farming green business model, by upscaling the green, digital, net positive entrepreneurial, transversal and resilience skills of current and prospective farming practitioners, agriculture professionals, agriculture students and HE/VET educators, in a holistic and meta-innovative way, enabling them to serve as catalysts and facilitators of agriculture sustainable development within Europe and beyond its borders. This sectoral and cross-sectoral alliance aims to foster innovation in agricultural sector’s education and production processes, while upscaling the uptake of the carbon farming as a climate-smart agriculture solution, by strategically collaborating and exchanging knowledge among 6 higher and vocational education and training centres, 2 research institutions and 10 labour market actors in 7 European countries, serving the sustainable agricultural sector.

C-Farming develops two joint training programmes, the Training Programme (VOOC) for farming practitioners, agribusinesses and agricultural students and the Train-the-Trainers Programme (MOOC) for agriculture professionals and VET/HE educators, fully in line with the ECVET/EQF/EQAVET and the EU Micro-credential approach. These resources will be available freely through the C-Farming Digital Learning Ecosystem, offering immersive learning experiences via the e-Learning Platform and the Virtual Farm. Through 6 Capacity Building Activities, 6 blended and 1 asynchronous pilot trainings, 6 in-person and 1 online work-based learning activities, 420 beneficiaries will be upskilled/reskilled, closing skills gaps and enforcing the creation of an effective educational system for the sustainable agricultural sector. The C-Farming Learning & Business Incubators established in the 6 partner countries will act as a fully operational one-stop shops for carbon farming and sustainable agricultural entrepreneurship, while ensuring the long-lasting impact of the project.

Abstract

Despite novel innovations and solutions, transitioning to cleaner practices and methodologies has been challenging for many due to the inherent uncertainties associated with adopting and integrating new approaches. This situation has created a demand for innovative solutions that provide accurate decision support and assessments. With this in mind, the EU-funded ARGONAUT project will develop an efficient and user-friendly AI digital tool to calculate the climate and environmental impacts of bio-based products throughout their value chain. Additionally, the project will deliver a decision-support tool to recommend alternative, more sustainable actions and decisions. Through these efforts, it will support small and medium-sized producers while significantly assisting in the implementation of the EU’s Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation.

Abstract

Efforts to implement sustainable solutions often face significant challenges among smaller actors such as farmers and foresters who are hindered by time and financial constraints. The EU-funded thERBN project aims to address these barriers by establishing an EU-wide multi-actor thematic network. This network will facilitate accessible knowledge sharing of innovative circular bioeconomy (CB) solutions tailored for small-scale farms and foresters in rural areas. By providing practical CB solutions and a supportive framework, the project will empower these practitioners to adopt sustainable practices, overcome daily challenges and benefit from the transition to a circular bioeconomy.

Abstract

As the demand for renewable energy escalates, the photovoltaic (PV) sector faces critical challenges. Labour-intensive and hazardous tasks, along with rising operational costs and resource wastage, slow the industry’s growth. Additionally, human workforce limitations impact the efficiency and the monitoring capabilities of PV plants, necessitating a transformative solution. In this context, the EU-funded TALOS project will develop state-of-the-art robotics solutions for various PV energy scenarios, including land-based, floating and agriPV. Through its autonomous robotic systems, TALOS seeks to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, save water resources, lower operation and maintenance costs, and enhance PV plant performance. Furthermore, it will facilitate human-robot and robot-robot collaboration, making PV energy safer and more efficient.

Abstract

P2GreeN’s overall objective is to foster a paradigm shift, from a linearly organised resource and nutrient system within the agri-food supply chain, towards a circular material flow system between urban and rural areas thereby restoring the coupling of the water-agri-food system using a holistic symbiotic resource management approach following the 3R principle “Reduce, Reuse, Recover”. To achieve this, P2GreeN will develop new circular governance solutions for the transition from fork to farm to halt and eliminate N & P pollution by connecting blue urban with green rural infrastructure, focussing on circular nutrient flows of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P). This objective will be achieved through the implementation and exploration of innovative N & P recovery solutions for the utilisation of human sanitary waste from urban settlements and its conversion into safe bio-based fertilisers for agricultural production in three pilot regions (P2GreeN pilot regions) on a north-south trajectory from the Baltic Sea region via the metropolitan area of Hamburg-Hannover to the region of Axarquia in Southern Spain and by multiplying the impact via four follower regions in Hungary, Italy, France and Greece.

Abstract

Τhe strategic objective of SPADE is to develop an Intelligent Ecosystem to address the multiple purposes concept in the light of deploying UAVs to promote sustainable digital services for the benefit of a large scope of various end users in the sectors of agriculture, forestry, and livestock. This includes individual UAV usability, UAV type applicability (e.g., swarm, collaborative, autonomous, tethered), UAV governance models availability and trustworthiness. Multi-purposes will be further determined in the sensing dataspace reusability based on trained AI/Machine Learning (ML) models. These will enable sustainability and resilience of the overall life cycle of developing, setting up, offering, providing, testing, validating, refining as well as enhancing digital transformations and ‘innovation building’ services in Forestry, Cropping and Livestock Farming. Pilot prototypes will contribute towards greater challenges such as deforestation, precision cropping and animal welfare.

