Hazel Peavoy of ENTIRE European Digital Innovation Hub (EDIH) and Walton Institute at South East Technological University (SETU) has been appointed Chair of the EU’s Thematic Working Group (TWG) on AgriFood, a role coordinated through the Digital Transformation Accelerator (DTA) on behalf of the European Commission.
The appointment follows the success of the EDIH Summit in Brussels in late 2024, where Hazel and her colleagues from Walton and SETU led a highly impactful TWG workshop for the EDIHs working on digital innovation in the agri-food sector. The sessions, praised for their practicality and stakeholder alignment, were instrumental in shaping the 2025 Action Plan for the TWG — a roadmap now already halfway through implementation.
Thematic Working Groups (TWGs) are an initiative of the European Commission designed to foster collaboration, best practice sharing, and strategic alignment among EDIHs working in similar sectors or themes. In addition to AgriFood, TWGs also cover areas such as Smart Cities, Cyber Security, Digital Health, and others. These groups aim to amplify the impact of digital innovation by encouraging hubs to collaborate rather than work in isolation — contributing to a shared European knowledge base and support structure.
“The workshop in Brussels gave us a strong pulse on what EDIHs working in the AgriFood sector across Europe were facing and striving for,” says Hazel. “It helped us build an action plan that’s grounded, collaborative, and focused on delivery.”
The AgriFood TWG brings together over 40 European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs) working in agriculture and food innovation. One of Hazel’s key priorities as Chair is ensuring that this large and diverse group remains heard, represented, and supported.
“We have to work with all 40 EDIHs,” she explains. “That means listening closely to what they need and responding with concrete actions that add value.”
To support this inclusive approach, the TWG has introduced a new rotation and voting system, allowing leadership and initiative design to rotate among the member EDIHs. The goal is to foster a more dynamic and participative culture within the TWG and ensure that leadership reflects the network’s diversity.
“This isn’t about one EDIH leading,” Hazel adds. “It’s about creating space for many to contribute and shape the future of agri-food innovation in Europe for SMEs and Public Service Organisations.”
The TWG’s work directly supports the European Commission’s digital policy ambitions by participating in expert working groups, disseminating policy insights, and gathering grassroots feedback from across the EDIH network. A recent example includes involvement in the upcoming EU workshop on AI in Agriculture, as well as a policy-focused session planned for Synergy Days in late 2025 with speakers from across the Commission and regional leadership.
Looking ahead, Hazel emphasizes the importance of building on existing resources and relationships. “We want to use and reuse what’s already out there — from EU projects to established networks. Initiatives like the Synergy Days Event, the Synergy Days Portal along with events such as Transforming Agriculture with AI (hosted by AgTech Ireland) are helping us connect the dots more effectively,” she says.
Hazel’s leadership marks a new chapter for the TWG as it continues to position Europe’s AgriFood sector at the forefront of digital transformation — powered by collaboration, informed by practice, and aligned with policy.
