A year of connection, cooperation, and collective progress
In 2025, SPIDER moved decisively forward in its core mission: to support the implementation of the EU–LAC Digital Dialogues, transform high-level political commitments into concrete cooperation, and unlock the full potential of the BELLA connectivity infrastructure to benefit research, innovation, and society across Europe and Latin America.
Throughout the year, we focused on strengthening policy coordination, enabling human-centred and inclusive digital transformation, supporting early-stage innovation, and fostering stronger collaboration between EU and LAC digital ecosystems. By connecting policymakers, researchers, innovators, and institutions, SPIDER worked to ensure that digital cooperation is not only strategic but also practical, equitable, and impactful.
The following 25 achievements reflect how these objectives translated into real progress during 2025.
Laying the Foundations for Stronger Cooperation
1. Held the DIF annual event at TICAL 2025
A key moment to reinforce the Digital Dialogues Implementation Forum as a space for aligning priorities and exploring how EU–LAC cooperation can become more coordinated, evidence-based, and sustainable.
2. Held the 4th DIF Working Groups meeting
The meeting addressed Reimagining Public Services and AgriTech for the People, exploring citizen-centred digital services and the use of satellite data and AI in agriculture. Also, conversations evolved around multimodal AI in Spanish and Portuguese and on building culturally sensitive and inclusive AI across the EU and LAC contexts.
3. Held the 3rd DIF Working Groups meeting
Discussions focused on adapting AI governance principles to diverse regional contexts, strengthening digital sovereignty, advancing cloud adoption, and embedding gender equality and inclusion into digital strategies.
4. Finalised the mapping of digital dialogues and EU–LAC agreements
This mapping consolidated dispersed information into a shared reference point, strengthening coordination and strategic planning across both regions.
5. Launched SPIDERHUB, an AI-assisted tool
SPIDERHUB was launched as a strategic tool to make the mapping of digital dialogues and agreements more visible and actionable.
6. Identified the portfolio of services offered by selected innovation hubs
A practical resource that helps innovators, startups, and SMEs identify available support and connect with relevant ecosystems in the EU and LAC.
7. Developed our Policy Brief
Key insights from SPIDER’s work were translated into recommendations to support policymaking and implementation.
8. Managed the project efficiently and effectively
Consortium meetings and fluent communication strengthened internal coordination, reinforced shared priorities, and ensured alignment across partners.
9. Strengthened collaboration with RedCLARA to support the extension of BELLA to new countries across LAC
By deepening this collaboration, SPIDER contributed to the sustainability and expansion of BELLA as a backbone for research, education, and innovation connectivity.
Building Momentum for Innovation and Unlocking BELLA’s Potential
10. Launched and concluded our Call for Ideas to expand the use of the BELLA Network
The Call mobilised innovators from both regions to explore new applications of the BELLA network and digital technologies for digital transformation.
11. Delivered three webinars within the Call for Ideas framework
These sessions supported participants in refining ideas, strengthening digital maturity, and preparing for implementation.
12. Capacity-building webinars for selected Call for Ideas participants
Tailored capacity-building helped selected teams advance their business models and technical approaches.
13. Organized mini-symposium at the EMBC 2025 conference “Strengthening STEM Through Gender-Inclusive Digital Transformation“.
SPIDER strengthened engagement with the biomedical and health-tech community, reinforcing the role of women in digital health and research.
14. Participated in the webinar “SPIDER and RUTE-ALC: Strategic Alliances to Boost Digital Health in Latin America”
The webinar highlighted how early-stage digital health innovators can benefit from bi-regional collaboration and connectivity infrastructure.
15. Co-hosted the LATAM Market Landing Workshop
A hands-on session supporting EU startups in understanding the LATAM market dynamics, business culture, and IP considerations.
Expanding Community, Dialogue, and Visibility
16. Hosted the Community of Practice webinar “Human-Centered AI and Bi-Regional Collaboration”
A space to reflect on responsible, transparent, and inclusive AI development across both regions.
17. Hosted the Community of Practice webinar “Inclusion by Design: Gender and Equality in International R&I Collaboration”
This session reinforced the importance of embedding gender equality and inclusion into digital innovation and cooperation.
18. Hosted the Community of Practice webinar “Innovating for a Connected World”
An exploration of how digital connectivity enables new forms of collaboration and shared value creation.
19. Participated in the EU–LAC High-Level Policy Dialogue on AI and online platform governance in São Paulo
SPIDER contributed to strategic discussions on responsible AI governance and platform regulation.
20. Participated in the BID LAB Meeting in Santiago de Chile
An opportunity to engage with innovation ecosystems, development actors, and startups across the region.
21. Participated in the AECID forum on Open Science in Montevideo
SPIDER highlighted the role of open data, interoperable infrastructures, and collaboration in advancing inclusive science.
22. Presented SPIDER at the ENRICH GLOBAL Innovation Days 2025 in Nice
This presentation strengthened international visibility and connections with global innovation networks.
23. Participated in the #DigitalSummitLatam2025 in Madrid
A platform to amplify SPIDER’s role within regional digital transformation dialogues.
Recognition and Reach
24. Won a #CEDIAAWARDS2025 for advancing the EU–LAC Digital Partnership
A recognition of SPIDER’s growing contribution to strengthening bi-regional digital cooperation.
25. Expanded our online audience and strengthened project visibility
Through sustained communication and storytelling, SPIDER reached new audiences and reinforced its presence across digital channels.
From Implementation to Impact
Together, these 25 achievements show how SPIDER is delivering on its mission: supporting the implementation of EU–LAC digital dialogues, strengthening cooperation frameworks, enabling innovation, and unlocking the potential of BELLA for long-term societal and economic impact.
In 2025, we focused on strengthening the foundations — aligning policies, connecting ecosystems, empowering innovators, and fostering inclusive dialogue.
SPIDER will continue to deepen this work, ensuring that EU–LAC digital cooperation translates into lasting, people-centred, and sustainable outcomes.
From dialogue to implementation.
From connectivity to collaboration.
From commitment to impact.
