INNOCAP project meeting held in Donegal

On Day 1, partners met at the Inishowen Innovation (theii), an innovation hub in Buncrana, Inishowen to review project’s progress and plan the next steps.

 Specific focus was given to the status of development of the four key pilot services:

• Digital Innovation Platform (Västernorrland, Sweden): A website designed to promote digital innovation.
• Waste Data Hub (South Iceland): Using IoT and data dashboards to improve waste management systems.
• Social Innovation for Decision-Making (South Savo, Finland): Tools that use maps and data to help with decisions around digital and green transitions.
• Climate Change Action Monitoring (Donegal, Ireland): IoT technology for flood prevention and monitoring the effects of climate change.

In the afternoon, Anne Marie McLaughlin, the innovation manager of the digital hub, gave partners a tour of theii, where they learned more about the history of the hub and support offered to local entrepreneurs.

Furthermore, partners tested the prototype of the Digital Innovation Platform service developed in the Municipality of Örnsköldsvik in Västernorrland.

On Day 2, the group attended the workshop "Smart Regions Through the Use of IoT Technologies,” at the Colab in Letterkenny organised by the European Digital Innovation Hub, Data2Sustain. The session explored how IoT technology, one of INNOCAP’s focus areas, can help improve infrastructure and public services in cities and rural areas.

Highlights from the workshop included:

• Mike Conroy introducing Data2Sustain and its goal of supporting sustainable development through digital innovation.
• Stephen Seawright from WiSAR showcasing the latest IoT advancements.
• Daragh McDonough INNOCAP project partner from Donegal County Council discussing how IoT is used to manage rivers, roads, and other public services.
• Sean Noone from Westire Technology explaining how IoT is improving street lighting.
• Ciarán Ó Bréartúin from mSemicon/Telemonitron showing how IoT can enhance public services for citizens.

The next INNOCAP project meeting will be held in Finland in April 2025.