The MaYA Foundation recently hosted its first webinar for the Agri-Tech Ideathon, setting the stage for an inspiring initiative that bridges creativity, technology, and agriculture. The Ideathon aims to bring together innovators, students, and professionals from different fields to co-create solutions addressing pressing challenges in agriculture.
During the webinar, participants were introduced to the goals of the Ideathon, the format of the competition, and the kinds of challenges it will address. These range from improving sustainability in farming and food systems, to tackling environmental pressures, and using digital innovation to support resilient rural communities. The MaYA Foundation highlighted its commitment to nurturing young talent and fostering collaboration across academia, business, civil society, and public institutions.
Connecting to PoliRuralPlus Pilot 9
This initiative resonates strongly with the work of PoliRuralPlus Pilot 9 in Malta, which focuses on tackling rural challenges in small island contexts. Pilot 9 is part of the broader PoliRuralPlus project, which is testing innovative foresight methods, digital tools, and participatory approaches across nine pilot regions in Europe.
In Malta, the pilot explores how digital innovation, sustainable agriculture, and participatory policymaking can strengthen rural-urban linkages, promote local food systems, and enhance resilience in the face of climate and socio-economic pressures. Just like the Ideathon, Pilot 9 leverages the multi-actor approach (MAA), bringing together stakeholders from government, farmers’ groups, technology providers, and local communities to co-design practical solutions.
Why This Matters
The MaYA Agri-Tech Ideathon and PoliRuralPlus Pilot 9 share a common vision: to empower communities with the tools, ideas, and partnerships needed for a more sustainable and attractive rural future.
- For young innovators, the Ideathon provides a platform to test and showcase ideas.
- For rural actors in Malta, Pilot 9 ensures these ideas are embedded in real policies and actions that shape the future of agriculture and rural development.
- For Europe, both initiatives contribute to broader goals such as the European Green Deal and the Long-Term Vision for Rural Areas.
By combining creativity with evidence-based planning, and linking grassroots initiatives to EU-level frameworks, projects like these demonstrate how rural regions can become hubs of innovation and opportunity.
Looking Ahead
The next steps in the Ideathon will bring participants closer to developing concrete solutions, supported by mentors and experts. In parallel, Pilot 9 and the other PoliRuralPlus regions will continue shaping their Regional Action Plans (RAPs), ensuring that innovation is not only encouraged but also translated into policy and practice.
Together, these efforts show that the future of agriculture in Malta - and across Europe - lies in collaboration, digital innovation, and the active involvement of people at every level.
👉 Stay tuned for updates on both the MaYA Agri-Tech Ideathon and PoliRuralPlus Pilot 9 as they continue to drive forward this shared vision for rural transformation.
Click here to view the webinar held on the 5th September
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