igital skills development at the Junior Engineering Camps, the SHARPEI project kick-off, an AI lecture in Szombathely, and a handicraft workshop in Sárvár – despite the summer slowdown, it was a truly active season with several successful events taking place.

NOTRE - Artificial Intelligence from a Futurist’s Perspective

In mid-summer, the Health Development Office of Szombathely hosted an event: “A Future Worth Knowing – Artificial Intelligence Made Simple”. The event featured a presentation by Árpád Rab PhD, Senior Research Fellow at the National University of Public Service, digital culture expert, and futurist.

The aim of the event was to present the world of artificial intelligence (AI) in an accessible way, highlighting its opportunities and everyday applications. Participants gained insight into what we mean by artificial intelligence, how it appears in work and healthcare, and what advantages and risks its use entails. The speaker emphasized that AI is not only the technology of the future but is already part of our daily lives – think of smartphones, online services, or data processing systems. This perspective was closely aligned with the objectives of the NOTRE project, which aims to bring the achievements of the digital world closer to the ageing generation, making their everyday lives easier.

Special attention was given to the involvement of seniors. The lecture highlighted that the opportunities offered by AI are not age-dependent: with the right applications, it can also become a valuable tool for seniors, for example in preserving health or supporting everyday activities.

 

SHARPEI - Kick off in Bologna

The SHARPEI project officially kicked off on 8–9 July 2025 in Bologna, hosted by the Emilia-Romagna Region. Partners from eight European countries came together to explore how data and artificial intelligence can make Cohesion Policy and regional programmes more effective. The event featured inspiring presentations of regional best practices, hands-on demonstrations of cutting-edge digital tools, and interactive workshops to shape the project’s next steps.

  
 
eTOM - Maker programs at the Junior Engineering Camp

During the summer, Savaria Institute of Technology, Faculty of Informatics, ELTE organized two camps for primary school students interested in engineering and technical sciences. The aim was to introduce children to different challenges in a playful way, while encouraging teamwork and problem-solving. Each day brought a new task that allowed them to explore their creativity and strengthen their practical skills.

In 2025, Pannon Business Network joined the camp with several engaging programs. One of the highlights was alive demonstration of 3D printing: the participants designed their own keychains and could follow the entire process of how their creations were produced on-site with the 3D printer. Another activity took place in the manufacturing lab, where children faced a more complex challenge. Working in teams, they built small motor-powered cars using recycled materials. Beyond technical knowledge, the task required cooperation, communication, and critical thinking. The program concluded with an exciting “in-house race,” where the team that built the fastest car earned extra points in the week’s overall competition.

  

Initiatives like this aim to integrate essential competences – such as creativity, problem-solving, teamwork, and digital skills – into children’s education from an early age. Through the partnership of PBN and the eTOM AT-HU project, students gain hands-on, experience-based learning opportunities that prepare them for the challenges of the future.
 
DanubeCrafts - Stakeholder Workshop: Promoting Local Heritage and Handicrafts

A stakeholder meeting was organized as part of the DanubeCrafts project, which focuses on increasing the popularity of traditional crafts and local heritage in the Danube region.
The workshop took place in Sárvár on the 14th of August 2025, targeting stakeholders from the city and its surroundings, including local craftsmen, producers, and tourism organization representatives, to discuss ways of strengthening the visibility and sustainability of traditional handicraft and artisans in the region.

At the beginning of the event, a short presentation was held in order to make the participants familiar with the objectives and goals of the project, as well as the responsibilities of the Hungarian partners. It was followed by a long discussion about how the region and artisans can benefit from the project.

One of the key points was the integration of crafts into tourism. As a possible outcome, the establishment of a local store in Sárvár was proposed that would exclusively offer products from local craftsmen and producers, creating a permanent retail presence for local goods while offering tourists easy access to authentic, handmade items.

Overall, the workshop showed clear commitment among stakeholders to participate and contribute to the DanubeCrafts project. It was agreed that dialogue between the parties should be continued in the future in order to maximize the project’s positive impact in Hungary.