Island communities face specific challenges, ranging from limited transport opportunities and seasonality of the economy to the availability of public services such as health, education and transport. This is why digital solutions can play an important role in strengthening their resilience, self-sufficiency and quality of life.
In this context, from 19 to 21 May, Study Visit Cres will be held on Cres as part of the project DIGITAL ISLANDS, which brings together island regions from different parts of the European Union with the aim of sharing knowledge and developing concrete digital solutions for island communities.
The programme includes a series of presentations and examples of the application of digital solutions in crisis management, tourism, waste management, sustainable mobility and food waste reduction. Among the presented examples is Test Before Invest (TBI) study for demand-responsive transport (DRT) on the island of Cres, made through the EDIH Adria project.
It is a study that analysed the sustainability of the deployment of a pilot line of flexible public transport adapted to the real needs of the local community. The demand-responsive transport model is based on on-demand transport, i.e. the adaptation of lines and timetables to the needs of users, which is particularly relevant for island environments where the availability of transport has a direct impact on the quality of life, access to services and mobility of residents.
In addition to the EDIH Adria example, participants will have the opportunity to get to know other digital solutions and projects, including digital modelling in crisis management, systems for managing tourist arrivals, AI and IoT solutions for smart waste management, digital platforms for tourism services, and applications aimed at optimizing school kitchens and reducing food waste.
A special focus of the programme is on the exchange of experiences and the development of smaller pilot activities that could, through digital solutions, respond to the concrete challenges of island communities, such as the availability of health services and the organization of transport during the tourist season.
Through participation in such programs, EDIH Adria continues to promote an approach to digital transformation based on the real needs of users, testing solutions before investing and developing concrete applications of new technologies in local communities.
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