The Sierra and Mancha Conquense region is a land rich in natural, cultural, and heritage value. Yet, despite all this wealth, it currently faces key challenges in attracting permanent residents and maintaining steady tourism throughout the year, while striving to balance progress and sustainability.
Can technology be the driving force that helps it move forward toward smart growth?

By blending the latest technological advances — such as artificial intelligence — with innate human qualities like creativity, we find the perfect fuel to unlock and energize those hidden gems brimming with the potential to thrive.

With the goal of fostering sustainable, balanced, and inclusive development in the Sierra and Mancha Conquense, and as part of the PoliRuralPlus project, Itecam (the Industrial Technology Centre of Castilla-La Mancha), in collaboration with Adesiman (Federation for the Development of the Sierra and Mancha Conquense), Tarancón City Council, CEOE CEPYME Cuenca, Dendron, Social Innolabs, and StartupCLM, is organizing the Ideathon AI4RURAL — a one-day collaborative event designed to empower rural areas in the province of Cuenca by harnessing the full potential of artificial intelligence and digital technologies. The aim is to help close the digital gap between rural and urban communities.

This event will take place on November 20th at Finca La Estacada in Tarancón (Cuenca). In this inspiring space that encourages creativity, idea generation, and collaboration, participants will have the opportunity to innovate within their areas of expertise to develop creative solutions capable of making a real impact on the Sierra and Mancha Conquense.

A Day of Innovation and Collaboration

The Ideathon AI4RURAL will unfold as an intensive day of activity, combining morning and afternoon sessions filled with expert talks on digital technologies, tech showrooms, innovation, creativity, and collaborative work. Together, participants will tackle the region’s key challenges through AI-based solutions designed to foster meaningful change.

The event aims to bring together 25 to 30 participants who will explore broader applications of AI across three core areas, which will serve as the main challenges of the ideathon: smart rural tourism; smart forest management and Digitalization of cultural heritage, taking the Segóbriga Archaeological Park as a successful reference case.

Who Can Participate

This ideathon is open to freelancers and employees, companies, start-ups, students, researchers, and members of organizations linked to rural, technological, and/or cultural development. Participants may join individually or in teams of up to two people. Registration is available through a dedicated form on the website: https://www.itecam.com/es/ideathonai4rural.

When registering, participants must select one of the three proposed challenges and submit an initial AI-based solution aligned with the chosen theme. This initial proposal will be scored and can be further developed during the ideathon day with guidance from mentors. Final proposals will be evaluated by an expert jury, which will award up to 100 points per participant according to the evaluation criteria outlined in the event’s official rules (link to bases).

Awards and Recognition

The winning individual or team of two will receive a €1,000 prize as recognition for their innovative solution. They will also gain technical support to continue developing their idea after the event, have the opportunity to implement it in real or pilot projects, and benefit from media and social visibility provided by the organizers.

Building Bridges Between Rural and Urban Worlds

Through the innovative ideas and solutions generated at Ideathon AI4RURAL, the initiative seeks to:

  • Strengthen community collaboration and links between rural and urban areas
  • Support economic development and innovation in rural territories
  • Attract visitors
  • Foster local entrepreneurship
  • Close the gap between rural and urban environments

This initiative is funded by the #PoliRuralPlus project, supported by the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under grant agreement no. 101136910.