Call for participants!

Join the trans4num INSPIRE Hackathon 2024 and apply as a hacker for one or more challenges!

Why participate? The trans4num INSPIRE Hackathon 2024 offers you the chance to join a thriving international knowledge community. Each participant will receive a certificate recognizing their active involvement. Additionally, the top three teams, chosen by a jury based on specific criteria, will have the opportunity to contribute to peer-reviewed articles and citable publications documenting the results of the hackathon, offering a lasting legacy and boosting career prospects.

For more information visit: www.trans4num.eu or www.plan4all.eu/hackathon

Plan4all’s impact at GEO Symposium 2024: Highlighting key projects and new collaborations

Plan4all recently participated in the GEO Symposium and Open Data/Open Knowledge (ODOK) Workshop 2024 in Hangzhou, China, where it presented several innovative projects that demonstrate the organization’s leadership in geospatial data and Earth observation technologies.

Plan4all showcased the trans4num project, which emphasizes sustainable agricultural nutrient management through digital innovations. The upcoming trans4num INSPIRE Hackathon 2024, aimed at fostering collaboration and driving advancements in precision agriculture, was another key topic of discussion. Among the highlighted projects was also PoliRuralPlus, which focuses on improving rural-urban linkages through the integration of GeoAI and spatial predictors.

During the symposium, Karel Charvat from Plan4all had important meetings with the Tsinghua University, a partner in the trans4num project, further strengthening international collaborations. Additionally, Karel met with representatives from Aerospace Information Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences AIR-CAS, key partner in the upcoming BioClima project, set to launch next year. BioClima will focus on international cooperation on improving monitoring for better integrated climate and biodiversity approaches, using environmental and Earth observation.

These discussions and presentations reflect Plan4all’s commitment to leveraging open data and Earth observation technologies to tackle pressing global issues. For more details on the Symposium visit GEO Symposium 2024​.

Video presentation: Geo AI

AGRI-DIGITAL GROWTH project launched

We are happy to inform you about the AGRI-DIGITAL GROWTH project kick off. Plan4all will lead in developing precision farming courses and establishing an innovative living lab, driving forward agricultural technology and collaboration.

Stay tuned for updates on our journey to enhance digital agriculture!

https://www.interreg-central.eu/projects/agri-digital-growth

trans4num INSPIRE Hackathon 2024

Join us in driving innovation for sustainable agricultural nutrient management!

We are exited to announce that the call for challenges for the trans4num INSPIRE
Hackathon 2024
is now open!

We are looking for innovative challenge ideas focused on Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) for sustainable agriculture and land management!

By fostering collaboration between the EU and China, the hackathon aims to inspire young farmers, students, and professionals to engage in creating innovative business ideas utilising NBS technologies.

This aligns with the broader ambition of trans4num to enhance NBS implementation through a multi-level approach involving academic partners, practice partners, and societal stakeholders.

This is a unique opportunity to contribute to the development of impactful solutions, work
with like-minded individuals from around the world, and benefit from the knowledge and
experience of seasoned mentors.

Don’t miss the chance to be part of this transformative event – submit your challenge today at https://trans4num.eu/en/hackathon-2024/submit-challenge/.

More details about the hackathon: https://trans4num.eu/en/hackathon-2024/

Call for proposals: PoliRuralPlus project is seeking innovators in rural-urban interactions

The PoliRuralPlus project, funded by the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme (Grant Agreement No. 101136910), invites innovative proposals for our Outreach Call. This call aims to enhance rural-urban interactions across the EU, fostering grassroots innovations and leveraging technological advancements for sustainable rural development.

Objectives of the Outreach Call

  • Promote innovative ideas that redefine rural-urban interactions
  • Support grassroots initiatives that demonstrate regional intricacies and innovations
  • Award a lump sum of up to 5,000 EUR to selected initiatives fostering regional innovation and leveraging local insights to strengthen rural-urban synergies

Specific Objectives per Pilot Area

Proposals must align with the specific objectives identified in one of the nine designated pilot regions of the PoliRuralPlus project:

