SmartVitiNet

Smart and Sustainable Drone-Assisted Viticulture Excellence Network
FUNDED UNDER
ERDF I3 Instrument
DURATION
01/11/2022 – 30/11/2025
BUDGET
€ 1 983 443

Project overview

Funded under the ERDF I3 Instrument, SmartVitiNet supported the adoption of precision viticulture to help European wine growers respond to climate change and improve vineyard management. By combining drones, sensors, and data-driven decision-support technologies, the project promoted more targeted interventions, efficient resource use, and more sustainable viticulture, while strengthening the competitiveness of European wine producers with e-learning platforms, training, and a monitoring platform.

Future Needs' Role

Future Needs led the development of the successful SmartVitiNet proposal and joined the consortium as the Dissemination, Communication & Exploitation (DCE) leader. We also led stakeholder requirements analysis and Minimum Viable Product (MVP) definition, alongside market analysis, business and investment planning, and contributed to capacity-building activities.

01

Call Topics Identification

Identified the ERDF Interregional Innovation Investments (I3) Instrument, Strand 2A, as a funding opportunity to scale up and commercialise drone-assisted precision viticulture solutions at TRL 6–9.

02

Consortium Coordination

Brought together partners to connect regional innovation ecosystems, strengthen value chains in Less Developed Regions (LDRs) and support cross-border technology transfer.

03

Proposal Authorship

Led proposal writing, developing a clear narrative and structuring the application around the call’s evaluation criteria. 

04

Design

Developed the project’s visual identity, logo, website, branding guidelines, Office and deliverable templates, and dissemination materials, including brochures, posters and videos, ensuring consistent visibility and communication.

05

Communication

Managed the project’s website, social media, newsletters, press releases, videos and public campaigns to engage stakeholders and increase project visibility.

06

Dissemination

Coordinated and monitored dissemination activities across the consortium, and shared project research findings and results through targeted dissemination channels. 

07

Exploitation

Led exploitation planning in coordination with project partners, including market potential assessment, business modelling and intellectual property rights (IPR) management. Developed strategies to transform project results into commercially viable products and services.

08

Capacity building

Developed a training course on Financing Opportunities to help stakeholders identify funding and investment opportunities for agricultural innovation and led on-site piloting activities in Cyprus.

Key Results and Outputs

Successful I3 Proposal Development

Future Needs led the development of the successful SmartVitiNet proposal under the I3 Instrument, Strand 2A – GREEN, coordinating a cross-border consortium to advance drone-assisted precision viticulture solutions.

  • 23,5/25  evaluation score achieved
  • € 1 983 443  million project budget secured
  • 11 partner organisations

Final Event Organisation

Future Needs organised SmartVitiNet’s final piloting event in Cyprus, managing everything from event concept development and agenda planning to branding, communication and logistics.

  • 15+ local viticulture professionals attracted through targeted outreach
  • 3 Future Needs team members on-site to coordinate the event.
  • New collaboration beyond the consortium established through networking, leading to the development of another EU-funded project, extending the impact beyond SmartVitiNet.

Agricultural Professionals Upskilling

Future Needs contributed to strengthening agricultural professionals’ skills for the green and digital transition through practical training, online learning and research on future competence needs.

  • Designed and facilitated an on-site co-creation workshop in Cyprus, introducing EU funding opportunities, how to identify relevant calls and the steps involved in applying for funding.
  • Developed an online training course, Funding Opportunities, available through the SmartVitiNet Competence Centre, helping agricultural professionals explore financing options for innovation in precision agriculture.
  • Future Needs researchers examined skills gaps in drone-enabled smart farming and presented their findings in the paper Bridging Skills for Drone-enabled Smart Farming: Competence Needs for a Climate-resilient Future at Climate Change Week 2025 in Milan.
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