First, SPADE will create a digital platform that is able to realise the potential benefits to be reaped from the use of drones. This platform is making drone operations better accessible and controllable, as well as providing a service channel for value added services enabled by drones. Second, SPADE is demonstrating three innovative use cases of drones making use of the digital platform. While demonstrating the use cases, the benefits coming from the use of drones are analysed and quantified, on a detailed stakeholder level basis. This will demonstrate the new business opportunities. The demonstrations/pilots will also serve as an analysis platform to investigate the regulatory framework at international and national level. Open calls will provide 12 further use cases.

Abstract

BIORECER aims to ensure the environmental performance and traceability of the biological feedstock used by the bio-based industries, deploying guidelines to strengthen the current certification schemes. Within this approach, the added value, the use, as well as social acceptance of bioproducts will be increased. To fulfill this goal, BIORECER is structured in three main technological pillars focusing on:
1)developing a multidimensional assessment framework for an aggregated analysis on the biological feedstocks and their associated supply chains;
2)creating a BIORECER Innovation ecosystem living-lab with a multi-agent approach, testing the framework in 4 bio-based systems supply chain cases of study, and
3)using all this knowledge to complement current certification schemes including new criteria for certifying biological resources’ sustainability, origin, and traceability, and ensure applicability at EU and global scale.
The transition to a bio-based economy is expected to deliver substantial environmental and economic benefits. Specifically, BIORECER will assess the impact of current and adapted certification schemes on consumers and bio-based industries stakeholders’ willingness to pay along with industries and consumers’ acceptance of new bio-value chains from biological feedstocks, including residual feedstock and waste. In this context, the project will design and develop a multidimensional framework to analyze and define the assessment of the environmental performance of biological resources and traceability. This approach will be unfolded by the joint creation of two levels of interaction: a physical one through the creation of a BioResources Stakeholders Platform (BRSP) and a “digital” one through a BIORECER ICT tool (BIT) to amplify the “scope” of the project.

Abstract

Abstract:
The main objective of BioRural is to create a pan-European Rural Bioeconomy Network under which stakeholders will cooperate to promote currently available small-scale bio-based solutions in rural areas. Such a framework will contribute in bridging the gap between available novel high-end bio-based solutions and the everyday life of rural European citizens by assessing the existing situation of the European rural Bioeconomy, capturing grassroots-level needs and ideas, promoting effective exchange of knowledge and information and investigating the business opportunities for regional development through bio-based solutions integration in rural Europe. This way, BioRural will develop a transition framework towards a sustainable, regenerative, inclusive and just circular Bioeconomy across all Europe at local and regional scale and support innovators to scale-up inclusive and small-scale bio-based solutions in rural areas.
BioRural aims to achieve this through a three-pillar intervention scheme. First, BioRural will provide a framework to increase knowledge for rural stakeholders by addressing information gaps, conducting knowledge exchange workshops, and the development of an BioRural Toolkit that makes research results widely accessible. Second, BioRural will create a wide network of stakeholders in a regional and pan-European level to interconnect actors that can boost circular Bioeconomy growth through the development of a European Rural Bioeconomy Network centred around 4 regional Rural Bioeconomy Platforms and Bioeconomy success stories supported by a series of capacity building actions. Third, BioRural will develop Business model blueprints for each of the 5 main Bioeconomy themes that support the entrepreneurial establishment and maturation of future innovative bio-based solutions for rural areas and also ensure the post-project sustainability of the Bioeconomy Network and the BioRural Toolkit.

Abstract

Abstract:
The transition to a sustainable bio-economy needs professionals with multidisciplinary, managerial, and cross sectoral expertise and requires higher education and vocational training that integrates dedicated curricula. RELIEF aims to support this by developing and delivering an innovative approach for teaching bio-economy in farming, by developing specific learning resources addressing Higher Education Institutes (HEI) students and farming practitioners with the goal of training and educating a new generation to possess the skills (including technical, economic and regulatory knowledge) which are required by the current and future European sustainable bioeconomy, and to rethink & improve the current Vocational Education & Training (VET) model. HEIs, VETs, farmer consultants, research institutes, and social partners from Italy, Greece, Sweden, Cyprus and Portugal will participate and deliver a high-quality network within the EU to advance bio-economy in the farming agenda.
More specifically, RELIEF will deliver a training needs analysis and develop two curricula on the bio-economy, for HE students, farming practitioners and farmers exploring the key areas that are critical for the implementation of business models and strategies towards bio-economy in farming. Based on this knowledge, RELIEF will design and pilot learning units which will incorporate a mix of training methodologies. An e-learning platform will offer these learning resources in 5 languages for self-training and networking to support the long-term sustainability of farming enterprises. RELIEF will also stimulate significant changes in the university curricula, course content, and VET training by integrating a learnercentred approach based on problem-based, active and transformational learning.

Abstract

Abstract
13 participants from 7 EU and 1 third countries join forces for supporting the Strategic Research Agenda of the future joint research program on the subject of Blockchain by shedding light on the current partial and fragmented picture of BCT applications in the agrifood domain and by clarifying the benefits and opportunities which BCT can concretely to stakeholders throughout the food chain offer.
The project intends to prepare the way for R&I activities for the decade to come, basing its assumptions on systematic monitoring and reviews of national, European and international R&I pilots/use cases, experiences and best practices and on consolidated and balanced stakeholder views. The active involvement of users is required from the very beginning for the identification of needs and use cases, which will be subsequently translated into operational requirements for services.
The goal of the proposal is to understand why communities, i.e. users, accept/reject blockchain-based projects, the mistakes done by others for not repeating them, the best and innovative practices in blockchain development in agri-food sector (considering its complexity) for arriving to shape different possible futures for BC application.
The project will investigate and discuss both technical aspects as well as non-technical barriers to BCTs deployment, but also other issues fostering BCTs deployment, such as interoperability, innovative business models, standardisation and regulatory issues and will be at the base of White Papers addressed to EC. At the same time, the proposal intends to provide to users some a framework of services (and guidelines) for empowering them in future BC technology implementation.