  • Ireland (Monaghan County): Enterprise development in the green economy, social enterprise support
  • Slovakia (entire country): Rural revitalization, stakeholder engagement, and capacity building
  • Greece (Region of Central Greece): Sustainable agritech training, agritourism promotion, digital skills enhancement
  • Italy (Apulia): Short food supply chains, healthy diets, rural-urban linkages
  • Finland (Mallusjoki rural district): Rural Event Industry Ecosystem, community engagement, economic opportunities
  • Czech-Bavarian border region: Rural innovation network, connectivity, business opportunities
  • Spain (Segobriga and region of Sierra y Mancha Conquense): Rural-urban synergies, cultural heritage, economic development
  • Latvia (Vidzeme): Regional development monitoring, inclusive governance, innovation support
  • Malta (Malta and Gozo): Digital transformation, entrepreneurial capacity building, youth empowerment

Please note that detailed descriptions of the specific objectives and the spatial extent of the pilot regions are described in the Guidelines for Applicants.

Eligibility Criteria

  • Type of organisation: Open to all types with operational and financial capacity.
  • Single applicants only: No consortia or joint submissions.
  • Eligible countries: Legally established in an EU Member State or Associated Country.
  • Pilot specific proposals: The proposal must address specific challenges and opportunities identified within one of the nine designated pilot regions of the PoliRuralPlus project.
  • Language: English.

Submission Process

  • Online submission: Via the PoliRuralPlus Knowledge Hub.
  • Parts of proposal:
    • Part A: Administrative Form
    • Part B: Technical Description (PDF format)
  • Early submission is highly recommended: Errors in submissions can be corrected and resubmitted before the deadline; only the latest version will be considered.

Financial Support

  • Funding: Up to 5,000 EUR lump sum for successful proposals.
  • Total allocation: 45,000 EUR, expected to fund 9 sub-projects.
  • Subcontracting or transferring funds to third parties is not permitted.

Key Dates

  • Call opening: 3 June 2024
  • Proposal submission opening: 24 June 2024
  • Submission Deadline: 31 July 2024, 17:00 CEST
  • Expected notification of results: 6 September 2024
  • Signature of Sub-Grant Agreement: September 2024
  • Expected implementation period: October – December 2024

Contact and Assistance

For additional support, including consultancy on proposal preparation, applicants are encouraged to contact the designated contact points for each pilot region, whose details can be found on the PoliRuralPlus Knowledge Hub. For any other questions, please use opencalls@poliruralplus.eu.

Disclaimer: Applicants are advised to regularly check the PoliRuralPlus Knowledge Hub for the latest information and updates regarding the open call. PoliRuralPlus reserves the right to make any updates to the open call at any time without prior notice.

Open Call Documents

Additional requirements, terms, and conditions are part of the open call documents, including:

  • Guidelines for Applicants (PDF)
  • Template for Part B – Technical Description (MS Word document)
  • Model Sub-Grant Agreement (PDF, to be published by 23 June 2024)

Applicants are advised to carefully review all accompanying documents available on the PoliRuralPlus Knowledge Hub to ensure full compliance and understanding of the submission process and requirements.

SmartAfriHub 3.0 webinar on 5th December2023!

Be the first to explore SmartAfriHub 3.0! Join our exclusive webinar on 5th December 2023!

SmartAfriHub webinar: Exploring new horizons in spatial data management
● Date: 5th December 2023


About SmartAfriHub
Developed through the collaboration of EU and African scientists and technicians, SmartAfriHub is a groundbreaking platform based on Hub4Everybody’s technology. This unique solution facilitates the publishing, sharing, and cooperative management of geographical datasets, including:

  • Professional data and measurements
  • Research project results
  • Student papers
  • Educational materials
  • Maps and in-field research visualizations
  • Various maps, tables, and databases

Why attend?

  • Discover SmartAfriHub 3.0: The latest version integrates an e-learning platform, enhancing our capacity-building and training modules.
  • Learn about our social space: SmartAfriHub is not just a tool but a social space where users from diverse backgrounds contribute and collaborate.
  • Explore our unique features: From spatial data management to data analysis and education, SmartAfriHub offers unparalleled possibilities.

Webinar Agenda

  1. SmartAfriHub Overview: Dive into the core features and benefits.
  2. Web management of spatial data: Techniques and tools for efficient data management.
  3. Working with QGIS client & Wagtail CMS: Hands-on demonstrations and insights.
  4. Educational module possibilities: Explore the potential of our integrated e-learning platform.
    Who should attend? This webinar is ideal for professionals, researchers, students, and anyone interested in spatial data management, GIS technologies, and collaborative platforms for geographical data.

