SPARKS (Supporting Platforms to Accelerate Rural sKills and CapabilitieS)

Strengthening the socio-economic fabric of rural areas is central for dynamizing it and a major CAP objective. Plus, Digital Transformation is a major enabler of innovation. For this, a “run pioneer” needed is to develop Supporting Platforms to Accelerate Rural sKills and CapabilitieS
(SPARKS). In this, user centric transformation models involving local ecosystem are key to better understand strengths and needs. Advanced trustworthy AI technologies and knowledge processing will be needed to demystify opportunities and put forth data centric economy approaches.
Through possible exchange of knowledge and data, large-scale communities can be built of digitally transformed rural areas.
To reach set goals, SPARKS will adopt a user-centric approach to integrate the specificities of rural areas. A diversified Rural Stakeholder Board engaging with non-project rural municipalities and development associations will be established.
SPARKS will develop cost-efficient and flexible cross-domain applications in six countries (of 3 rurality levels) through four large-scale pilots focusing on circular economy and logistics, inclusive electro-mobility, sustainable agro-tourism and social sharing economy. All will be built on an open, API-based, interoperable and federated IoT architecture with a reference implementation supporting integration of heterogeneous services.
It will bridge the gap of smart object platforms and create a vibrant eco-system of developers, service providers, employers, organisations, associations and user communities. SPARKS will develop additional technological enablers on top of the interoperability framework: knowledge processing, blockchain, an application marketplace and data marketplace. Each pilot will be assessed with OECD criteria, technical and business KPIs.