Abstract

The overall objective of RES4LIVE project is to provide advanced and cost-effective energy related technologies to the livestock sector that ensure the sustainability of the farms’ operation, and the superior thermal comfort of the animals for increased productivity with minimum climate change impact. The adaptation of RES technologies and machinery and their demonstration at a large-scale on farm level, require supporting measures with respect to spatial planning, infrastructure, different business models and market organization, trends that are not all under control from a farmers’ perspective. RES4LIVE project will fill these gaps ensuring a wider adoption of RES and energy efficiency technologies, machinery and techniques in livestock farms towards zero fossil fuel consumption. A great part of RES4LIVE technical work deals with the adaptation of specific technologies for both renewable energy and bio-fuels so that to perfectly fit livestock farming and becoming attractive in terms of cost effectiveness, operational flexibility and with low maintenance. The key technologies include:

• Photovoltaic/Thermal (PVT) systems
• Modular heat pumps
• Biogas upgrading to biomethane
• Tractors retrofitting to be fueled by biomethane.

Except these technologies, standard RES and other solutions are included in the integrated energy system, such as the use of PV panels, geothermal energy, and electrification of on-farm machinery.

The RES4LIVE project emphasizes on the demonstration of the selected technologies in 4 pilot farms in Belgium, Italy, Germany and Greece for at least 12 months, to serve as the means of de-fossilizing evidence and impact generation. The aim is to totally replace the fossil fuel consumption of certain needs in the pilot farms, proving that fossil-free energy farming is possible to be achieved in a sustainable way. At the same time, the replicability is another key activity so that to prepare the commercialization process of the solutions.

Abstract

FIELDS is an Erasmus⁺ project tackling the future skills needs in the agriculture and forestry sector. It comprises 30 partners from 12 different European countries and is coordinated by the university of Turin. There are new challenges and opportunities for agriculture today, driven by climate change, the greening of products and processes, the reuse of side-stream products, the higher complexity of value chains and the increased availability of information. The use of digital technologies, new business models and innovative strategies to respond to climate change are a selection of issues that can help to address them.

The FIELDS approach, starting from the current and future trends and skills needed, will lead to a sustainable European strategy to address skills gaps. Since agriculture issues and opportunities differ a lot from country to country, the EU strategy will be customized to meet the demands for 7 different countries. It will address country-specific actions, occupational profiles and training material to reflect the country needs while keeping EU quality standards (ESCO, EQAVET, ECVET) in order to concretely address the mobility of learners throughout Europe.

An Agriculture Sector Skill Alliance (SSA) will be established during the project to build upon the regulatory frameworks and opportunities at EU and country level, while proposing tangible and practical initiatives to address skills challenges, in particular through offering modular training inside the project while guaranteeing mobility of workers within the agriculture, forestry and agrifood industry.

Abstract

AgroFossilFree will create a framework under which, critical stakeholders will cooperate to evaluate and promote the currently available Fossil-Energy-Free Technologies and Strategies (FEFTS) in EU agriculture. There is full alignment with the High Level EU Strategies (i.e. EU Green Deal and Farm to Fork strategy) as it aims to decrease the use of fossil energy in any farming process from cradle-to-farm gate, while maintaining yield and quality of the end-product. The project will contribute in closing the gap between the available FEFTS and the everyday EU agricultural practices by promoting effective exchange of novel ideas and information between research, industry, extension and the farming community. Adoption of available FEFTS from EU farmers can be also enhanced significantly by offering training material to all the professionals involved in te process and by providing possible financing opportunities for de-fossilizing EU agriculture.

To achieve its targets, AgroFossilFree will:

• assess and evaluate the current energy use status in EU agriculture
• consider existing needs and interests for the future farm energy profile by identifying factors influencing adoption in view of regional specificities
• identify and register available and directly applicable FEFTS from applied research results to market solutions and explore existing financing tools for de-fossilising activities
• collaborate with all relevant stakeholders in thematic groups using interactive physical and online methodologies to produce community-based ideas for FEFTS integration in agricultural systems in a regional and EU-basis
• create an online tool (AgEnergy Platform) with all available FEFTS to be assessed by stakeholders and provide a Decision Support Toolkit to propose interventions and financing tools
• produce policy guidelines on EU, regional and national basis and communicate them to increase visibility and promote the proposed FEFTS in real agricultural activity in the near future

Abstract

BlueBioChain focuses on novel integrated approaches, methodologies, and process technologies for more efficient and sustainable water management. To this end, the project develops and applies a holistic biorefinery platform bridging the gap along the blue bioeconomy value chain, from biomass to products and markets and consumers thus, addressing three major global challenges of the future sustainable waste management, water scarcity and lack of food for the growing global population.

