Sector Roundtables: Catalysts for Innovation

The challenge lies in delivering services precisely tailored to the specific needs of SMEs within the sectors covered by EDIH DATAlife, while effectively disseminating the opportunities provided by the project across the identified value chains. The goal is to promote digitisation within these industries by diverse actions that could be implemented, such as:

• Providing Customised Digital Solutions: Offering bespoke digital tools and technologies that address the unique requirements and challenges faced by SMEs in their respective sectors.

• Training and Workshops: Organising comprehensive training sessions and workshops to educate SMEs on the latest digital trends, technologies, and best practices.

• Facilitating Access to Digital Infrastructure: Helping SMEs gain access to essential digital infrastructure, such as cloud services, data analytics platforms, and cybersecurity solutions.

• Creating Collaboration Networks: Establishing networks and platforms for SMEs to collaborate with technology providers, industry experts, and other stakeholders to foster innovation and knowledge sharing.

• Funding and Resources: Providing information on available funding opportunities and resources to support the digital transformation efforts of SMEs.

By focusing on these and other diverse areas, we aim to not only support the digital transformation of SMEs but also to drive broader industry advancements and economic development within the sectors covered by DATAlife.

DATAlife and its associated clusters have designed an annual calendar of roundtable discussions tailored to address critical questions to guide the consortium in shaping various aspects of the project. The sessions covered:

• Challenge definition: What are the primary challenges faced by the sector, and what initial ideas can we generate on how digitalisation can offer solutions? Is essential to analyse the obstacles and brainstorm about digital solutions to address these challenges.

• Digitalisation maturity: what technologies are already being used in the sector and what is the level of awareness of participants on those not implemented yet? Is important to evaluate the technologies currently in use within the sector and to understand how these technologies are integrated into daily operations and their impact.

• Data: what appetite is there to share data using federated data spaces and what are the main barriers to do so? An assessment of the willingness among stakeholders to share data using federated data spaces, as well as evaluating the barriers that prevent organisations from doing so.

• Training needs: what format and content should the training courses in our project take? Aspects such as format customisation, content relevance, engagement and interactivity are aspects to be considered during the design of the training service offering.

Given the diversity of the sectors covered by DATAlife, each session—except the one dedicated to Data—had specialised instances tailored to different value chains. These value chains include:

• Health Care

• Agriculture and husbandry

• Aquaculture

• Biotechnology

• Forestry and timber

Each session includes a detailed presentation, comprehensive minutes of the meeting, attendees' information and a list of potential services offered by the EDIH to these sectors. Additionally, short surveys are distributed to gather valuable input from participants. Most sessions were conducted in person, facilitating informal discussions among participants.

During the first year of the project, a total of 15 events were held, attracting 350 attendees. The information gathered from these events has already begun to shape the design of our training catalogue, technological services, and dissemination activities.

One of the main benefits of these events is the opportunity to explain the potential solutions offered by the EDIH to stakeholders. This is particularly valuable for SMEs, many of whom find it challenging to navigate digital transformation. By engaging in peer-to-peer discussions, participants can provide feedback on their needs, which allows us to tailor EDIH solutions more precisely to their specific requirements.

This service is co-funded equally by the European Commission and the National Ministry, ensuring that SMEs only need to cover the applicable taxes (VAT).