Within the DEMO.net project, the capacity building of the Producer Organisations (POs) plays a central role, enabling skills to be strengthened and the internal processes of each organisation to be optimised. To identify their needs, the partner POs were consulted. This process made it possible to identify the main challenges faced by the organisations and the main themes for capacity training actions.

On 23 and 24 of January 2025, the project’s first training action took place at the ISEG Executive Education in Lisbon, with the theme ‘Information Management and Analysis’. The event brought together managers and technicians from all the organisations involved in the project, as well as members of the coordinating core.

Over the course of these two days, participants had the opportunity to deepen their knowledge of essential tools and methodologies for more efficient information management, with the aim of extracting more knowledge from the data gathered in organisations and thereby improving strategic decision-making and operational efficiency.

On the first day, the session centred on the importance of information systems in business transformation, addressing their impact on strategic decision-making, the creation of new business models, customer proximity and operational excellence. Emerging trends such as Blockchain were also presented, as well as the main cybersecurity challenges, including the most common types of attack and some strategies for protecting organisations’ information. The day ended with a review of the main advanced features of Microsoft Excel, reinforcing its application in analysing and managing data.

On the second day, the session focused on data modelling and database construction, with a focus on Microsoft Power BI. In the afternoon, participants learnt more about the world of Artificial Intelligence, exploring Natural Language Processing (NLP) tools and Large Language Models (LLMs), including the associated ethical challenges. The day ended with the presentation of practical cases of the application of Artificial Intelligence, showing how they can help create new business models, boost day-to-day management and develop innovative communication strategies.

Efficient information management is a determining factor for the success of all organisations, such as Producer Organisations, enabling them to improve the efficiency of their processes and respond more effectively to the challenges facing the sector. The DEMO.net project will continue to promote the training of POs and the exchange of knowledge between peers, opening horizons for new organisational models in Portugal, supported by resources with innovative skills.

The DEMO.net project, funded by the Portuguese Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR), began in April 2023 with the aim of boosting innovation and competitiveness in the fruit and vegetable sectors. The project’s consortium is made up of 14 partners, including COTHN, CONSULAI, FNOP and INIAV at the coordination core, and 10 SMEs representing most of the Portuguese’s regions and the main fruit and vegetable sectors.

Find out more about the project and follow all the results at:
https://akisportugal.pt/grupos/demo-net-rede-de-partilha-demonstracao-e-inovacao/activity/