The BlueBioChain project aims to provide an intelligent wastewater valorisation system exploiting the potential of microalgae, which in turn is used to produce high market value products, such as

1. skin creams (cosmeceuticals),
2. food colouring agents for novel, convenient meat, and dairy analogues and
3. aquafeed for fish/arthropods (zero-waste aquaculture farms)

The project brings together the necessary multidisciplinary knowledge, expertise, skills, and resources to constitute a complete value chain of actors for developing circular bioeconomy concepts, offering unique opportunities for industrial symbiosis together with various environmental, social, economic and policy benefits.

Abstract

Med Food TTHubs project focuses on Mediterranean food products as key points in the reform of tracing and authenticity procedures of traditional Mediterranean foods, adding value to high quality food products by supporting the implementation of full-path tracing practices through the whole distribution channel from seed to shelf. The solution that Med Food TTHubs brings is geared to achieve:

• Safer and more sustainable Mediterranean food products for people around the world,
• Full transparency concerning the traceability and authenticity of these products towards the creation of an end-to-end trust-chain in the food sector.

Therefore, the aim of the Med Food TTHubs is i) the establishment and ii) the pilot operation of seven Trace & Trust Hubs, which will form a permanent transnational network playing the role of a one-stop-shop for traceability and authenticity for ‘added value’ Mediterranean food products in each of the countries involved.

For that purpose, Med Food TTHubs will develop and support the operation of a “Voluntary Scheme of Traceability (VST) of MED foods”, which will be a common protocol for the network of these Hubs, acting as a point of reference for the products of the different involved areas. This protocol will include detailed guidelines, audit procedures and KPIs in relation to practices and processes towards traceable, authenticated and of high nutritional quality products.

Abstract

BACCHUS intelligent mobile robotic system promises to reproduce hand harvesting operations, while at the same time taking the manual legwork out by autonomously operating on four different levels:

1. Performing robot navigation with quality performance guarantee in order to inspect the crops and collect data from agricultural areas through embedded sensorial system.
2. Performing bi-manual harvesting operations with the needed finesse using a modular robotic platform,
3.  Employing additive manufacturing for adjusting the robot gripper to the geometry of the different crops,
4. Presenting advanced cognitive capabilities and decision making skills.

The envisioned system will be demonstrated and evaluated in the challenging vineyard environment while inspecting different types of vines and harvesting bunches of grapes of different varieties in a human-like manner.

Abstract

KYKLOS 4.0 will demonstrate, in a realistic, measurable, and replicable way the transformative effects that CPS, PLM, LCA, AR and AI technologies and methodologies will have to the Circular Manufacturing (CM) Framework. To this end, KYKLOS 4.0 will perform large-scale piloting in 7 pilots to demonstrate the technical, environmental and economic viability of bringing together knowledge and solutions of major European CPS, PLM, LCA and AI technology providers together with the competence and experience of key European industry players in the CM domain.

KYKLOS 4.0 will demonstrate a measurable increase of KYKLOS 4.0 Ecosystem penetration in CM market, a reduction of environmental impact due to the reduction of the use of fossil fuels and raw materials and the impact in seven pilot domains, which cover areas of major importance for the CM sector in Europe.

Abstract

STARGATE’s contribution beyond state-of-the-art in applied climatic data solutions is the implementation of analytics models to support local and regional policy formulation and implementation related to mitigation on microclimate changes. Currently, policy making organizations predominantly utilize their own data, typically limited to their own jurisdiction/administrative area. However, once the policy development process expands beyond the traditional approach, there need for global data will emerge. The addition of national, European and even global reference data sets for comparative analysis including meteorological data, climatic analysis, and satellite data sources are needed to improve decision making processes. The studies at landscape scale are required to understand the ecological processes.

The focus will be on Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA). The benefits of applying agri-environment-climate technical solutions will be extensively studied to achieve sustainable agricultural development at landscape level. This can be achieved by supporting farm management modernization and at the same time getting to know the underlying ecological factors that shape the farming landscape. STARGATE will leverage access to these data while its climatic platform will foster easy and affordable adoption by policy making bodies. This simple approach is effective in the visualization of data and can support decision making in policy development.   Unlike algorithmic simulation and modeling, visualization leaves the actual decision and assessment to a human user and thus provides an extra quality assurance before actual policy decisions are made. STARGATE provides innovative components for visualization of big data with a particular emphasis on geospatial visualization and advanced, dynamic charting.

Abstract

The overall objective of ATLAS is the development of an open digital service platform for agricultural applications and to build a sustainable ecosystem for innovative data-driven agriculture using the platform. The platform will allow the flexible combination of agricultural machinery, sensor systems and data analysis tools to overcome the problem of lacking interoperability and to enable farmers to increase their productivity in a sustainable way by making use of the most advanced digital technology and data. The platform will define a service architecture providing hardware- and software-interoperability layers which enable the acquisition and sharing of data from a multitude of sensors and the analysis of this data using a multitude of dedicated analysis approaches.

The benefits of data driven agriculture will be demonstrated using the ATLAS platform within a multitude of pilot studies. Around these pilot studies, so called “Innovation Hubs”, a network of end-users, service providers, researchers and policy makers along the agricultural value chain, will be established to exploit the benefits of digital agriculture to a larger audience. Innovative companies will be attracted through seed funding to provide their services through the platform. With the knowledge created from these pilot studies, ATLAS will put significant effort into the definition of the next generation standards for data driven agriculture.

