Join the Future of Agriculture: Participate in the Precision Farming Hackathon

Are you ready to shape the future of agriculture using cutting-edge technology? Join the Precision Farming Hackathon and dive into solving real-world challenges with AI-powered solutions. This is your opportunity to combine innovation, technology, and creativity to address some of agriculture’s most pressing issues.


Hackathon Overview

📅 Dates: 6-7 February 2025, 24-hour event

📍 Location: Online


Why Participate?

Develop In-Demand Skills: Gain hands-on experience with machine learning, AI, and geospatial data analysis while addressing real-world agricultural problems.

Networking Opportunities: Connect with industry leaders, mentors, and like-minded innovators passionate about technology and sustainability.

Non-Paid Internship Opportunity: Winners will have the chance to participate in a three- to six-month internship with Plan4all, a renowned non-profit organization specializing in open data and geospatial solutions.

  • Duration: Flexible between three to six months, depending on the student’s availability and project progress.
  • Academic Growth: Opportunities for paid collaboration on master’s or doctoral theses, supporting both academic and professional development.
  • Reimbursement: Travel expenses will be reimbursed for in-situ meetings required during the internship.

Career Growth: Impress potential employers or collaborators with your innovative thinking and technical skills.

Key Challenge Focus: AI-Powered Cloud Removal for Satellite Imagery

Problem: Cloud cover often obstructs satellite imagery, limiting its use in agriculture. Accurate, cloud-free data is essential for calculating vegetation indices (e.g., NDVI) and assessing crop health.

Existing Solution: Advanced AI models like UnCRtainTS and U-Net have successfully reconstructed cloud-free satellite images by integrating radar (Sentinel-1) and optical (Sentinel-2) data. These models deliver actionable insights into crop health and stress levels.

Your Task:

  • Evaluate how well current cloud removal models perform in Central Europe, with its unique agricultural conditions like high seasonal cloud cover and diverse crop types.
  • Fine-tune and enhance these models to work with region-specific datasets, improving their accuracy and efficiency for real-time agricultural decision-making.
  • Develop smart, actionable tools that empower farmers to optimize crop management and adapt to changing environmental conditions.

How to Join

Who Can Apply?

We’re seeking:

● University students or recent graduates (within the past two years).

● Passionate individuals with an interest in agriculture, sustainability, and innovation.

● Participants with knowledge of IoT, AI, or robotics (helpful but not required).

This is an individual hackathon, meaning you’ll compete solo on your chosen challenge.

Ready to Hack the Future of Agriculture?

Don’t miss out on this chance to be part of something transformative. With AI and precision farming, the possibilities are endless. Register now and help farmers optimize productivity, adapt to environmental changes, and build a more sustainable future.

FOCAL project launched

On November 18th and 19th, 2024, the Kick-Off Meeting of the FOCAL project took place in Darmstadt, marking the official launch of this initiative, which includes the participation of the Plan4all association.

The FOCAL project, part of the HORIZON-RIA funding framework, is a 36-month endeavor involving 15 partners from the Czech Republic, Germany, Slovakia, Belgium, Spain, and Greece.

The primary goal of the FOCAL project is to develop a cutting-edge platform that combines intelligent workflow management with high-performance computing infrastructure, including advanced data management, and connectivity to artificial intelligence (AI) tools. This platform will enable fast and efficient training and validation of AI models while supporting the design of workflows to enhance understanding of local-scale climate change impacts.

The project focuses on two pilot projects: urban planning and forestry. The forestry pilot will be implemented in the Czech Republic with the active involvement of the Plan4All association.

In addition, the FOCAL project will generate new insights into essential Earth system processes by integrating advanced remote sensing technologies with innovative methodologies. By leveraging a diverse range of remote sensing datasets, the FOCAL project will improve climate modeling, deliver more accurate climate predictions and provide a more comprehensive understanding of interactions within Earth systems.

Agri-Digital Growth project at EIMA International 2024

The Agri-Digital Growth (ADG) project, led by CREA and supported by Plan4all as a partner, will feature prominently at EIMA International 2024 in Bologna from November 6–10, 2024. Highlighting digital and precision farming, the ADG team will launch the Precision Farming Ecosystem on November 7, 2024 in the Notturno Room, a collaboration hub that aims to boost digital skills, innovation, and sustainable practices across Central Europe’s agrifood sector.

