May 2026 – PAMEA

PAMEA CONTRIBUTES TO MALTESE TRAINING IN MALTA ON DIGITAL TOOLS, RURAL INNOVATION AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

From 5 to 8 May 2026, PAMEA contributed to the organisation and delivery of the MALTESE training programme in Malta, hosted at the National Viticulture & Oenology Centre in Ħad-Dingli.

The four-day training marked an important implementation step for MALTESE, moving the project from technical preparation into direct engagement with participants, practical demonstrations, and hands-on work around rural innovation.

The activity brought together participants interested in agriculture, rural entrepreneurship, digitalisation, sustainability, and local development. Through a mix of live demonstrations, workshops, group exercises and mentoring sessions, the training explored how digital tools can support rural communities and create stronger links between local producers, entrepreneurs and urban markets.

A central part of the programme was the presentation and testing of the MALTESE Digital Prototype. Participants were introduced to three core tools: the JackDaw GeoAI Chatbot, the Map Whiteboard, and the Rural-Urban E-Market platform.

The JackDaw GeoAI Chatbot was explored as a tool for advisory support, crop guidance, funding-related questions and location-based information. The Map Whiteboard supported collaborative mapping, visual planning and stakeholder engagement. The Rural-Urban E-Market platform introduced participants to producer profiles, product listing logic, market access and short supply chain opportunities.

Beyond the digital tool demonstrations, the training focused on practical rural development challenges. Participants worked on community mapping, identified local assets and bottlenecks, discussed circular economy practices, explored sustainable agri-business ideas, and reflected on how smarter resource use can support farming and rural entrepreneurship.

PAMEA led and supported key parts of the programme, including the prototype overview, circular agri-business logic, SMART irrigation and resource efficiency discussions, business model development, mentoring and final pitch preparation. These sessions helped participants move from general ideas to more structured concepts that could respond to real local needs.

The final day focused on coaching, business model refinement and presentation preparation. Participants developed and presented their ideas, received feedback, and took part in the closing session, which included certificates, participant recognition and final reflections.

The training confirmed one of the core ideas behind MALTESE: digital transformation in rural areas needs to be practical, accessible and connected to the people who are expected to use it. Tools alone are not enough. They need to be explained, tested, adapted and discussed with farmers, young people, entrepreneurs, educators and local stakeholders.

PAMEA thanks all participants for their active involvement, questions and contributions throughout the training. Their engagement helped turn the programme into a meaningful learning and testing environment for rural innovation in Malta.

PAMEA also acknowledges the strong collaboration with SEMABLU and SELFHOOD, as well as the valuable support of AcrossLimits, the PoliRuralPlus partner for Malta. This cooperation helped connect the MALTESE training with the wider PoliRuralPlus framework and with local priorities for digital and green transition.

Following the Malta training, MALTESE will continue working on prototype refinement, stakeholder engagement, dissemination and final demonstration activities. The results and feedback collected during the training will support the next steps of the project and contribute to broader lessons for rural and small-island regions across Europe.

MALTESE is implemented as a cascade project connected to the PoliRuralPlus Malta pilot. Through its activities, the project aims to support rural digital skills, entrepreneurship, circular economy thinking and stronger rural-urban connections in Malta.