The proposal for participation in the European Digital Innovation Hubs program (EDIHs), acronym #DigiAgriFood, led by the Democritus University of Thrace and involving Perrotis College of the American Farm School, has been selected by the European Commission as part of the "Digital Europe 2021-2027" program. Together with 135 other candidate hubs across Europe, #DigiAgriFood will constitute innovation ecosystems that will generate added value for all citizens in areas such as health, rural development, and digital governance.
Through the "Digital Europe 2021-2027" program, the European Commission supports the development of this network of ecosystems, aiming to enhance the European Union's capabilities in high-performance computing (HPC), artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, the development of advanced digital skills, and the digital transformation of public administration and interoperability.
As a member state, Greece will participate in the network with four hubs, which will be funded by the European Commission with a budget of around 9.3 million euros for three years, while three additional hubs can join the network without European funding, having received the EU's seal of excellence. The Greek hubs will operate in technological areas such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, the Internet of Things, 5G, big data analysis, and blockchain, in combination with policy sectors such as health, rural development, e-governance, and more.
Ranked second among the approved hubs to be funded, with a total project budget of 4.2 million euros, #DigiAgriFood consists of the Democritus University of Thrace, ena Development Consultants, the University of Thessaly, the Institute of Bioeconomy and Agro-Technology (iBO) of the National Center for Research and Technological Development (ΕΚΕΤΑ), Perrotis College of the American Farm School, and the Region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace.
The #DigiAgriFood consortium aims to facilitate the digital and green transformation of the entire agri-food value chain, benefiting thousands of end-users and businesses operating in the agriculture and food sector in the regions of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace, Central Macedonia, Western Macedonia, Epirus, and Thessaly, over the three plus four years of project implementation.
Recognizing the vital importance of the agri-food sector for the AMT region, as well as for Central and Northern Greece, and the urgent need to improve the level of digital maturity of businesses operating in this sector, the #DigiAgriFood hub aims to facilitate their digital and green transformation, with direct benefits for citizens, SMEs, and the public sector.
To achieve these objectives and in full alignment with Europe's common climate and environmental goals, as defined in the Green Deal, the hub will leverage its expertise in technologies such as artificial intelligence, advanced digital skills, and high-performance computing. Overall, the plan is to establish five fully operational one-stop-shops and ten spots, covering the entire geographical area of the EDIH to ensure direct interaction with the target groups.
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