Open Call Webinar: Bridging Innovation in Agriculture – Highlights from the Farmtopia & Open Agri Joint Event
On November 13th, more than 60 attendees across Europe joined an Open Call webinar co-hosted by the Farmtopia and Open Agri projects. This webinar on “How to Write a Successful Proposal” was designed to inform and inspire participants about Open Calls overall and walk through key aspects of crafting compelling application proposals, including application structure, formatting guidelines, and insider tips to stand out.
Setting the Webinar Stage
The webinar began with a warm welcome from Aleksandra Anđelković from Foodscale Hub, who set the tone by outlining the goals of the session.
The first segment featured project overviews from OpenAgri (co)coordinator Nikolaos Marianos from Green Supply Chain – Digital Innovation Hub and Farmtopias coordinator Dionysios Solomos from NEUROPUBLIC. Each presenter highlighted their project’s vision for addressing pressing challenges in agriculture. From leveraging digital solutions to improve farming efficiency to tackling environmental concerns, the discussions provided a comprehensive view of how these initiatives aim to reshape agricultural practices.
Emphasis on the role of technology and cross-border collaboration was higlighted. Both projects underscored the importance of involving diverse stakeholders – farmers, researchers, and tech innovators – to co-create practical solutions tailored to real-world agricultural needs.
Open Calls Overall
For attendees keen on participating in the upcoming Open Calls, the session led by Maja Radišić and Dušan Pevac from Foodscale Hub was particularly valuable, giving insights into Open Call overall, but more. They provided a detailed breakdown of the application timelines, eligibility criteria, and budget allocations. These presentations made it clear that inclusivity and accessibility are top priorities for both initiatives, ensuring that a broad spectrum of participants can engage in transformative agricultural projects.
The practical, no-nonsense delivery was praised by attendees, many of whom noted that the information presented clarified common concerns about applying for EU-funded initiatives.
Crafting Winning Proposals
The webinar featured an insightful session on proposal writing, led by experts Dušan Pevac for Farmtopia and Maja Radišić for OpenAgri. They provided participants with a comprehensive guide to creating compelling and successful applications. Their presentation covered essential aspects of the process, including a detailed explanation of the timeline for submission, the key open call documents, and the functionality of the submission tool. They broke down the application structure step-by-step, diving into the critical chapters of the proposal and their specific requirements. Additionally, they clarified eligibility criteria, offering tips to ensure compliance, and outlined the submission roadmap to help applicants stay on track. This part concluded with an overview of the evaluation process, shedding light on how external evaluators assess proposals, and providing attendees with actionable insights to increase their chances of success.
Dynamic Q&A Session at the Open Call Webinar
The concluding Q&A session, moderated by Ena Stefanović, was a testament to the webinar’s interactive format. Over 30 questions were posted by an engaged audience, reflecting the high level of interest in the topics discussed.
Attendees had the rare opportunity to hear answers directly from the project experts, providing clarity on nuanced aspects of the Open Calls.
Takeaways from the Webinar
The joint Open Call webinar showcased the collaboration side of both Farmtopia and Open Agri, and their action toward successful Open Cal process!
This Webinar has set the stage for meaningful participation, empowering stakeholders with knowledge and inspiration. For those who missed the live session, the webinar recording is now available on the projects’ YouTube channels, extending its reach to a wider audience eager to learn and contribute.
To watch the Open Call webinar video and stay updated, visit our YouTube channel, and don’t forget to subscribe for more insights and updates!
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