HOW A PLACE-BASED DIGITAL HUB IN MALTA CONNECTED GEOAI, COLLABORATIVE MAPPING, RURAL E-COMMERCE AND STAKEHOLDER LEARNING, AND WHAT THIS MEANS FOR FUTURE REPLICATION ACROSS EUROPE

After nine months of implementation, MALTESE concludes with a practical model for Malta that connects accessible digital tools, local agricultural data, skills development, entrepreneurship and stakeholder cooperation.

Implemented as a cascade project linked to the PoliRuralPlus Malta pilot, MALTESE brought together PAMEA as coordinator, SEMABLU as technical lead and SELFHOOD as capacity-building partner, with close collaboration from AcrossLimits, the PoliRuralPlus partner for Malta. The project addressed a clear challenge: useful digital solutions exist, yet many farmers, rural entrepreneurs and young people still face barriers in accessing, understanding and applying them.

MALTESE responded by combining technology with hands-on learning and local engagement. At the centre of the project is the MALTESE Agro-Innovation Digital Hub, which brings together the JackDaw GeoAI Chatbot, Map Whiteboard and the Rural-Urban E-Market in a single rural innovation approach.

Making digital tools practical for Malta

The JackDaw component was adapted to make access easier for non-technical users. A dedicated MALTESE web interface allows users to select an area on a map and ask location-based questions without dealing with the technical connection steps behind the service. Local Maltese data on soil types, soil moisture, protected areas and funding opportunities was integrated to make the information more relevant to rural users.

Map Whiteboard added a visual space for collaborative mapping and rural planning, while the Rural-Urban E-Market was localised for Malta to support more direct links between producers and potential customers. The prototype was further refined through MALTESE participation in the PoliRuralPlus JackDaw Code Camp in Athens, where PAMEA and SEMABLU worked with technical partners on data integration, GeoAI applications and usability.

Building skills and business ideas alongside technology

From 5 to 8 May 2026, MALTESE organised a four-day training programme at the National Viticulture & Oenology Centre in Malta. Participants worked directly with the project tools while exploring SMART irrigation, circular economy practices, collaborative planning, market access and business model development.

Training was followed by mentoring and business development activities that resulted in three selected business ideas: GrowBox, Just AgriConsultations Malta and MD Smart Eco-Pond Farm Model. These concepts reflected the participants’ engagement with rural innovation, circular economy thinking and practical solutions for Malta’s agricultural and entrepreneurial context. During the Final Dissemination Event, GrowBox and MD Smart Eco-Pond Farm Model were presented to the audience, while the third selected concept was not presented at the event.

This progression from training to concrete business concepts was an important result. MALTESE did not treat digitalisation as a software demonstration. Participants were encouraged to connect technology with farming practices, market needs and viable ideas that could respond to the Maltese context.

A final discussion focused on what Malta needs next

The MALTESE Final Dissemination Event, held on 25 June 2026 at the Malta Digital Innovation Authority in Birkirkara, brought together the project’s technical results, training experience and entrepreneurship activities. The programme included the MALTESE prototype, capacity-building outcomes, circular agri-business lessons, participant business ideas and a stakeholder round table on what the project leaves behind for rural Malta.

The discussion also exposed barriers that technology alone cannot solve. Participants referred to low interest among some farmers in adopting new approaches, linked to limited incentives, gaps in skills and knowledge, and uncertainty about the practical benefits of digital solutions. Another recurring point was the need to introduce knowledge about agriculture, sustainability, entrepreneurship and digital technologies much earlier, including through education from a young age.

What MALTESE leaves behind

MALTESE leaves Malta with more than a prototype. It has established a localised digital hub, practical experience in using GeoAI and geospatial data for rural needs, tested training and mentoring methods, three emerging business concepts and stronger links between technology, entrepreneurship and rural development.

The project also leaves a clear conclusion: rural digital innovation works when technology is accessible, connected to reliable local information and supported by people who have the skills and confidence to use it. Long-term progress will depend on continued maintenance, education, incentives, institutional support and cooperation with farmers and rural communities.

