Innovation and Collaboration: Keys to Success at Horizonte Rural 5.0

The Horizonte Rural 5.0 Congress, organised by DIGIS3 in collaboration with AIR Institute, was firmly established as a resounding success, bringing together leading experts, professionals, and representatives from public and private institutions in Castilla y León to discuss key initiatives aimed at promoting innovation, digitalisation, and development in rural areas.

Throughout the day, various projects incorporating advanced technologies such as IoT, robotics, and Artificial Intelligence in rural settings were presented. One of the presentations was by our colleague Sergio Alonso, who discussed the applications of IoT in rural telemedicine, highlighting the critical importance of adopting new technologies to improve healthcare, enhance business competitiveness, and drive economic and social development in rural areas.

In addition to the various projects, attendees had the opportunity to learn about different funding initiatives from José Francisco Diego, a representative of the Institute for Business Competitiveness of Castilla y León (ICECyL), who explained the available funding schemes and services in each area, focusing primarily on innovation and entrepreneurship.

During Horizonte Rural 5.0, the roundtable discussion titled "Public Sector, Innovation, and Knowledge Transfer in Rural Areas" took place, where several initiatives to drive innovation were presented, including the Acelera Pyme programme by the Provincial Council of Salamanca, which provides free digitalisation services and technological training for rural businesses until August 2025.

Additionally, the roundtable on "The Present and Future of Digitalisation in Rural Areas" was held. Speakers emphasised the need for a solid technological foundation in rural communities and the importance of collaboration between businesses and public administration for the effective development of digital initiatives.

Without a doubt, Horizonte Rural 5.0 has been an excellent opportunity to showcase the importance of technology in stimulating rural economies and encouraging businesses to create solutions and projects within these environments.