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Walton Institute was proud to represent ENTIRE European Digital Innovation Hub (EDIH) at 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.
EDIHs like ENTIRE help SMEs and Public Service Organisations (PSOs) by equipping them with the essential digital tools to improve their competitiveness, upgrade their infrastructure, and boost their overall digital capacities. The Synergy Days 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.
In the ‘European Digital Innovation Hubs: Building digital capacity in your region’ session 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 – spoke of how both organisations enhanced their digital transformation through their engagement with ENTIRE. 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 EDIHs.
ENTIRE and Dungarvan Enterprise Centre also hosted the ‘Building Stronger Rural Communities in a Changing Europe’ workshop which explored innovative approaches to integrate new populations into existing structures, leverage biases to create more inclusive communities, and design the rural regions of tomorrow.
ENTIRE jointly hosted another workshop ‘Collaborative Innovation for European Digital Innovation Hubs’ with EDIH Bretagne France, and DigiAgriFood EDIH Greece, bringing EDIHs together to exchange ideas, and form innovative strategies that address the unique needs of each region’s digital transformation goals.
International Day of Rural Women was also celebrated during the conference. Walton Institute is a key 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. As part of Synergy Days GAIA members put together a comprehensive agenda 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’ featuring 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.’ Thanks to all those who contributed to these constructive conversations. We look forward to taking part in Synergy Days 2025.
For more information on ENTIRE and the services available for your SME or PSO visit https://entire-edih.ie/