Abstract

The NAIADES project envisions the transformation of urban water management through automated and smarter water resource management and environmental monitoring, achieving a high level of water services for both residential and commercial consumers, exploiting the efficient use of physical and digital components of water ecosystem. NAIADES relies and builds upon various types of big data collected from different water monitoring and control systems in Europe, in order to:

(i) Establish more efficient water consumption in both retail and commercial environments.

(ii) Generate increased confidence of water consumers.

(iii) Measure the water quality in residential buildings, offices and public infrastructures (mall, hospital).

(iv) Assure the safety and reliability through the detection of warning signs in near real time and other monitoring systems.

(v) Enhance public awareness on water consumption and usage savings, and promote user engagement in water conservation activities through personalized persuasive feedback and recommendation services provided to the NAIADES App Users.

NAIADES aims to provide multidimensional intelligence on the water ecosystem through the introduction of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies:

• Situational Intelligence by collecting real-time data from the buildings as they are in operation and analysing them in Spatial, Temporal and Nodal dimensions.
• Operational intelligence by using the power of data and its capability to extract the right information at the right time to provide insight into water infrastructure operation and improve the effectiveness of maintenance activities.
• Asset intelligence by building digital twins that represent physical systems using the continuous data streams produced from various sub-systems in buildings will help OEMs.

Abstract

OPTIMA will develop an environmentally friendly IPM framework for vineyards, apple orchards and carrots by providing a holistic integrated approach which includes all critical aspects related to integrated disease management, such as i) novel bio-PPPs use, ii) disease prediction models, iii) spectral early disease detection systems and iv) precision spraying techniques. It will contribute significantly to the reduction of the European agriculture reliance on chemical PPPs resulting in reduced use of agrochemicals, lower residues and reduced impacts on human health.

OPTIMA will:
• optimize disease prediction models for downy mildew in vineyards, apple scab in apple orchards and alternaria leaf blight in carrots to envisage faster the possibility of disease outspread and developing advanced early detection methods based on spectral imaging and deep learning techniques to precisely localise and quantify the infection.
• evaluate and screen biological and synthetic PPPs for their combined ability to control the selected diseases and weigh the optimum dosage and application timing and identifying and characterize induced host resistance mechanisms to achieve higher and durable resistance.
• enhance and develop three innovative prototype sprayers (for carrots, apple orchards and vineyards) actuating different nozzle types and adopting variable rate control based on canopy characteristics, the pathogen dispersal and disease development.
• Test and assess the holistic developed IPM system in field conditions with the three selected crops. The advanced sprayer prototypes and the monitoring system will be tested in real-time to record field efficacy and potential discrepancies from the expected effectiveness.
• assess health, environmental and socioeconomic impacts of the proposed IPM system in comparison to conventional systems using an extended Life-Cycle approach integrated with Human and Environmental Risk Assessment.

Abstract

Smart-AKIS was submitted to the 2014 call, remaining on the reserve list (12/15). For resubmission, all items in the ESR have been carefully addressed: i) more focused approach, addressing only Smart Farming Technology for crop production and using more concrete methodologies; ii) stronger involvement of the machinery industry, with specific support from national Associations and a dedicated working group within CEMA; iii) a Data Management Plan ensuring compliance with H2020 Open Access Policy and inclusion in different thematic aggregators.

The project aims at setting up a self-sustainable Thematic Network on Smart Farming Technology designed for the effective exchange between research, industry, extension and the farming community in order to disseminate direct applicable research and commercial solutions and capture grassroots level needs and innovative ideas. Smart Farming Technology (SFT) encompasses Farm Management Information Systems, Precision Agriculture and Agriculture automation and robotics. Smart AKIS will collect existing knowledge related to SFT and will produce easily accessible end-user material under the EIP-Agri common format. The project will also integrate the socio-economic aspects involved in the innovation processes and will generate interactive and innovation-based collaborations among researchers, advisors and farmers through the use of open innovation in multi-actor workshops. Knowledge flow will be facilitated through the implementation of the Smart Farming Community Platform, which will be compatible with the EIP-SP in order to ensure long term accessibility of results. Smart-AKIS will build on results from five flagship EU projects (VALERIE, SOLINSA, PRO-AKIS, FRACTALS, AGRISPIN), through the participation in the project of their core partners. The project will establish direct communication with EIP-Agri to maximize impact of project activities and stakeholder mobilization.

Abstract

The aim of this network is to set-up a self-sustainable Thematic Network on Spraying Equipment, Training and Advising designed for the effective exchange between researchers, industry, extension services and farming community. This network will link directly applicable research and commercial solutions and grassroots level needs and innovative ideas thoroughly captured, thus contributing to close the research and innovation divide in this area.

The proposed network will be organized to cover spraying application needs in the most commonly used crops in Europe: cereals, vegetables, orchards, vineyards and greenhouses organized in seven national innovation hubs linked with international interactive workshops. This Thematic Network will address important and timely issues that are critical to improve crop productivity and reduce environmental impact.