Supported by Interreg CENTRAL EUROPE, the ADG project addresses critical challenges in digital agriculture. The launch event will include presentations from industry experts, including FederUnacoma, EIT Digital, CREA, and regional representatives from Veneto and Emilia Romagna regions, who will discuss market trends, knowledge transfer (AKIS), and the Precision Farming Specialist initiative.

We invite stakeholders, agricultural innovators, and anyone interested in the future of sustainable agriculture to join, network, and engage with leading experts in digital agriculture. Secure your attendance by registering before October 31st here​.

Plan4all and it’s members showcase cutting-edge digital innovations at Synergy Days 2024

Plan4all, one of the key partners in the PoliRuralPlus project, played an important role at  Synergy Days 2024 in Barcelona. This event marked a significant gathering for digital innovators in the agri-food sector, with a focus on fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange across Europe. With over 550 participants and 39 projects represented, including PoliRuralPlus, ALIANCE and COMUNIDAD, the event provided a platform for discussions on the rapid digital transformation in agriculture. Key topics included the adoption of AI, data sharing, and overcoming challenges such as poor internet access in rural areas.

Plan4all as the umbrella organization for innovation 

At Synergy Days, hosted by the SmartAgriHubs project on October 14-15, 2024, Plan4all’s contributions were highlighted not only through its direct involvement but also through coordination and support for projects that are at the forefront of digital transformation in rural-urban development:

The Czech Center for Science and Society under Plan4all contributed its expertise in the  PoliRuralPlus project, focusing on integrating urban and rural development strategies through advanced digital tools.

Lesprojekt-služby leading initiatives in both the ALIANCE and COMUNIDAD projects, which leverage big data, AI, and remote sensing for precision farming and rural development.

Asplan Viak played a key role in the development and presentation of Jackdaw, an innovative tool introduced at the event, designed to integrate Large Language Models (LLMs) with geospatial data for enhanced decision-making.

Workshops showcasing advanced tools and results 

Plan4all members hosted multiple workshops that drew attention to key digital innovations developed across its projects. These workshops highlighted several tools and methodologies:

Hub4Everybody   

The PoliRuralPlus project, in collaboration with ALIANCE , and COMUNIDAD demonstrated the  Hub4Everybody platform. This versatile hub enables the management and presentation of rural-related data, providing a powerful solution for handling complex datasets, various maps, and supporting detailed geospatial analyses. The session included live demonstrations, showcasing how the platform can be applied across various sectors.

Jackdaw: LLM and GeoAI tool   

 Another exciting workshop introduced Jackdaw, a tool integrating Large Language Models (LLMs) with geospatial data to generate insightful outputs for stakeholders. Developed within the PoliRuralPlus framework, this tool demonstrates the potential of LLMs to transform decision-making processes in agriculture and rural governance. The session featured discussions with experts from ADRA  and BDVA, focusing on the integration of LLMs with spatial data  to generate actionable insights for stakeholders.

Jackdaw takes flight! Stay tuned as we uncover the features of Jackdaw!

AI in Earth monitoring for agriculture   

In collaboration with Lesprojekt-služby within the ALIANCE project, experts from Czech Technical University and Czech Center for Science and Society discussed the role of  AI in enhancing Earth monitoring systems. The session showcased two case studies addressing challenges such as cloud cover in satellite imagery and improving local weather forecasts using  AI-driven data fusion techniques.

Plan4all’s role in shaping future innovation 

Through its active participation and leadership, Plan4all solidified its position as a key player in the digital transformation of rural-urban communities. The event provided a platform for Plan4all and its partners to collaborate with stakeholders across Europe, driving forward solutions that address the challenges of territorial fragmentation and governance. The showcased tools, such as Jackdaw incorporating LLM models and GeoAI, and  Hub4Everybody, demonstrated the potential to revolutionize rural development and improve decision-making processes.

Plan4all remains committed to fostering innovation and strengthening collaborations through its projects, ensuring that digital tools like those presented at Synergy Days 2024 contribute to a more sustainable and interconnected future.

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.