Periodic Reporting for period 1 - DIGITAL-HE BEPCY24 (Research to Reality: Digital Solutions to European Challenges)
Período documentado: 2023-06-01 hasta 2024-04-30
The European Union prioritizes digital transformation to foster economic growth and societal well-being. Through Horizon Europe and the Digital Europe Programme, the EU aims to enhance digital capacity and infrastructure. Horizon Europe, with a budget of €95.5 billion over seven years, promotes scientific excellence and addresses global challenges through advanced research, focusing heavily on digitalisation and cybersecurity. The Digital Europe Programme complements this by focusing on the practical deployment of digital technologies, bridging the gap between research and market application.
Challenges have arisen in aligning priorities and fostering cooperation between research and deployment teams. The Belgian presidency in 2024 offers a strategic opportunity to evaluate and enhance these synergies. The primary objective is to organize an event during the Belgian presidency to foster dialogue and collaboration among stakeholders from both programmes. The event aims to identify and address challenges, propose actionable recommendations, and facilitate networking to drive future projects. It will evaluate the effectiveness of the Digital Europe Programme and collect feedback for future improvements.
The event will showcase successful digitalisation projects to inspire further cooperation and generate policy recommendations to support Europe's Digital Decade objectives. The expected impact includes enhanced synergies between Horizon Europe and the Digital Europe Programme, leading to cohesive digital research and deployment strategies. Informed policy recommendations will enhance programme effectiveness, aligning them with market and societal needs. Accelerated deployment of digital technologies will drive economic growth, improve public services, and enhance societal well-being. Greater innovation will result from the cross-pollination of ideas between researchers and industry deployers. Broader societal benefits will be achieved by addressing challenges through digital solutions, contributing to improved public health, security, and environmental sustainability.
By bridging the gap between research and practical application, this project aims to ensure that digital innovations provide tangible benefits for European citizens and businesses, significantly contributing to Europe's Digital Decade goals.
Challenges have arisen in aligning priorities and fostering cooperation between research and deployment teams. The Belgian presidency in 2024 offers a strategic opportunity to evaluate and enhance these synergies. The primary objective is to organize an event during the Belgian presidency to foster dialogue and collaboration among stakeholders from both programmes. The event aims to identify and address challenges, propose actionable recommendations, and facilitate networking to drive future projects. It will evaluate the effectiveness of the Digital Europe Programme and collect feedback for future improvements.
The event will showcase successful digitalisation projects to inspire further cooperation and generate policy recommendations to support Europe's Digital Decade objectives. The expected impact includes enhanced synergies between Horizon Europe and the Digital Europe Programme, leading to cohesive digital research and deployment strategies. Informed policy recommendations will enhance programme effectiveness, aligning them with market and societal needs. Accelerated deployment of digital technologies will drive economic growth, improve public services, and enhance societal well-being. Greater innovation will result from the cross-pollination of ideas between researchers and industry deployers. Broader societal benefits will be achieved by addressing challenges through digital solutions, contributing to improved public health, security, and environmental sustainability.
By bridging the gap between research and practical application, this project aims to ensure that digital innovations provide tangible benefits for European citizens and businesses, significantly contributing to Europe's Digital Decade goals.
Initial Steps and Planning:
The project began with preparatory activities to align partners on the event's scope and goals. The main challenge of organizing content and speakers for 12 breakout sessions was addressed by appointing "co-directors" from both the Belgian regional side and the European Commission. They set the session scopes, contacted speakers, and structured the discussions, successfully securing 90 speakers. Regular meetings with regional partners and the European Commission ensured smooth progress. Expanding the event from one to two days required additional partners like Ideal-ist for company visits, incurring extra costs that proved beneficial given positive feedback.
Event Breakdown:
The “Research to Reality – Digital Solutions for European Challenges” event, held on February 5-6, 2024, in Brussels, was organized by the Belgian Regions of Flanders, Wallonia, and Brussels, with DG CONNECT.
• Day 1:
Featured policy discussions and keynotes by Luc Van den hove (imec), Roberto Viola (DG CNECT), Ana Barjasic (Connectology, EIC Board), and Patricia Besson (Thales).
Included 12 breakout sessions on European digital leadership, technological autonomy, and funding, covering AR/VR/XR, AI, Semiconductors, and Digital Europe Programme achievements.
• Day 2:
Workshops on programme participation and visits to imec, Buildwise, and FARI showcased regional technological advancements. Ideal-ist facilitated networking activities and set up 6 workshops.
Event Outcomes:
The event had 650 on-site and 600 online attendees, receiving high ratings for livestream quality, content, interaction, and overall experience. Networking opportunities and company visits were especially well-received.
Main Achievements:
Participation and Engagement: The event was highly successful with extensive networking and collaboration among 650 on-site and 650 online attendees, including policy contributors, researchers, and industry representatives.
Key Findings and Recommendations: The event produced significant insights and recommendations to enhance synergies between Horizon Europe and the Digital Europe Programme. Key takeaways included aligning funding strategies, ensuring sustainable funding mechanisms, and building trust and compliance frameworks for digital technologies.
Outcomes:
• Enhanced Synergies: Emphasized creating synergies between research and deployment activities with integrated strategies and removal of practical barriers.
• Policy Advancements: Developed policy recommendations to simplify cooperation, address legal and regulatory challenges, and foster competition.
