The prominent European conference featured the work of the EDIHs including ENTIRE for the very first time
ENTIRE EDIH was delighted to take part in Synergy Days 2024. Synergy Days is the most important conference connecting the digital innovators of the European agri-food sector. The 4th edition of the event took place on the 14th – 15th October in Barcelona and showcased 40 European research projects, plus the work of the EDIHs for the very first time.
with Location Innovation Hub, DigiAgriFood and BOOST EDIHs, Synergy Days 2024
The agenda consisted of two jam-packed days of thought-provoking workshops, presentations and panel discussions in which representatives from Walton Institute and ENTIRE were actively involved.
‘Collaborative Innovation for European Digital Innovation Hubs’: This workshop jointly hosted by ENTIRE EDIH Ireland, EDIH Bretagne France, and DigiAgriFood EDIH Greece brought EDIHs together to exchange ideas, and form innovative strategies that address the unique needs of each region’s digital transformation goals.
‘Building Stronger Rural Communities in a Changing Europe’: This collaborative workshop by ENTIRE EDIH Ireland and Dungarvan Enterprise Centre explored innovative approaches to integrate new populations into existing structures, leverage biases to create more inclusive communities, and design the rural regions of tomorrow.
‘European Digital Innovation Hubs: Building digital capacity in your region’: In this session we heard from two SME’s – Caroline Hofman from The Cube and Stephen Barnes Senior Project Manager, Mixed Reality Lab Lead at Walton Institute representing Dungarvan Enterprise Centre – on how they enhanced their digital transformation through their engagement with ENTIRE EDIH. This was followed by an informative panel discussion hosted by Hazel Peavoy Strategic Business Partner and ENTIRE Project Lead at Walton Institute featuring the Location Innovation Hub, DigiAgriFood and BOOST.
As part of Synergy Days, International Day of Rural Women was also celebrated. ENTIRE partner Walton Institute is delighted to be a member of the Gender Alliance for Innovation in Agriculture (GAIA), which is dedicated to supporting the 4th agricultural revolution in Europe, by supporting inclusive and sustainable solutions. GAIA members put together a fantastic agenda as part of the Synergy Days programme to discuss women in rural communities and what GAIA and others could do to support them.
This included a powerful panel discussion on the topic of ‘Empowering Women in Rural Communities’ moderated by Lorena van de Kolk, Schuttelaar & Partners. Speakers included Sara Cosgrove, Behavioural Coach; Dr. Irene Lopez de Vallejo, Head of EU Affairs, CTIC Centro Tecnológico; and Prof Sally Shortall, Duke of Northumberland Chair of Rural Economy and UK Joint Professor at South East Technological University.
A number of insightful workshops were also held: Prof Sally Shortall GRASS CEILING Project Coordinator focused on ‘Advancing equality for rural and farm women in Europe. While Sara Cosgrove’s workshop explored the topic of how ‘Mindset is key to enabling healthy EDI practices.’