Who should attend?

This webinar is ideal for professionals, researchers, students, and anyone interested in spatial data management, GIS technologies, and collaborative platforms for geographical data.

Hub4Everybody / SmartAfriHub description

Hub4Everybody is a one-of-a-kind solution for publishing, sharing and cooperative
management of geographical datasets, such as professional data and measuring, results of research projects or student papers, educational materials, emotional maps, visualization of in-field research and other maps, tables, or databases. You can easily upload or update your data as well as adjust the parameters of sharing among different audiences. Hub4Everybody is an alternative tool combining online office software with an editorial system for spatial data. It is also an open-source alternative to already existing commercial solutions while offering additional extending options like e-learning. SmartAfriHub is just one instance of the Hub4Everybody platform. The solution can be tailored to your needs and deployed anywhere.

Open Call: Seeking Applicants for the PLUS Change Ambassadors of Change programme

PLUS Change is looking for candidates from different cultural and professional backgrounds to join our Ambassadors of Change programme. Selected Ambassadors will contribute to discussions on equitable land use, representing the interests of groups that are often excluded from or underrepresented in land use planning and decision making. By joining PLUS Change as an Ambassador, you can have a voice in helping to build a more equitable, sustainable future!

Find out more at https://pluschange.eu/open-call-ambassadors-of-change/

Artificial Intelligence in Agriculture (AgriAI’24) – IEEE – Call for paper

We cordially invite you to submit your original contributions to AgriAI’24 – the 2nd International Workshop on Artificial Intelligence in Agriculture,
which will take place as a satellite workshop to IEEE FedCSIS 2024, to be held in Belgrade, Serbia, on 8–11 September, 2024.
Please see the workshop website: https://2024.fedcsis.org/thematic/agriai and the general conference web page  https://fedcsis.org/  for more information.

Paper submission deadline: May 14, 2024

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is increasingly used in agriculture for a variety of uses, from plant disease detection to weeding automation, soil status monitoring, crop prediction, irrigation management, and decreased use of resources for improving quality and productivity. This workshop welcomes contributions related to a wide variety of interdisciplinary research and applications related to artificial intelligence in agriculture. AI can, in fact, provide highly positive effects on precision agriculture by optimizing, automating and forecasting several aspects of farming and revolutionizing the sector, providing helpful information and driving decisions using multiple sources of data and different sensors.

Moreover, in the climate change era, AI can improve sustainability by optimizing the use of resources such as water and soil management. We welcome innovative contributions, early results and position papers addressing one or more of the topics listed below and intend to foster informal discussions and bring together researchers, practitioners and industry experts to explore the challenges and opportunities of AI and Agriculture. We look forward to receiving your submissions and seeing you at the workshop!

Topics

Papers related to theories, methodologies, and applications in science and technology in the field of AI in Agriculture are especially solicited. Topics covering academic research, applications and lesson learnt are included, but not limited to:

  • Computer vision in agriculture
  • Signal and image processing in agriculture
  • Computational intelligence in agriculture
  • Artificial intelligence in agriculture
  • Decision support systems
  • Expert systems & predictive systems
  • AI-based precision agriculture
  • Machine learning and pattern recognition
  • IoT in agriculture
  • Food and livestock management
  • Big data
  • Remote sensing
  • Unmanned aerial vehicle vehicles
  • Autonomous driving in agriculture
  • Harvesting automation
  • Robotics and robotic perception in agriculture
  • Digital twins for agriculture
  • Data space for agriculture
  • Ethics and social impact of AI on agriculture
  • AI-based crowd-sensing and participatory approaches in agriculture
  • Applications in agriculture
     

A PoliRural Result Featured by the Innovation Radar of the EU

The RAI index mapping tool – a map-based analytical tool for assessment of attractiveness of European regions with a focus on rural area is featured by the Innovation Radar of the EU.

This innovation was assessed by the JRC’s Market Creation Potential indicator framework as having a “Noteworthy” level of Market Creation Potential.

Find out more at https://innovation-radar.ec.europa.eu/innovation/50583