• Improved Digital Infrastructure: Highlighted the need for sustained investment in High Performance Computing, AI, Cybersecurity, and Digital Skills.
• Increased Innovation: Showcased successful digital innovations, inspiring further cooperation and demonstrating the benefits of strategic alignment between European funding programmes.
Post-Event Activities:
Results and recommendations were presented to the programme committees of Cluster 4 (Horizon Europe) and the Digital Europe Programme. The final document was disseminated to attendees and through various channels to ensure wide visibility and impact.
The project began with preparatory activities to align partners on the event's scope and goals. The main challenge of organizing content and speakers for 12 breakout sessions was addressed by appointing "co-directors" from both the Belgian regional side and the European Commission. They set the session scopes, contacted speakers, and structured the discussions, successfully securing 90 speakers. Regular meetings with regional partners and the European Commission ensured smooth progress. Expanding the event from one to two days required additional partners like Ideal-ist for company visits, incurring extra costs that proved beneficial given positive feedback.
Event Breakdown:
The “Research to Reality – Digital Solutions for European Challenges” event, held on February 5-6, 2024, in Brussels, was organized by the Belgian Regions of Flanders, Wallonia, and Brussels, with DG CONNECT.
• Day 1:
Featured policy discussions and keynotes by Luc Van den hove (imec), Roberto Viola (DG CNECT), Ana Barjasic (Connectology, EIC Board), and Patricia Besson (Thales).
Included 12 breakout sessions on European digital leadership, technological autonomy, and funding, covering AR/VR/XR, AI, Semiconductors, and Digital Europe Programme achievements.
• Day 2:
Workshops on programme participation and visits to imec, Buildwise, and FARI showcased regional technological advancements. Ideal-ist facilitated networking activities and set up 6 workshops.
Event Outcomes:
The event had 650 on-site and 600 online attendees, receiving high ratings for livestream quality, content, interaction, and overall experience. Networking opportunities and company visits were especially well-received.
Main Achievements:
Participation and Engagement: The event was highly successful with extensive networking and collaboration among 650 on-site and 650 online attendees, including policy contributors, researchers, and industry representatives.
Key Findings and Recommendations: The event produced significant insights and recommendations to enhance synergies between Horizon Europe and the Digital Europe Programme. Key takeaways included aligning funding strategies, ensuring sustainable funding mechanisms, and building trust and compliance frameworks for digital technologies.
Outcomes:
• Enhanced Synergies: Emphasized creating synergies between research and deployment activities with integrated strategies and removal of practical barriers.
• Policy Advancements: Developed policy recommendations to simplify cooperation, address legal and regulatory challenges, and foster competition.
• Improved Digital Infrastructure: Highlighted the need for sustained investment in High Performance Computing, AI, Cybersecurity, and Digital Skills.
• Increased Innovation: Showcased successful digital innovations, inspiring further cooperation and demonstrating the benefits of strategic alignment between European funding programmes.
Post-Event Activities:
Results and recommendations were presented to the programme committees of Cluster 4 (Horizon Europe) and the Digital Europe Programme. The final document was disseminated to attendees and through various channels to ensure wide visibility and impact.
The “Research to Reality – Digital Solutions for European Challenges” event yielded significant results, advancing beyond the current state of the art in several key areas:
Enhanced Synergies: The event highlighted the need for better integration between Horizon Europe’s digital research initiatives and the Digital Europe Programme’s deployment mechanisms. This integration ensures innovative research outcomes transition into market-ready solutions, maximizing societal and economic impact.
Policy Recommendations: Discussions led to comprehensive policy recommendations aimed at simplifying cooperation between funding programmes, addressing legal and regulatory challenges, and fostering healthy competition. Implementing these recommendations will streamline digital innovation and deployment.
Showcasing Best Practices: The event showcased successful digital projects and initiatives, providing insights into best practices and effective strategies. These case studies serve as models for future projects, demonstrating the benefits of strategic alignment and collaboration.
Strengthened Networking: The event facilitated extensive networking among policy contributors, researchers, and industry representatives, laying the groundwork for future collaborations and partnerships crucial for Europe’s digital agenda.
Improved Digital Infrastructure: Discussions emphasized the need for sustained investment in digital infrastructures such as High Performance Computing, AI, Cybersecurity, and Digital Skills, vital for maintaining Europe’s competitive edge and ensuring successful technology deployment.
Enhanced Synergies: The event highlighted the need for better integration between Horizon Europe’s digital research initiatives and the Digital Europe Programme’s deployment mechanisms. This integration ensures innovative research outcomes transition into market-ready solutions, maximizing societal and economic impact.
Policy Recommendations: Discussions led to comprehensive policy recommendations aimed at simplifying cooperation between funding programmes, addressing legal and regulatory challenges, and fostering healthy competition. Implementing these recommendations will streamline digital innovation and deployment.
Showcasing Best Practices: The event showcased successful digital projects and initiatives, providing insights into best practices and effective strategies. These case studies serve as models for future projects, demonstrating the benefits of strategic alignment and collaboration.
Strengthened Networking: The event facilitated extensive networking among policy contributors, researchers, and industry representatives, laying the groundwork for future collaborations and partnerships crucial for Europe’s digital agenda.
Improved Digital Infrastructure: Discussions emphasized the need for sustained investment in digital infrastructures such as High Performance Computing, AI, Cybersecurity, and Digital Skills, vital for maintaining Europe’s competitive edge and ensuring successful technology deployment.