These include:
• spraying equipment, technologies and practical methods to estimate and reduce spray drift and environmental contamination
• information and procedures on the benefits of following regular inspections of sprayers in use
• new spraying equipment and components to increase the efficacy of the application
• practical information and advice on the dose expression dilemma especially for orchard and bush crops
• calibration and operation procedures using lively videos and developed interactive training and learning material
• classification schemes for sprayers and nozzles to enable farmers and pesticide companies to decide on the most suitable to them nozzle/sprayer/technology combination for certain pesticide application
• environmental requirements for new sprayers following ISO 16119
• best management practices acquired over the years from several EU projects and research publications.

Abstract

The overall objective of the BRIDGES project is to significantly improve partner regions’ RIS3 implementation governance and the delivery of the structural funds; to benefit from policy learning and enhance industry-led Centres of Competence (CC) as RIS3 implementation units. The industry-led focus is Bioeconomy, an industry common to partners’ RIS3.  BRIDGES partnerships are from Finland, Greece, Spain, Hungary, Poland and Slovenia. It combines RIS3 diversification and specialization in these regions, contributing to the achievement of the objectives in a complementary and synergetic way. BRIDGES regions face challenges deriving from the effectiveness of their RIS3 implementation. In some cases, challenges relate to the process of valorizing research results, while in other cases to the transformation and renewal of regional economies.

The overarching improvement need is for better RIS3 implementation governance, to deal with:

1) relatively weak impact of RIS3 on growth, jobs and regional economy renewal (linked to low upscale investments, research excellence absorptiveness, and exploitation of related variety potential),

2) mismatches between RIS3 productive and RDI bases,

3) distance from and better exploitation of research excellence as a path to further specialization,

4) restricted resources towards RIS3 impact.

BRIDGES wants to primarily break the vicious circle of regional lock-ins, dominant in less advanced regions, and restricting the RIS3 impact. By addressing knowledge asymmetries through networked solutions it also contributes to the uptake of commercially unexplored excellence results of the more advanced regions. Thus the RIS3 performance is improved in both types of regions. Furthermore, awareness, methodological and resource gaps between advanced and less advanced regions are bridged, concretely and for the long run. This creates upscaled sources of increasing returns for all the regions.

Abstract

Agriculture is a vital industry, not only important for nourishment, but also a key determinant of health, economic and political stability, employment, business and biological ecosystems and society. Because of its importance, most attention is focused on productivity but it is essential to have a global view in order to address environment sustainability problems. EUXDAT proposes an e-Infrastructure, which addresses agriculture, land monitoring and energy efficiency for a sustainable development, as a way to support planning policies. In order to do so, EUXDAT addresses the problems related to the current and future large amount of heterogeneous data to be managed and processed. EUXDAT builds on existing mature components for solving them, by providing an advanced frontend, where users will develop applications on top of an infrastructure based on HPC and Cloud. The front end provides monitoring information, visualization, different parallelized data analytic tools and enhanced data and processes catalogues, enabling Large Data Analytics-as-a-Service. EUXDAT will include a large set of data connectors (UAVs, Copernicus, field sensors, etc.), for scalable analytics. As for the brokering infrastructure, EUXDAT aims at optimizing data and resources usage. In addition to a mechanism for supporting data management linked to data quality evaluation, EUXDAT proposes a way to orchestrate tasks execution, identifying whether the best target is a HPC center or a Cloud provider. It will use monitoring and profiling information for taking decisions based on trade-offs related to cost, data constraints, efficiency and resources availability. During the project, EUXDAT will be in contact with scientific communities, in order to identify new trends and datasets, for guiding the evolution of the e-Infrastructure. The final results of the project will be an integrated e-Infrastructure which will encourage end users to create new applications for sustainable development.

Abstract

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative disease of the articular cartilage and the most common form of arthritis that causes joint pain, mobility limitation and, thus, reduces independence and overall quality of life. Although the usual population associated with the condition is the elderly (65 years old ranges from 12- 30%), who are mostly inactive, athletes and younger individuals are also susceptible. Whilst the available data have implicated the role of the various modifiable or non-modifiable risk factors in the development and progression of OA, no study has conclusively explored the interaction and integration of other information sets in a patient-specific manner. The current OACTIVE project intends to make a significant leap forward adopting a multi-scale holistic approach where patient-specific information from various levels, including cell, tissue, organ and whole body will be integrated and combined with information from other sources such as biochemical/ inflammatory biomarkers, behavior modeling and social/environmental risk factors to generate robust predictors for new personalized interventions for delaying onset and slowing down progression of OA. OACTIVE targets to patient-specific OA prediction and interventions by using a combination of mechanistic, phenomenological computational models, simulations and big data analytics. Once constructed, these models will be used to simulate and predict optimal treatments, better diagnostics, and improved patient outcomes. Overcoming the limitation of the current treatment interventions, Augmented Reality empowered interventions will be developed in a personalized framework allowing patients to experience the treatment as a more enjoyable, resulting in greater motivation, engagement, and training adherence. OACTIVE’s mission is to improve healthcare by transforming and accelerating the OA diagnosis and prediction based on a more comprehensive understanding of disease pathophysiology, dynamics, and patient outcomes.

