The COMUNIDAD Project is driven by a commitment to fostering impactful innovation by integrating technological solutions with local needs. Recent visits to pilot sites in Colombia and Chile, coupled with strategic engagements with key stakeholders, have provided invaluable insights that will shape the upcoming hackathons and, ultimately, the broader project strategy.

WHY PILOT SITE VISITS MATTER

The field visits to Colombia and Chile were not just about observing; they were about understanding firsthand the real-world challenges that the COMUNIDAD Project aims to address. By immersing ourselves in these environments, we were able to gather critical insights that will enhance the solutions that we are developing. Additionally, one particular concern was to ensure that the hackathons that are part of the project will ensure that they are not just theoretical exercises but practical, problem-solving platforms aligned with stakeholder needs.

These visits also provided a direct connection to the end-users—farmers, cooperatives, environmental agencies, government bodies, and research institutions—who will ultimately benefit from the solutions being developed. By engaging with these stakeholders, we were able to assess their pain points, technological needs, and expectations, which will now serve as a foundation for the hackathons and future exploitation strategies.

KEY INSIGHTS FROM COLOMBIA AND CHILE

The Role of Technology in Coffee Production and Risk Management (Colombia)

During our visit to Colombia’s coffee-growing regions, we observed first-hand the critical challenges faced by farmers, including landslides, climate-related threats, and precision agriculture needs. Our meetings with the National Federation of Coffee Growers (FNC), Cenicafé, and the Comité de Cafeteros de Caldas highlighted the potential impact of AI-driven predictive models and Copernicus-based remote sensing in enhancing productivity and resilience.

  • Land management & microtopography tools: Coffee growers emphasised the need for topographic analysis to optimise coffee planting densities, as traditional methods rely on historical patterns rather than data-driven approaches.
  • Risk monitoring & early warnings: Landslides remain a major concern, and an early warning system leveraging satellite data and AI was identified as a key priority. Farmers stressed the importance of integrating these tools with government decision-making.
  • Climate-linked disease prevention: Coffee diseases such as coffee berry borer and coffee rust are closely tied to hydrological balance and changing weather conditions. Models predicting optimal disease prevention strategies could revolutionise farm management.

Sustainable Land Use & Agricultural Planning in Patagonia (Chile)

In Chile’s Aysén region, where agriculture and environmental conservation intersect, stakeholders highlighted water management, sustainable livestock farming, and wildfire prevention as critical issues. Our meetings with the University of Aysén, IDE-Chile, the Ministry of Agriculture, and the Patagonian Ecosystem Research Center (CIEP) helped us define key areas for technological intervention:

  • Sustainable livestock management: Farmers face grazing inefficiencies, land degradation, and water quality concerns. Copernicus-based analysis could optimise pasture management and prevent overgrazing.
  • Forest fire prevention & risk assessment: Wildfire risk in Patagonia is exacerbated by climate change. Advanced GIS and AI-based early warning systems could improve insurance models and disaster preparedness.
  • Glacier safety & tourism management: The tourism industry in Aysén is growing rapidly, yet glacier retreat and environmental sustainability remain unaddressed challenges. Remote sensing solutions could guide land-use policies.

BRIDGING STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT WITH HACKATHON STRATEGY

The insights from these visits directly inform the hackathon design, ensuring that participants work on real-world challenges that matter to stakeholders. By doing so, we bridge the gap between technological capability and practical application.

  • Hackathons as co-creation hubs: Rather than just coding events, the hackathons will serve as innovation hubs where stakeholders, researchers, and developers collaborate to craft usable solutions.
  • Multidisciplinary approach: Solutions will be developed in collaboration with farmers, agronomists, policymakers, and tech experts, ensuring they are both technically viable and field adapted.
  • Sustainability & future exploitation: The solutions generated will not end with the hackathons but will be assessed for long-term implementation, potentially evolving into commercial services or open-data platforms for continued use beyond the project.

FINAL THOUGHTS: THE POWER OF FIELD INSIGHTS

These pilot site visits were not just essential for data collection; they were transformative in shaping the direction of the COMUNIDAD Project. By working closely with local communities, industry leaders, and policymakers, we ensure that innovation is rooted in reality, tailored to end-users, and aligned with sustainability goals.

The upcoming hackathons will be a catalyst for change, leveraging the knowledge gained in Colombia and Chile to develop scalable, impactful solutions. By aligning technological innovation with real-world agricultural, environmental, and economic needs, the COMUNIDAD Project is positioning itself as a driving force in sustainable development and digital transformation.

Stay tuned for insights from other consortium members, and follow us on social media, where we share regular updates on the COMUNIDAD project outcome!