MALTESE therefore closes with a pathway rather than an endpoint. The tools and experience developed through the project provide a basis that Malta can continue to build on, while offering lessons that can also be adapted by other small-island and rural regions.

More information

MALTESE project website  |  Training in Malta  |  Athens JackDaw Code Camp

Funding acknowledgement

The project PoliRuralPlus has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under Grant Agreement No. 101136910.

Disclaimer

Views and opinions expressed are those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Research Executive Agency (REA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

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BIRKIRKARA, Malta – MALTESE consortium held its Final Dissemination Event on June 25, 2026, at the Malta Digital Innovation Authority – MDIA, bringing together project partners, participants and local stakeholders to present results and discuss the future of rural innovation in Malta.

Organised by PAMEA, SEMABLU and SELFHOOD, with support from AcrossLimits and collaboration with MDIA, the event focused on the main outcomes of the MALTESE project: digital tools, training and mentoring results, circular agri-business ideas, stakeholder engagement and rural-urban cooperation.

The event was opened by Dr. Eng. Daniel AMARIEI of PAMEA, MALTESE project coordinator, together with Thomas ABELA from MDIA. Maria Elena MUSCAT of AcrossLimits presented the wider PoliRuralPlus Malta pilot context and linked MALTESE to broader rural and digital innovation priorities. Then, Dr. AMARIEI presented the project’s main activities and results, showing how MALTESE combined digital innovation with capacity building, mentoring and practical support for farmers, young entrepreneurs and rural communities.

Gianluca VALENTINO of SEMABLU led the technical session, presenting a live demonstration of the MALTESE digital tools, including the JackDaw GeoAI Chatbot, Map Whiteboard, Rural-Urban E-Market and SMART irrigation-related outputs. The demonstration showed how local data, such as soil, moisture, protected-area and funding information, can support more accessible decision-making for rural users.

Dr. Krisztina TOTH of SELFHOOD presented the training and mentoring results from the Malta activities. The sessions included digital tool demonstrations, community mapping, circular economy exercises, business model development and pitching preparation.

The event also featured short presentations from the MALTESE pitching winners. MD ASANUL HOQUE RATUL presented the MD SMART ECO-POND FARM MODEL, while DORIAN BUGEJA presented GROW BOX. JUSTIN CAMILLERI, the third selected pitching winner, was unable to attend because of illness and sent his apologies. Certificates were handed over during the event.

The stakeholder round table, moderated by Dr. AMARIEI, focused on what MALTESE leaves behind for rural Malta. Participants highlighted that low interest among some farmers is linked to limited incentives, skills gaps and lack of confidence. They also stressed the need to introduce agriculture, sustainability, entrepreneurship and digital literacy from an early age.

The event concluded that MALTESE leaves behind a practical pathway for connecting local data, digital tools, training, mentoring and stakeholder dialogue. Future work should focus on local ownership, continued engagement, education, incentives and long-term use of the project results.

Keywords/tags: MALTESE, rural innovation, Malta, digital agriculture, PoliRuralPlus

Meta description: MALTESE final event in Malta presented digital tools, training results, participant pitches and next steps for rural innovation.

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MALTESE Consortium is pleased to invite stakeholders, farmers, rural entrepreneurs, youth representatives, public institutions, advisory actors, SMEs, NGOs, and all those interested in rural innovation to join the MALTESE FINAL DISSEMINATION EVENT, which will take place on 25 June 2026, from 09:30 to 13:00, in Malta.

The event will be hosted at: MDIA, Twenty20 Business Centre, Triq l-Intornjatur, Zone 3, Central Business District, Birkirkara, CBD 3050, Malta

The Final Dissemination Event will present the main results achieved by the MALTESE project, with a focus on digital innovation, youth leadership, circular agri-business development, smart irrigation, and stronger rural-urban connections in Malta.

