The general objective of GUARDIANS is the empowerment of small- and medium-sized farms through smart solutions. A multi-actor co-creation methodological framework supported by a farmer engagement and acceptance package will leverage the acceptance and uptake rates of innovative digital technologies by farmers. A set of nine digital innovative solutions will be tested in four testbeds and piloted in at least 21 small- and medium-sized farms (including different types of crops, grassland, and livestock in Spain, Italy, Sweden, and Czechia), reaching a total of 89 farmers through the rollout and replication phase.
The aforementioned general objective will be addressed by the following six specific objectives:
O1. Provision of a tailored set of digital innovative solutions.
Develop a wide set of tailor-made digital innovative solutions, from existing ones, that are feasible for small- and medium-sized farms and farm structures, arable and woody crops and livestock production across Europe. Following a co-creation process, the project will contribute to digitalisation in this kind of farms.
O2. Demonstration of a multi-actor co-creation methodological framework to increase the acceptance rates of digital technologies and digital maturity of farmers.
This objective aims to tackle the increasing digital disparity among small and large farms. GUARDIANS will centre its efforts in developing strategies for an initial digitalisation of small farms.
O3. Definition of clear pathways towards more sustainable, productive and resilient agricultural business and governance models targeting the adoption of environmentally friendly farming approaches to leverage the use of innovative digital technologies by farmers.
The activities within GUARDIANS will lead towards developing replicable and innovative farming models, attractive to be adopted by other farmers, farming cooperatives, communities or associations.
O4. Implementation of the concept of one-stop-shop under the umbrella of existing farming cooperatives, communities, or associations to foster technological innovation for small- and medium-sized farms.
A one-stop-shop is an innovation centre that binds together knowledge on existing technologies, best practices on business models and agroecological farming approaches, or financial schemes; all of this, as a local contact point for farmers’ support.
O5. Valorise the environmental and social impact of new farming approaches by certificates (blockchain technologies) of sustainable actions increasing the positive environmental impact of the small- and medium-sized farms.
Small- and medium-sized farms will increase their efforts to valorise the positive environmental impact of their activities and, also, to foster their social recognition as guardians of natural heritage, landscapes, and rural areas.
O6. Foster a cascading grants mechanism.
A cascade funding mechanism will be used to spread the provision of new digital technologies and validation use cases, both developed and engaged within the project
