The Marketing team of ena Development Consultants—Christos Pitiakoudis, Sofia Argyriadou, and Maria Karyofilaki—in the context of creating the #32 Business Story, spoke with representatives of the 6 partners of #DigiAgriFood, the first European Digital Innovation Hub in the agri-food sector in Greece.
The partners of the hub responded to a series of questions regarding the importance of digital transformation in agri-food, the technologies being utilized, the significant activities of the hub, and their roles in the project. They highlighted their commitment and enthusiasm for the initiative, as well as their expectations for the growth and future of the agri-food sector in Greece.
The #DigiAgriFood hub aims to strengthen the digital and green transformation of the entire agri-food value chain, delivering direct benefits to citizens, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and the public sector. It specializes in technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Advanced Digital Skills, High-Performance Computing, Digital Transformation, and Interoperability, directly contributing to the missions and objectives of the “Digital Europe Programme 2021–2027.”
The role of ena Development Consultants, as Partner, Innovation & Communication Mediator of #DigiAgriFood, is to connect the needs of the real economy and businesses with the innovation produced by the research institutions participating in the hub, while simultaneously developing comprehensive communication strategies for the hub’s goals, activities, and achievements.
Consortium, #DigiAgriFoodled by Democritus University of Thracealso includes the University of Thessaly, the Ινστιτούτο Βιο-Οικονομίας και Αγρο-Τεχνολογίας (iBO) του Εθνικού Κέντρου Έρευνας και Τεχνολογικής Ανάπτυξης (ΕΚΕΤΑ), το Perrotis College της Αμερικανικής Γεωργικής Σχολής και η Region of Eastern Macedonia & Thrace..
Η Μαρία Μιχαλοπούλου, Μέλος της Διοίκησης του Πανεπιστημίου , Συντονίστρια and Επιστημονικά Υπεύθυνη του κόμβου, μοιράστηκε μαζί μας τις σκέψεις της σχετικά με την εξέλιξη της ψηφιακής and πράσινης μετάβασης στον αγροδιατροφικό τομέα "...in Greece and Europe, the role of the Democritus University of Thrace in this process, the university’s contribution to the regional and national innovation ecosystem, as well as the importance of connecting the end-user with the university’s research potential and the related initiatives undertaken to achieve this connection."
Maria Michalopoulou, Member of the University Administration, Coordinator and Scientific Supervisor of the Hub, shared her insights with us regarding the progress of the digital and green transition in the agri-food sector in Greece and Europe. She also discussed the role of the Democritus University of Thrace in this process, the university’s contribution to the regional and national innovation ecosystem, and the importance of connecting end-users with the university’s research capacity.
"Our country lags behind Europe in this field. The progress of digital and green transition in Greece is taking place in relatively small steps. However, this observation does not necessarily imply something negative, as long as the efforts for improvement continue, are well-defined and targeted. In this way, taking into account the specific characteristics of the agri-food sector in our country, we can continue to respond to the challenges." η προσπάθεια βελτίωσης συνεχίζεται, είναι συγκεκριμένη και στοχευμένη, έτσι ώστε σύμφωνα με τα όσα χαρακτηριστικά έχει ο Αγροδιατροφικός τομέας στη χώρα μας, εμείς να συνεχίζουμε να αντιμετωπίζουμε τις προκλήσεις.
The challenges of this transition are dominated by the environmental crisis and the need to discover new ways to cultivate and utilize the agri-food sector.
Ο κόμβος λειτουργεί σας επιταχυντής The hub operates as an accelerator since a significant part of our university’s human resources is now engaged with the agri-food sector. Our focus is precisely on the green and digital transformation, as this aligns with the directions of our departments and the research we conduct. στόχευση μας αφορά ακριβώς τον πράσινο and ψηφιακό μετασχηματισμό, καθώς αυτή είναι η κατεύθυνση που έχουν τα τμήματά μας και οι έρευνες που διενεργούμε.
Thus, on one hand, we are daily expanding the footprint of our efforts in our region, and on the other, the trust that people from the agri-food sector and producer groups have in the University, the tools we develop or have at our disposal, and the ways we can leverage them for their benefit, is also growing. I believe that in the coming years we will be able to take the necessary steps.
Η εξέλιξη σε αυτόν τον τομέα είναι αναμφίβολα θετικήProgress in this field is undoubtedly positive, as both the environmental crisis and the forecasts for food supply in the coming years — not only in our country but globally — compel us to act. These phenomena transcend national borders, and the challenges we face require us to confront the problems with open eyes. Democritus University of Thrace does not ignore these challenges; on the contrary, it makes targeted efforts to achieve the change our society needs. It is crucial to seize this opportunity and not let our potential go to waste, while promoting the social change required for the green and digital transition and leveraging innovation, which Democritus University actively promotes in the region. Τα φαινόμενα αυτά ξεπερνούν τα εθνικά σύνορα, και οι δυσκολίες που αντιμετωπίζουμε μας αναγκάζουν να αντιμετωπίσουμε τα προβλήματα με ανοιχτά μάτια. Το Δημοκρίτειο Πανεπιστήμιο δεν αγνοεί αυτές τις προκλήσεις· αντιθέτως, κάνει στοχευμένες προσπάθειες για να επιτύχει την αλλαγή που η κοινωνία μας χρειάζεται. Είναι κρίσιμο να αξιοποιήσουμε αυτή την ευκαιρία και να μην αφήσουμε τις δυνατότητές μας να πάνε χαμένες, προωθώντας παράλληλα την κοινωνική αλλαγή που απαιτείται για την πράσινη και ψηφιακή μετάβαση, καθώς και για την αξιοποίηση της καινοτομίας, την οποία προάγει το Δημοκρίτειο στην περιοχή.