Participants will have the opportunity to learn more about the digital tools developed and tested during the project, including the JackDaw GeoAI Chatbot, Map Whiteboard, E-Market platform, and SMART irrigation-related outputs. The programme will include a live demonstration by SEMABLU, presentations from the project partners, and a discussion on the future of rural innovation in Malta.

The event will also feature short presentations from the three MALTESE pitching winners.

A certificate handover moment will be organised during the event, followed by a stakeholder discussion moderated by Dr. Eng. Daniel AMARIEI, PAMEA.

The MALTESE project has worked to support Malta’s rural communities by strengthening digital skills, promoting circular economy practices, encouraging youth entrepreneurship, and creating practical links between rural producers, local stakeholders, and urban markets.

Participation in the event is free of charge, but registration is required.

Event details

Date: 25 June 2026

Time: 09:30–13:00

Venue: MDIA, Twenty20 Business Centre, Birkirkara, Malta

Registration: https://forms.gle/6nz1LGT4EbG74kQf6

We look forward to welcoming participants to the MALTESE Final Dissemination Event and sharing the project’s final results, lessons learned, and future opportunities for rural innovation in Malta.

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MALTESE project participated in the PoliRuralPlus JackDaw Code Camp, held in Athens, Greece, from 16 to 18 June 2026.

MALTESE was represented by Dr. Eng. Daniel AMARIEI from PAMEA and Jan FORMOSA from SEMABLU. Their participation offered the project team the opportunity to engage in a highly interactive working environment, exchange knowledge with technical partners and other participants, and contribute to discussions on the further development of digital tools and pilot-oriented solutions.

The Athens Code Camp focused on the PoliRuralPlus digital ecosystem, with particular attention to the JackDaw GeoLLM platform, data integration, RAG and GeoRAG workflows, and support for pilot applications. The event created a practical setting where participants could work together, explore technical options, and identify improvements for ongoing project developments.

For the MALTESE project, the event represented a valuable opportunity to present and further reflect on the developed prototype, while identifying possible improvements for its next stages of development. The collaborative format allowed the project representatives to gather input, discuss technical needs, and strengthen the alignment of the prototype with relevant digital innovation approaches.Participation in the Athens Code Camp marks an important step in MALTESE’s ongoing work to develop practical and user-oriented solutions. Further updates will follow with more detailed information on the project’s contribution, lessons learned, and the improvements identified during the event.

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MALTESE Training has successfully concluded after four days of practical learning, collaboration, and hands-on work on digital innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainable rural development.
During the final sessions, participants refined and presented their Business Model Canvas ideas, applying the tools and concepts explored throughout the training.
The three winning BMC topics were: GrowBox, Just AgriConsultations Malta and MD Smart Eco-Pond Farm Model, these ideas reflecting strong engagement with rural innovation, circular economy thinking, and practical solutions for Malta’s agricultural and entrepreneurial context.
A sincere thank you goes to all participants. Their presence, active involvement, and contributions made the training possible and meaningful. No matter how carefully an activity is prepared, its real value comes from the people who take part in it.
The training proved to be a valuable success, bringing together motivated participants, practical tools, and concrete ideas for future rural development.
During the wrap-up discussion and training evaluation, one clear conclusion emerged: activities of this kind should be repeated, especially in the field of agricultural digitalisation. Participants highlighted the importance of practical, hands-on learning opportunities that help farmers, young people, entrepreneurs, and local stakeholders better understand and use digital tools in real agricultural and rural contexts.

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The MALTESE Training successfully started yesterday, 05 May 2026, bringing together participants in Malta for a practical learning experience focused on digital innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainable rural development.

The first day was dedicated to the presentation of the MALTESE Prototype, introducing participants to the project’s integrated digital ecosystem and its role in supporting rural innovation through smart, accessible, and practical tools.

Participants explored the three main pillars of the MALTESE digital approach:

JackDaw GeoAI Chatbot, presented as a smart advisory tool supporting users with guidance, location-based information, and practical decision-making support.

Map Whiteboard, introduced as a collaborative mapping and planning tool designed to support visual thinking, local challenge identification, and community-based planning.

