Customer: Association Circular Economy Region Melk-Scheibbs (KRMS)
CiMo Partner: 1000×1000 Crowdfunding GmbH (ISN GmbH / Crowd in Motion EDIH)
Challenge
Although market gardening offers great potential for regional food security, it remains largely unknown to the general public. The lack of target groups and practical examples hinders broader application. At the same time, digital innovation methods are rarely used by municipal stakeholders. The goal was to systematically engage new target groups and involve them in both digital and analog innovation processes.
Methods
The project combined digital and analog methods:
An online idea competition was conducted using the Crowd in Motion innovation platform, which enabled idea collection, moderation, and a transparent jury evaluation process. Partner schools, in particular Francisco Josephinum, actively participated. Students were responsible for social media campaigns, content creation and online moderation, receiving training in digital collaboration
A physical demonstration market garden was established at the Wieselburg fairground to serve as a tangible showcase. The innovation process was complemented by workshops, interactive activities and live events during two regional trade fairs, the Ab Hof and Wieselburger Messe. Participants of the online challenge were thus able to connect with the project on-site.
AI-based moderation tools supported the online idea refinement and feedback processes.
Result
Four winning ideas were selected, including concepts for school-based self-harvesting plots, market gardens for companies, and innovative use of unused urban spaces such as cemetery grounds. The initiative achieved high regional visibility through extensive media coverage in print, radio and television as well as a strong presence on social media and during the trade fairs.
Students successfully established and managed a new social media channel, building a notable follower base within a few weeks, which demonstrated the effectiveness of involving young multipliers.
A new regional network emerged, connecting municipalities, schools, businesses and the agricultural sector. The project enabled a significant methodological transfer of know-how that can be applied to future open innovation processes.
The pilot use of AI-supported moderation tools on the Crowd in Motion platform was successfully implemented and positively evaluated by participants.