SmartAgriHubs

The project

With a budget of 20 million euros co-financed by the European Union, the project aims to create a large pan-European network of digital innovation hubs (DIH-Digital Innovation Hub). The project started on November 1, 2018.

SmartAgriHubs: 140 digital innovation hubs, 9 regional groups and 28 flagship innovation experiences.

The project has the potential to be a game-changer in the adoption of digital solutions by the agricultural sector. Recent initiatives have shown the readiness of the sector to seize the opportunities offered by ICT (information and communication technologies), networks and data-oriented technologies. However, currently available applications are still fragmented and used mainly by a small group of users.

SmartAgriHubs will operate, strengthen and connect local DIHs as well as the 20,000 Competence Centers (CC) across Europe.

SmartAgriHubs has already built up a large network of 140 DIHs building on its existing projects and ecosystems such as “IoF202020”. All DIHs are aligned with the 9 regional clusters, which are led by organizations closely linked to national or regional digitization initiatives and funds. This multi-level approach is based on 28 innovation experiences in which ideas, concepts and prototypes are developed and brought to market.
More than 2 million farms are expected to be involved through 4,000 experiments, which will bring the digitization process closer to the specific needs of farmers. Demystifying digitization is essential to the project, as it helps farmers and their businesses achieve real and achievable results.
 

A multi-stakeholder approach

SmartAgriHubs brings together different expertise and involves an extensive network of value chains covering all EU Member States. The consortium includes a wide network of start-ups, SMEs, enterprises and service providers, technology experts and end users. End users in the agri-food sector are at the heart of the project and are the driving force of digital transformation.

A strong emphasis on communication, training and stakeholder engagement.

SmartAgriHubs aspires to create an interconnected ecosystem where stakeholders work together in the different phases of innovation, from initial research to on-farm application. Therefore, promoting dialogue with stakeholders and providing timely information on progress and results achieved are at the heart of the project's communication activities. To involve, train and inform its public, several tools will be implemented by the consortium throughout the duration of the project. For example, on the Innovation Portal, information will be easily accessible to farmers and their businesses, creating an effective, efficient and satisfying user experience. A catalog for farmers and agro-industries is also planned, in order to map the field of existing digital technologies and to exchange best practices within the network.