Partners from across the Northern Periphery and Arctic (NPA) region gathered in Donegal (Ireland) for the INNOCAP Final Conference, marking the conclusion of the three-year project that has strengthened public sector capacity in the use of disruptive technologies.
The two-day event, hosted by Donegal County Council, highlighted how digital innovation and transnational collaboration are reshaping public service delivery across Ireland, Iceland, Sweden and Finland.
Day 1: Pilot Visit – IoT for Rural Water and Environmental Management
On the first day, project partners visited the Glenties area, where Donegal County Council has implemented their pilot service as a result of the work in INNOCAP. This pilot uses Internet of Things (IoT) technology with sensors monitoring water levels in a river catchment. These sensors provide real-time data on river levels, enabling the team to understand how the river reacts to different weather events. This information will support the testing of nature-based solutions and help assess whether such interventions can improve the river’s response during heavy rainfall and flooding.
This hands-on demonstration offered project partners valuable insights into how IoT can support data-driven decision-making in rural areas — improving efficiency, sustainability, and resilience across multiple public services.
INNOCAP Final Conference – “Building Capacity in Disruptive Technology in the Public Sector”
Day 2 began with an opening address from Siobhán Foy, Head of Information Systems at Donegal County Council, who welcomed partners and guests to the INNOCAP Final Conference: “Building Capacity in Disruptive Technology in the Public Sector.”
The event brought together speakers and delegates from INNOCAP partners ERNACT, University of Galway (Ireland), University of Helsinki – Ruralia Institute (Finland), SASS (Iceland), and Örnsköldsvik Municipality (Sweden) and Irish organisations including public authorities from Offaly, Laois Westmeath, Longford and Meath County Councils and Atlantic Technological University (ATU) to showcase how AI, data analytics, IoT and GIS technologies are transforming local government operations.
Presentations explored a wide range of innovative initiatives, including AI-supported innovation platforms, data-driven waste management, digital tools for planning and water management, and STEM education for future innovators. The day concluded with presentations on the training available for public sector organisations on AI technologies through the Data2Sustain EDIH and the Geo4Water – Data Spaces initiative and opportunities for future collaboration beyond INNOCAP.
Lasting Impact
INNOCAP project has enhanced transnational cooperation and equipped local and regional authorities with new digital skills, pilot solutions and practical insights into how technology can drive more efficient, sustainable and citizen-centred services.
“INNOCAP has enabled us to explore and better understand the transformative potential of technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Extended Reality (XR), and the Internet of Things (IoT) in enhancing the quality of public service delivery. Through real-world implementations involving our public sector organisations, we have gained invaluable insights into how these technologies can be applied effectively. The project has also created a strong interest in scaling up these innovative solutions across the participating territories”, commented Jose Manuel San Emeterio, ERNACT’s project coordinator.