Facilitating and stimulating the unleashing of innovation potential through the first Pan EU-Africa sustainable network of Digital Innovation Hubs (DIHs) focussing on smart logistic.

Project Information

DIGILOGIC

Grant agreement ID: 101016583

DOI

10.3030/101016583

Project closed

EC signature date 10 December 2020

Start date 1 January 2021

End date 31 December 2023

Funded under

• INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Leadership in enabling and industrial technologies - Information and Communication Technologies (ICT)

Total cost

€ 2 279 970,37

EU contribution

€ 1 939 315,00

Coordinated by

DIGITAL HUB MANAGEMENT GMBH
Germany

Periodic Reporting for period 2 - DIGILOGIC (Facilitating and stimulating the unleashing of innovation potential through the first Pan EU-Africa sustainable network of Digital Innovation Hubs (DIHs) focussing on smart logistic.)

Reporting period: 2022-07-01 to 2023-12-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

The vision of DIGILOGIC is to boost the cooperation and strategic partnership between European and African Digital Innovation Hubs (DIHs) paving the way for startups, SMEs and innovators to jointly develop smart logistic solutions, in close cooperation with industries and ventures, securing sustainability and success.

DIGILOGIC sees the horizontally connecting logistics industry at the converging point of interest for digital innovation for social and business development, a crucial node for Europe’s and Africa’s sustainable prosperity.

DIGILOGIC is centered on five DIHs: three DIHs in Europe (GER, FI, IT) and two DIHs in Africa (GH, ZA), reaching nine countries (GH, NG, ZM, ZA, KE, MW, ZW, NA, MZ).

The motivation that drives the EU-Africa DIGILOGIC project is to facilitate and stimulate the unleashing of the innovation potential within Africa’s young engineers and entrepreneurs. DIGILOGIC is unique in that it includes both an online community platform for smart logistics and the first practical demonstration of the success of this new federation of smart logistic EU-Africa DIHs, by incorporating four, so-called, “Challenges” that will involve both European and African innovators (startups, ICT professionals, Micro SMEs) in real projects in the logistic sector, to solve existing issues that require new technological solutions.

These Challenges (both in EU and AU) will not only demonstrate the benefits of using trained and skilled persons from low- /middle- income African countries (thereby contributing to youth employment), but will set the stage for tighter collaboration between EU-AU Digital Innovation Hubs and contribute to reinforcing the international dimension strategic partnership and outreach of the EU-AU strategic innovation partnership.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

WP1:
- Creation of a video explaining the system of the critical mile logistics in Africa based on a series of online expert consultations and interviews
- Creation of High-level Advisory Board and Impact and Innovation Board
- Engagement of ecosystem actors for all DIGILOGIC activities
- Development of a system map of key stakeholders, remindeding all involved partners about the relevant players and how systemic issues could be tackled

WP2:
- Development of strategic research and innovation agenda based on interviews with stakeholders from the logistics industry in EU and AU.
- Development and adaptation of Online mentoring concept based on the needs of the target group. A total of 41 online workshops with 17 companies were conducted
- Conduction of 14 interviews with African on-the-ground experts, published as podcasts and articles on the Community Platform
- Development of an African Trend Radar through a multi-method approach: analysis of expert interviews, companies from the company consultations, startups from the challenges programme and a thorough literature review. It was published as D2.4 and as a flyer was to ensure appropriate communication and dissemination of the asset.

WP3:
- Peer learning activity: conducted virtually and intensified through 3 in-person consortium meetings in Dortmund, Lusaka and Udine
- Development of the DIGILOGIC Community Platform for innovators and those interested in smart logistics to network, join the activities and access valuable ressources from the online library and eLearning courses
- Two editions of the Capacity Building Programme with > 50 participants were held targeting unemployed youth, in particular women
- 6 Co-Creation IMPACT Labs were implemented including real African business cases and problems in the Logistics Critical Mile that were solved by the participants with hands-on co-creation groupwork methodology, from problem statement to early prototype

WP4:
- Collaboration within the consortium and relevant organizations outside the consortium including other EU projects and African DIHs
- Definition of the scope and objectives of the Challenges Programme and publication of the Call for Proposals. 80 proposals have been received and evaluated.
- 12 startups were chosen from the applications and went through a 1 year mentoring programme
- The mentoring was specifically set up based on the individual demand of each startup. It included 85h of individual mentoring provided by the consortium partners

WP5:
- Dissemination of project results through press releases, social media, mailing list, website, promotional materials
- Participation in 46 external events
- Organization of a Pitch Webinar for Innovators along with a Demo Day co-located with the AU-EU innovation festival
- Strategic Workshops were conducted in Dortmund, Lusaka, and Udine to prioritize sustainability strategies
- The Horizon Results Booster programme was attended to ensure sustainable project follow-up
- Development of an outreach and impact assessment report and a Sustainability Plan: This plan centers on fostering the sustainable development of the DCP, serving as a vital focal point for ensuring long-term exploitation. It actively leverages collaboration between Digital Innovation Hubs (DIHs) in Africa and the EU, fostering a dynamic and enduring ecosystem.

WP6:
Appropriate measures and activities have been set up in order to ensure the smooth collaboration between the partners. This includes regular meetings with the whole consortium and within work packages, bilateral feedback meetings, a thorough evaluation of the project progress and collaboration etc.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

DIGILOGIC project's exploitation activities have yielded significant outcomes and set the stage for continued impact. DHM's leadership in developing a Policy Recommendations Paper underscores the project's commitment to influencing policy and strategic collaboration between EU and AU Digital Innovation Hubs. Endeva's sustained use of the system mapping methodology, proven effective in exploring diverse systems, indicates a valuable approach for future problem-solving endeavours. Apodissi's expanded international partnerships, catalysed by DIGILOGIC, exemplify the project's success in fostering collaborations beyond its immediate scope. Together, these initiatives showcase the project's enduring influence on policy, methodologies, and international collaborations, ensuring a legacy in the realm of smart logistics and innovation.

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