Unlocking the innovative potential of the Bulgarian agriculture and SMEs and PSOs in South Central Region of Bulgaria

ongoing

AgroDigiRise 2.0 charts the next phase of Bulgaria’s European Digital Innovation Hub for agriculture—transforming digital ambition into tangible, long-term impact. Building on an operational ecosystem of demo farms, testbeds, and validated tools, the project takes farmers, SMEs and PSOs on a structured journey: from first awareness to confident adoption of AI and advanced digital technologies. The path begins with targeted outreach and user-led Innovation Labs that demystify digitalisation, activate learning, and connect farmers with peers, researchers, and tech providers. At every step, AI is not presented as a distant goal, but as a practical, accessible instrument—integrated through help desks, chatbots, guided diagnostics, and funding tools. 288 Digital Maturity Assessments will ignite tailored engagement pathways. More than 230 organisations are expected to achieve tangible digital progress, with over 70 adopting new tools within a year of training. At least 36 will turn ideas into investable projects, supported by targeted access-to-finance services—unlocking over €2.8 million in funding and delivering a projected ROI of 1:8. Through real-world testing, AI compliance guidance, and trusted innovation matchmaking, the project will empower agri-SMEs to turn ambition into action. AgroDigiRise 2.0 will serve as a proactive entry point into Europe’s AI ecosystem—guiding users to AI Factories, TEFs, and other EDIHs, and feeding local insights into the continent-wide transition toward trustworthy, human-centric AI. Through human-centred design, smart service integration, and strategic use of AI, AgroDigiRise 2.0 will shift mindsets, unlock collaboration, and build digital confidence—positioning the Hub as a blueprint for sustainable, scalable transformation across Europe’s agri-food ecosystem.​