Digitalization for Climate Protection: EDIH Project Among Europe’s Top Innovation Projects
A digital innovation project from the EDIH Crowd in Motion – AI won second place in the 2026 EDIH Network Award for Excellence. The interactive bog model clearly illustrates how bogs can store water, sequester CO₂, and be restored to their natural state.
The digital innovation project “Advancing Peatland Restoration through Digital Modelling” came second in the 2026 EDIH Network Award for Excellence. The award was presented at the EDIH Summit in Brussels on 9 and 10 June 2026. A total of 69 success stories from European Digital Innovation Hubs in 12 countries were submitted. The European Commission shortlisted three projects.
The innovation project involved developing an interactive bog model that clearly illustrates the importance of bogs for the climate, the water cycle and biodiversity. The model also vividly demonstrates the concept of restoration. This award-winning project was implemented through the EDIH Crowd in Motion – AI. Salzburg Research leads the EDIH, contributing scientific expertise in digital transformation, data-driven innovation and AI-supported application to the hub.
Digital model brings bog restoration to life
The centerpiece is an interactive bog model, which was developed as part of the EDIH for environmental education purposes. It demonstrates the importance of bogs for the climate, the water cycle, and biodiversity. The model shows how bogs store water, sequester CO₂, and provide a habitat for various flora and fauna. It also highlights the consequences of drainage and how restoration measures can help to revive these vital ecosystems.
This model has been designed for use in schools, museums, nature parks, environmental organizations, and public institutions. It helps educators to convey complex ecological relationships in a simple and clear way. Users can experience various scenarios by combining a physical model with digital elements, which helps them to better understand the effects of human intervention on peatland ecosystems.
The project was carried out in collaboration with SonntagPlus and its partner, FabLab Tirol. As part of the EDIH Crowd in Motion – AI, the initial idea was gradually developed into a practical model to enrich environmental education and promote knowledge transfer in wetland restoration.
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Details on the Award-Winning EDIH project: Advancing peatland restoration through digital modelling
Award at the EDIH Summit in Brussels
The award was presented at the EDIH Summit 2026 in Brussels on 9-10 June. With the theme of “Strengthening the AI Innovation Ecosystem,” the event brought together the European network of Digital Innovation Hubs, EU institutions, member states, AI infrastructures, and innovation stakeholders. The focus was on improving access to trustworthy AI experts, testing opportunities, and digital innovation support for companies and public organizations in Europe.
Photos: European Digital Innovation Hubs Summit 2026
The finalists for the 2026 EDIH Network Award for Excellence were announced and honoured at the summit. The award recognises successful digital innovation projects from the European EDIH network, showcasing how digital technologies can address specific challenges in business, society and the environment.
More information:
- Meet the finalists: EDIH Network Award for Excellence 2026 (european-digital-innovation-hubs.ec.europa.eu)
- Details on the award-winning EDIH project: Advancing peatland restoration through digital modelling (european-digital-innovation-hubs.ec.europa.eu)
EDIH Crowd in Motion – AI: Your Partner for Digital Transformation
The European Digital Innovation Hub “Crowd in Motion – AI” supports companies and public organizations focused on tourism, sports, leisure, mobility, and well-being in their digital transformation. Key areas of focus include artificial intelligence, data-driven innovation, digital prototyping, open innovation, training, and access to European innovation networks. Salzburg Research supports these activities as a research partner, focusing on application-oriented digitalization and AI.
EDIH Crowd in Motion—AI’s “Test before Invest” services allow companies to trial new digital technologies and solutions prior to making significant investments. The services offered include a customized needs assessment, access to testing environments, and technical expertise and support in developing initial prototypes.
“Crowd in Motion – AI” is part of the EU’s Digital Europe program and is co-funded by the European Commission and the Federal Ministry of Economy, Energy, and Tourism (BMWET).
Further information: https://www.crowd-in-motion.eu
Press release regarding the award: Interaktives Moormodell aus Österreich im Finale des EDIH Network Award for Excellence 2026
Featured image: The winners of the “EDIH Network Award for Excellence 2026”: From left to right: Lucilla Sioli, Director of the EU AI Office, DG CNECT, European Commission; Olga Shapoval, Eastern Ukraine EDIH (3rd place); Maria Beck and Kamar Aden Omar, Digital Hub Logistics Dortmund (1st plac); and Olivia Zechner and Reinhard Willfort, EDIH Crowd in Motion AI (2nd place).
