As 2024 draws to a close, we reflect on an incredible year of progress and achievements for the GREATER Project, a trans-formative initiative co-funded by the European Union under the ERASMUS+ framework. This year was filled with impactful activities, successful collaborations, and advancements toward our goal of fostering innovation and sustainable development. Here’s a recap of the key highlights from 2024:
The GREATER Project is co-funded by the European Union under the ERASMUS+ framework.
1. General Assemblies and Workshops
The GREATER Project saw two major General Assemblies and workshops this year:- Spring Mobility in Germany: The first Rwanda-to-Europe mobility occurred in April, with consortium members traveling to Germany. This mobility included the 3rd General Assembly and two weeks of workshops hosted by partner universities Hochschule Bonn-Rhein-Sieg (H-BRS) and Hochschule Niederrhein (HN). These events provided invaluable opportunities for capacity building, collaboration, and the exchange of best practices.
- General Assembly at RP Tumba College: In September, RP Tumba College hosted the General Assembly and Transfer Workshops, bringing together consortium partners to strategize, share knowledge, and plan for the project’s next steps.
2. Summer School Training
The highlight of our educational initiatives was the two-weeks Summer School in September. Hosted by RP Tumba College, participants from partner institutions gained hands-on experience and theoretical knowledge in innovative methodologies and technologies, featuring two major topics over one week each:- Week 1: Focused on implementing a remotely monitored Living Lab using IoT technologies. This session was led by Mirco Mongilli, providing participants with the knowledge and tools to set up and manage IoT-enabled systems.
- Week 2: Centered on renewable energy, specifically building photovoltaic (PV) solar panels from scratch using PV cells. This hands-on training was delivered by Dr. Davide and Dr. Edmondo, experts from consortium partner IMEM-CNR. Participants gained practical insights into constructing and utilizing sustainable energy solutions.
3. Living Lab Developments
December marked significant progress in the Living Lab initiatives:- RP Tumba College: In the second week of December, the team visited the location designated to house the Living Lab at Muyanza Village and built a demo Living Lab on campus, which is now 80% complete. The official Living Lab at Muyanza Village is expected to be operational by the end of January 2025.
- UR Bugesera: The University of Rwanda continues to work on establishing the Living Lab in Bugesera. This solar-powered smart irrigation system aims to address water scarcity challenges and support avocado plantations for Farming Green. While construction is ongoing, it is expected to be completed as soon as possible in 2025, enabling it to provide real-life data for research and support IoT-enabled curriculum-based training.
- INES Ruhengeri: The institution successfully launched a Living Lab in Busengo Parish, which is already functioning at 80% capacity, serving the local community and promoting sustainable practices.
4. Steering Committee Meetings
Throughout the year, partners convened Steering Committee meetings at least every two months, led by the Central Coordinator, Prof. Paolo Ciampolini. These meetings ensured smooth coordination, monitored progress, and guided decision-making for the project’s successful implementation.5. Impact and Dissemination Efforts
- The project’s website, greaterproject.eu, was officially launched as a hub for updates and resources.
- RP spearheaded efforts in social media management, event preparations, and dissemination activities, ensuring the project reached a wider audience.
- Significant progress was made in the development of the File Management System (FMS) to streamline document sharing among partners. Currently at an advanced stage, the system is expected to be completed soon.
Looking Ahead
As we step into 2025, we are excited to build on this year’s successes. Plans include finalizing the Living Lab projects at Muyanza, Bugesera, UTAB and Busengo, enhancing the File Management System, and organizing more capacity-building programs. Stay connected with us through our website and social media channels for updates as we embark on another productive year. Thank you to all our partners, participants, and stakeholders for making 2024 a remarkable year for the GREATER Project!The GREATER Project is co-funded by the European Union under the ERASMUS+ framework.