The contribution of Democritus University of Thrace to the regional and national innovation ecosystem is decisive. The university has undertaken important initiatives, such as the establishment of the Thinc Thrace incubator for startups in Xanthi and the development of an innovation hub. Through these projects, as well as open innovation programs and accelerators, it has strengthened its position in the innovation sector by utilizing European funds from NSRF (ESPA) and other financing programs.
The university’s ability to mobilize these resources is critical, as it ensures the adequacy and success of the implemented projects. However, it is important to recognize that there is still room for improvement — not only at the university level but also nationally — so that our country is better prepared to participate in programs like the Digital Europe Programme, under which #DigiAgriFood falls.
Το πανεπιστήμιο μας συνεργάζεται στενά με τον επιχειρηματικό κόσμο της περιοχής, ενσωματώνοντας την καινοτομία στις ακαδημαϊκές του Our university cooperates closely with the local business community, integrating innovation into its academic activities and emphasizing citizen and local business participation. This ongoing dialogue with society also transforms the university itself, as it continuously invests in its students and research potential. Through these actions, Democritus University of Thrace adapts its curricula to incorporate innovation and respond to the real needs of society. και δίνοντας έμφαση στη συμμετοχή των πολιτών και των τοπικών επιχειρήσεων. Αυτός ο διαρκής διάλογος με την κοινωνία αλλάζει και το ίδιο το πανεπιστήμιο, καθώς επενδύει συνεχώς στους φοιτητές και το ερευνητικό του δυναμικό. Μέσω αυτών των δράσεων, το Δημοκρίτειο Πανεπιστήμιο Θράκης προσαρμόζει τα προγράμματα σπουδών του ώστε να ενσωματώνουν την καινοτομία και να ανταποκρίνονται στις πραγματικές ανάγκες της κοινωνίας.
Connecting the end-user with the research potential of Democritus University of Thrace (DUTH) is a challenging but valuable process. Every time we manage to achieve this connection, added value is created. Programs funded by European resources are a key means for this connection, as they not only promote research but also its application in the real economy and society. These two elements — research and application — are inseparably linked and mutually dependent.
Examples of these efforts include the #DigiAgriFood innovation hub, the Thinc Thrace incubator, as well as dissemination actions and conferences involving all relevant stakeholders. Through these initiatives, we exchange views and concerns and seek possible solutions. Although there are no magic solutions, mutual understanding and cooperation are vital.
Παραδείγματα αυτών των προσπαθειών περιλαμβάνουν τον κόμβο καινοτομίας #DigiAgrifood και τη θερμοκοιτίδα νεοφυών επιχειρήσεων Thinc Thrace incubator, καθώς και τις δράσεις διάδοσης και τα συνέδρια όπου συμμετέχουν όλοι οι σχετικοί φορείς. Μέσα από αυτές τις πρωτοβουλίες, ανταλλάσσουμε απόψεις και προβληματισμούς, και αναζητούμε πιθανές λύσεις. Αν και δεν υπάρχουν μαγικές λύσεις, η αμοιβαία κατανόηση και η συνεργασία είναι ζωτικής σημασίας.
With initiatives such as the European program “Empowering the Margins of Europe through Regional and Global Engagement,” the university aims to empower citizens living in remote regions, encouraging their participation and improving the quality of life of those with limited access to education and health services. This effort requires synergy with other bodies, and the university is on the right path toward this direction.
The #DigiAgriFood hub has opened new horizons for the university, allowing us to design and implement more and more field actions. From the start, I considered this project a catalyst for transforming the university, enabling it to provide services beyond its traditional academic duties. While previous projects focused on research and internal service development, #DigiAgriFood introduced a new culture. The project’s design, involving six partners and providing services to farmers, SMEs, and the public sector, appears successful.
This design works well, not only in Eastern Macedonia and Thrace but also in Thessaly, Western and Central Macedonia, covering about 50% of Greece. So far, results are encouraging, and we plan to expand to more regions and further develop our services. This evolution does not necessarily mean making the services more complex but better adapted to users’ needs, offering solutions that are meaningful and useful to them. Midway through the project, we are beginning to see the first outcomes of this approach.
Read the full #32 Business Story of #DigiAgriFood here.
The proposal for participation in the European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs) program, under the acronym #DigiAgriFood and led by Democritus University of Thrace, with the involvement of ena Development Consultants, was selected by the European Commission within the framework of the “Digital Europe 2021-2027” program. Together with 135 other candidate hubs across Europe, #DigiAgriFood will form innovation ecosystems that generate added value for all citizens in sectors such as health, rural development, and digital governance.
Through the “Digital Europe 2021-2027” program, the European Commission supports the development of the above network of ecosystems, aiming to strengthen the European Union’s capabilities in the fields of High-Performance Computing (HPC), Artificial Intelligence (AI), Cybersecurity, advanced Digital Skills development, and the digital transformation and interoperability of Public Administration.
