Open Call – IDEAS

Access to “smart agriculture” through the “IDEAS” project

The goal is to identify, support, and launch new businesses in the agri-food sector that have innovation potential.

Twenty farmers (current and prospective) will gain knowledge in smart agriculture, enabling them to implement their business ideas.

Specifically, through the IDEAS project, “Innovation, Development and Employment in the Agricultural Sector,” interested participants—with a special focus on young people—will be enabled to establish their own sustainable agri-food businesses, use new and innovative technologies, and produce high-quality, safe food at lower cost and with greater productivity.

The “IDEAS” project is part of the Interreg IPA Cross-Border Cooperation Programme Greece – North Macedonia 2014–2020 and is funded by the European Union and the national funds of the participating countries. It is implemented by the Foundation for Local Development and Information Technologies – Gevgelija, in partnership with the American Farm School – Perrotis College of Thessaloniki, Greece, and the Rural Development Network of North Macedonia in Skopje.

To participate in the project, interested applicants may submit their applications online by 18 June 2023 by completing the participation form available here.

Support will also include training, which will begin after the application period ends; further information will follow.

Development of the sector in the above areas will positively affect the local economy by increasing employment and creating new agri-food businesses by young people who wish to enter this sector.

Smart agriculture is a management concept focused on using advanced technology in agricultural production, which includes big data and information technology to monitor, automate, and analyze operations.