Abstract

Abstract

Enhancing the quality and relevance of student’s knowledge and skills: DesignIT targets entrepreneurial skills of higher education students and proposes innovative technology-enhanced learning approaches that expose students to emerging design thinking concepts. The project exploits technology, and particularly gaming elements in learning, to help bring into focus the creativity and innovation that every student has encouraging them to think out of the box for introducing solutions to real-world problems. Entrepreneurial capacity is important as it is among the key transversal competencies that can help an individual excel independently of subject area. Entrepreneurship is linked to creativity and innovation. It is particularly relevant today as it can contribute to sustainable growth by helping bring ideas into life. DesignIT addresses entrepreneurial capacity in all study disciplines in higher education. It aims at linking higher education to the world of work and to society by building the practical skills that students need in order to implement ideas and bring them to market for the benefit of all. Supporting the social engagement of higher education institutions and promoting inter cultural and civic competences: DesignIT addresses wide aspects of entrepreneurship. The project aims to build student capacity to ideate and implement ideas for business and for social innovation. The second objective is key in DesignIT and aims at putting the knowledge and creativity of students to work for addressing wide societal issues and for introducing viable solutions even when none appears to exist. This part of the project is linked to the social engagement of higher education students and institutions and the development of awareness and competences among students for becoming active citizens. In addition to building student skills, DesignIT also builds the capacity of educators to introduce into classrooms offerings related to entrepreneurship, including social entrepreneurship, enriching the learning experiences of students, enhancing their skills, and helping link skills developed in higher education to societal needs. Open and innovative practices in a digital era: DesignIT exploits emerging technology, and specifically gamification and learning games, for promoting the engagement and collaboration of students in entrepreneurship education contexts. The project introduces technology-enhanced learning solutions that can act as complementary learning tools in wider classroom practices. The proposed educational tools will be publicly available to all interested parties. Their evaluation in real-life contexts engaging students and instructors will contribute to the development of good practices on how technology can enhance already existing educational activities by enhancing interaction, motivating participation, promoting a healthy competition in educational contexts, and shaping innovative minds sets.

Abstract

The total EU electronics industry employs ≈20.5 million people, sales exceeding €1 trillion and includes 396,000 SMEs. It is a major contributor to EU GDP and its size continues to grow fueled by demand from consumers to many industries. Despite its many positive impacts, the industry also faces some challenges connected with the enormous quantity of raw materials that it needs for sustainability, the huge quantity of Waste Electrical, Electronics Equipment generated and the threat of competition from Asia. To sustain its growth, to manage the impact of WEEE and to face the competition from Asia, the industry needs innovations in key areas. One such area is the drive for ultra-miniaturisation/ultlra-functionality of equipment. The key current road block/limitation to achieving the goal of ultra-miniaturisation/functionality is how to increase the component density on the printed circuit board. This is currently limited by the availability of hyper fine pitch solder powder pastes. FineSol aims to deliver at first stage an integrated production line for solder particles with size 1-10 μm and to formulate solder pastes containing these particles. Thus, by proper printing methods (e.g. screen and jet printing) the fabrication of PCBs with more than double component density will be achieved. Consequently, this would effectively enable more than a doubling of the functions available on electronic devices such as cell phones, satellite navigation systems, health devices etc. The successful completion of the FineSol project would lift the ultra-miniaturisation/functionality road block and also enable reduction in raw material usage, reduction in WEEE, reduction in pollution and associated health costs and also a major reduction in EU energy demand with all its indirect benefits for environment and society.

Abstract

Deliver protective coatings covering a wide range of applications such as automotive, aerospace, metal-working, oil and gas and cutting tools industries via thermal spray and electroplating methods by utilizing more environmental friendly materials, compared to the currently used.

Abstract

Challenged by climate change, and coupled with the need to secure sustainable economic growth and social cohesion, Europe must achieve a genuine energy revolution to reverse present-day unsustainable trends and live up to the ambitious policy expectations. A rational, consistent and far-sighted approach to heating and cooling is key for ensuring such transformation. Toward this direction, district heating and cooling systems need to be more efficient, intelligent and cheaper. InDeal project will offer an innovative platform that will impose a fairly distribution of heating and cooling among the network’s buildings by: i. real – time energy consumption data gathering via artificial intelligent meters ii. identifying and evaluating the network’s buildings’ need and demand for heating and cooling depending to their energy efficiency, energy consumption and type of building, iii. predicting the short-term and long-term weather conditions and forthcoming need for heating and cooling, iv. monitoring and control the level of energy stored in network’s storage stations and substations v. 24/7 monitoring of the DHC system by a central control platform and vi. minimizing heat losses via novel pipe design solutions and innovative insulation materials. The target of InDeal is to turn the current DHCS into a new next-level automated DHCS that will guarantee the increase of the overall energy efficiency of the system accomplishing a fairly distribution of heating and cooling energy demands. In light of this, InDeal will make a significant step forward contributing to wider use of intelligent district heating and cooling systems and integration of renewables, waste and storage.

Abstract

Danube and Ionian regions experience high youth unemployment rate. At the same time, there is gap in funding at national and EU level specifically for youth entrepreneurship projects. Youth funds focus on education, apprenticeship, civil rights activities, active citizenship and exchange. There are young people with innovative ideas that can be scaled into successful business through suitable support to tackle youth unemployment, create quality jobs and boost innovation.

1. Overall objective is to enhance youth entrepreneurship and to showcase the path to successful funding for youth business projects. The specific objectives are to explore start-ups acceleration programmes in the different countries that are suitable for youth, to develop self-training and mentoring tool and to raise youth entrepreneurs preparedness to use accelerators as a funding source.

