DIGI-Rangeland launches to boost knowledge sharing on digital innovation in rangeland livestock farming systems
DIGI-Rangeland project launches digital innovation and data technology network for rangeland livestock farming systems. Its main aim is to expand this network with different actors, such as farmers and other land users, who are facing challenges in rangeland territories at regional, national, and European levels. The project seeks to identify digital and technical innovations (DTIs) that address these challenges, assess their feasibility and impact, and support their adoption through practical demonstrations, targeted training, and knowledge-sharing activities. By combining a local approach with strategic communication and dissemination efforts, DIGI-Rangeland aims to accelerate the dissemination of knowledge and the adoption of digital solutions useful to livestock farmers and land users in diverse European rangeland contexts.
Funded under the Horizon Europe programme and the Swiss State Secretariat for Education, Research, and Innovation (SERI), and following a multi-actor approach, the project brings together a diverse consortium from France, Romania, Greece, Spain, Croatia, Slovenia, Bulgaria, Iceland, Norway, United Kingdom and Switzerland.
For its official kick-off meeting, over 40 participants gathered in Stirling (Scotland) from 25th to 28th February 2025. The four-day event featured collaborative sessions focused on refining project goals, alongside a visit to SRUC’s experimental hill farm to observe technologies in action, including precision livestock farming tools and remote sensors applications. A stakeholder workshop brought together local stakeholders using digital innovations in their activities to address the specific challenges in their rural areas. National facilitators for the DIGI-Rangeland project received targeted training to support the development of local innovation hubs and facilitate future meetings with these stakeholder groups.
Uniting rural innovation across Europe’s rangelands
To drive meaningful change in rangeland management across Europe, DIGI-Rangeland will engage partners from 10 countries in building a dynamic, EU-wide network of farmer groups, land users, innovation and Demonstration Hubs (ID-Hubs), and key stakeholders within 10 rural AKIS through a Network of National Facilitators (NFs) coordinated by IDELE.
- Institut de l’Élevage – IDELE
- Institut national d’enseignement supérieur pour l’agriculture, l’alimentation et l’environnement – AGRO
- Fundatia ADEPT Transilvania – ADEPT
- Democritus University of Thrace – DUTH
- Fundación Empresa Universidad Gallega – FEUGA
- Universidade de Santiago de Compostela – USC
- Mreza Savjetodavnih Sluzbi Jugoistočne Europe – SEASN
- Kmetijsko Gozdarska Zbornica Slovenije – CAFS
- Society for Territorial and Environmental Prosperity – STEP
- Landbúnaðarháskóli Íslands – LBHI
- Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research – NIBIO
- Scotland’s Rural College – SRUC
- Swiss Association for the Development of Agriculture and Rural Areas – AGRIDEA
The project seeks to identify digital and technical innovations (DTIs) that address these challenges, assess their feasibility and impact, and support their adoption through practical demonstrations, targeted training, and knowledge-sharing activities. By combining a local approach with strategic communication and dissemination efforts, DIGI-Rangeland aims to accelerate the dissemination of knowledge and the adoption of digital solutions useful to livestock farmers and land users in diverse European rangeland contexts.
Collaboration through shared networks
National Facilitators in each country will engage with farmers, land users, and key stakeholder groups by activating existing national and regional networks, such as EIP-AGRI Operational Groups. They will contribute to the coordination and implementation of both national and transnational workshops aimed at fostering knowledge exchange and cross-sector collaboration. To strengthen these efforts, several partners will establish connections with European Digital Innovation Hubs operating in their countries. These coordinated actions form part of DIGI-Rangeland’s wider strategy, supported by a total budget of 3 471 312,01 € (from EU & Switzerland), with activities running through to 31 January 2029.
Follow the project
To stay informed about the progress and news of the DIGI-Rangeland project, follow the site and social media networks of the project.
https://www.facebook.com/digirangeland/
https://www.youtube.com/@digirangeland
Subscribe to the project's newsletter here.
Contact
