Partnerships

AI, Data & Robots (ADRA)

AI, Data & Robots (ADRA)

Partnership website: https://adr-association.eu/

The AI, Data and Robotics (ADR) Partnership is a European initiative that brings together industry, academia, and the European Commission to develop innovative technologies at scale. By pooling resources, expertise, and investments, the partnership aims to generate long-term impact, strengthen European competitiveness, and support job creation and economic growth.

Objectives of the ADR Partnership

The partnership is structured around three main goals:

  • Technological Sovereignty: Strengthen Europe’s control over key technologies and expertise in AI, data, and robotics.
  • Innovation Leadership: Position Europe as a leader in developing technologies with high environmental, social, and economic relevance.
  • Market Competitiveness: Enhance Europe’s global standing in AI, data, and robotics markets.

Why Connect to ADR?

For researchers and entrepreneurs in Flanders, joining the ADR ecosystem offers several advantages:

  • Access to European networks and collaboration opportunities with leading institutions and companies.
  • Participation in Horizon Europe projects, with funding and support for research and innovation.
  • Insight into strategic priorities, helping align local efforts with European goals.
  • Contribution to responsible technology development, guided by European values and principles.

The ADR Partnership promotes trustworthy and value-driven innovation, grounded in fundamental rights and ethical standards. It supports Europe’s ambition to lead globally in the development and deployment of AI, data, and robotics technologies.

What are partnerships?

Partnerships group the EC and private and/or public partners, to coordinate and streamline the research & innovation initiatives and funding in some selected key domains.

How to use partnerships?

  • orientation
    Partnerships publish strategic documents, e.g. outlining the main research and innovation challenges or key focus points.
  • networking
    Partnerships often organise events, such as info days, brokerage events, etc. Meet potential partners and learn about the nuances that are not visible in the official documents.
  • ecosystem analysis
    Partnerships typically have an advisory board, and publish impact studies of previous actions. These are good sources of information to uncover the main R&D&I players in the domain.
  • steering the agenda
    Partnerships collaborate with the EC on outlining the strategy and the future funding opportunities in their domain, based on input from industry, academia, and other stakeholders.
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Nico Deblauwe

nico.deblauwe@vlaio.be

Testimonial

RUSTICA - Converting organic residues into bio-based fertiliser products

The RUSTICA project obtained funding under Horizon 2020, more in particular under the topic ‘Closing nutrient cycles’.  RUSTICA focuses on demonstration and implementation of circular bio-based nutrient valorisation chains, focusing on waste from the fruit and vegetable agro-food system. The project kicked off in 2021 and will run until 2024. It will use a strong multi-actor approach to co-create both socio-economic and technological knowledge in four case study regions in Europe and one in Colombia. The Flanders-based company DRANCO is one of the project partners and acts as technical project manager for the entire project. DRANCO participates in the project to develop its own technologies, to network and to help make the transition to a more circular based economy.