2. The project will pilot a tool that will be available for use by all countries in the macroregions that will support young people (aged 16-25) in preparing for pitching to start-up acceleration programmes. It will pilot a small voucher scheme in the 3 partner countries to support innovative youth business ideas demos in order to attract funding.

The DSPF is co-financed with funds provided to the European Commission by the European Parliament and the City of Vienna

Abstract

The project addresses the development of digital skills among young learners with the objective of enhancing their future employment opportunities in innovation-related sectors that are expected by policy makers to drive economic growth. Digital skills are considered among the basic and transversal competencies that are necessary in wide economic sectors and as such must be developed among individuals with diverse professional and career aspirations, independently of area. The project further promotes the strategic deployment of ICT in education as a learning tool. It promotes the development of ICT applications for learning and the integration of digital tools as complementary educational content within wider, blended learning and teaching processes. The project promotes high quality in education by linking learning practices to emerging state-of-the-art game-based technology and related active learning pedagogical frameworks. The integration of proposed technology and pedagogies offer broad learning benefits to both students and teachers by enhancing motivation, promoting long-term engagement with the learning process, providing timely and constructive feedback, and promoting critical and entrepreneurial thinking mind sets.

Abstract

The LEAP project aims at promoting in engineering higher education emerging learning design linked to industry practices with the objective of preparing students to effectively transition into the professional world. The project further aims at closing the new digital divide by promoting the development of high quality digital content for higher education linked to both academic and industry needs. Specifically, the project promotes lean and agile learning design. Lean practices will encourage students to design solutions that meet needs while minimizing the deployment of resources. Agile practices will expose students to industry cycles in which design is integrated throughout production processes, as opposed to only in the early stages of production, ensuring that the final product effectively addresses consumer needs.LEAP will pursue these objectives through the design and development of serious games that encourage learners to adopt industry roles, to think critically for addressing community and societal needs through agile engineering solutions, to practice on the application of industrial process management in the context of their higher education curricula, and to take into account environmental responsibility issues in service design and implementation. Recognizing the importance of supporting educators on integrating the proposed innovative learning methods and tools into their teaching practices LEAP will further develop good practice guidelines and instructor support content. The outcomes will be validated in real-life contexts in classrooms in Greece, Portugal, Spain, Estonia, and Norway.

Abstract

Perceptions on multilingualism in early childhood education are shifting. In the past the exposure of a child to two languages at the same time was considered a potential disadvantage in fear of the child not being able to differentiate language structures. Emerging pedagogical theories, however, argue that multilingualism positively affects a child’s cognitive development as a whole, resulting in children becoming more intellectually perceptive and flexible. Researchers further argue that multilingual skill development before the age of 6 may be related to more effective use of brain capacity for multiple language production by early bilinguals. Other research makes connections between lifelong bilingualism and increased cognitive reserve. On a practical level, today’s children are exposed to languages other than their mother tongue in a natural way through sounds and images that are part of everyday life and their everyday environment. This takes place in a natural way through activities that include listening to music on the radio, following images on TV, viewing book texts, playing games, and more. In instructional settings a second language, such as English, is often introduced as early as in pre-school education, although often informally and beyond the requirements of formal school curricula; second language learning is integrated into classroom activities such as drawing, singing, playing, and more. The development of language awareness and capacity in early childhood education can help learners to more effectively build language skills in subsequent school grades in primary education. It contributes to the widening of learning opportunities through access to rich multilingual content in diverse subjects. On the other hand, early language learning can positively contribute to the transition of multilingualism from pre-school to primary education and the building of functional language literacy. LanguageGames aims at the development of second language skills in early childhood learning, spanning pre-primary and early primary education, in an active and experiential manner. The project takes current practices for language skill building a step further by exploiting emerging state-of-the-art serious games-enhanced learning frameworks adapted to the cognitive development level of young learners. The proposed active learning approach will immerse young learners in activities that take inspiration from real-life and familiar school practices offering benefits that include immediate feedback for scaffolding knowledge by better understanding mistakes, motivational factors in the form of game rewards, collaboration opportunities, and the development of problem-solving skills through puzzles. The proposed tools will be designed for classroom deployment, as opposed to standalone use, in the context of wider language learning activities thus enhancing existing school practices in language education. The proposed serious game for language learning will integrate age-appropriate, well accepted syllabic language learning methodologies that help youngsters build word recognition and reproduction capacity. The proposed activities will be validated in real-life contexts in pre-primary and early primary education classrooms in diverse school environments that span Greece, the UK, Estonia, Portugal, and Romania. The wide geographical footprint of deployment will lead on the one hand to the better understanding of the needs of diverse school systems in relation to language education and on the other to the development of good practice recommendations on applying serious games for early language education in the classroom targeting teachers at a European level. In relation to impact, LanguageGames promotes quality early childhood education through the integration of emerging ICT and innovative learning methodologies into classroom practices enhancing learning experiences for young children. It further promotes the strategic deployment of ICT in education through the design, development, and validation of proof-of-concept educational applications that exploit emerging ICT solutions in the context of learning frameworks aiming to address early childhood education needs. By building multilingualism and functional literacy it promotes cultural skills and intercultural dialog, fighting xenophobia and fostering social cohesion. In the longer term, the project promotes the development of basic skills, namely language literacy, for employment, mobility by removing language barriers in education, training, and youth programs, and ET2020 objectives on multilingualism that state as an objective the acquisition of at least 2 languages by learners at an early stage.