E-Market Platform, presented as a digital marketplace concept helping rural producers and entrepreneurs connect more directly with markets and consumers.

Each session included practical demonstrations and interactive use of the tools, allowing participants to better understand how the MALTESE Prototype can support real-life rural development, entrepreneurship, and circular economy initiatives.

The training continues over the following days with further hands-on sessions on community planning, circular economy practices, smart irrigation, business model development, and participant-led project ideas.

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The MALTESE project will organise its upcoming Training in Malta from 5 to 8 May 2026 in Sliema. The programme will focus on digital tools, entrepreneurship, community planning, circular agri-business, smart irrigation, and mentoring, while giving participants hands-on experience with JackDaw, Map Whiteboard, and the Rural-Urban E-Market.

Read more..

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Potential Synergies with Greenfit Project

Supporting greener farming in Malta through digital skills and practical training

Towards the end of February 2026, the PoliRuralPlus Malta Pilot 9 Team at AcrossLimitsparticipated in the GreenFit Project’s focus group at the Valletta Design Cluster in Malta, organised by Malta Youth in Agriculture (also a former implementer of a PoliRuralPlus cascade project – AgriTech Ideathon) and Merill Rural Network.

The event created an important space for dialogue around the realities facing Maltese farmers today, especially as they work to adapt to growing environmental, economic, and technological pressures. One of the clearest messages to emerge from the discussion was the need to make digitalisation more accessible and affordable for the farming community. Farmers highlighted that while digital tools can play a major role in supporting greener, more resilient, and more efficient agricultural practices, the cost and accessibility in adopting these technologies remain a major barrier. From precision farming solutions to data-driven planning tools, many innovations have the potential to improve sustainability and productivity, but they are often out of reach for small-scale producers unless the right support mechanisms are in place.

This is where PoliRuralPlus pilots can complement all these efforts.

Through the project’s Malta Pilot 9, AcrossLimits will organise a series of training sessions and events in Malta and Gozo between April and July, also in collaboration with the ongoing MALTESE Poliruralplus Cascade project financed through the Develop Call. These activities are designed to support farmers and other rural stakeholders in exploring practical pathways towards more digitisation within agriculture. The sessions will focus on three key areas:

• identifying funding opportunities that can help farmers invest in innovation,
• introducing digital tools that are relevant and usable in the local context,
• and promoting sustainable practices that strengthen resilience while responding to environmental challenges.

By combining knowledge-sharing, capacity-building, and stakeholder engagement, the Malta Pilot aims to ensure that innovation is not only discussed but translated into practical value for rural communities. The goal is to help farmers better understand the options available to them and build confidence in using tools and approaches that can support their long-term sustainability.

The Greenfit focus group also reinforced a wider message that is central to PoliRuralPlus: successful rural innovation depends not only on technology itself, but on the ecosystems that enable people to access, understand, and apply it. Training, collaboration, and targeted support are therefore essential if digitalisation is to deliver real benefits on the ground.

We are pleased to see these conversations taking shape in Malta and look forward to continuing the work with local actors over the coming months.

Stay tuned for more updates from the Malta Pilot and the wider PoliRuralPlus community.

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On 27 January 2026, the MALTESE partners completed the second day of the Kick-off Meeting in Vienna by turning plans into a concrete delivery roadmap. The consortium agreed the approach for incubation activities and stakeholder engagement, refined the MVP scope and first technical sprint for the Digital Hub, and aligned on KPI tracking and monitoring arrangements. The meeting concluded with an updated milestones calendar and confirmed next steps for the first implementation phase.

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Today, 26 January 2026, the MALTESE consortium met in Vienna for Day 1 of the project Kick-off Meeting. Partners aligned on the project’s objectives, governance and coordination routines, and reviewed the initial workplan across the work packages. The afternoon focused on the Digital Hub roadmap and the structure of the training and communication activities. The day closed with an agreed list of actions and responsibilities to launch the first implementation phase.

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