5GINED

5G Naples & Matera for Inclusive and Innovative Education (5GINED) is a European project aimed at promoting inclusion and training for citizens in disadvantaged areas of Naples and Matera through the use of 5G connectivity and emerging technologies.

The initiative, funded by the European Commission under the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) program through the call “5G and Edge Cloud for Smart Communities”, involves twelve partners, including the Municipality of Naples and the Municipality of Matera, and is coordinated by the Meditech 4.0 Competence Center. The consortium includes CeSMA - Center for Advanced Metrological and Technological Services, Vodafone Italia, Vodafone Foundation, Foqus - Fondazione Quartieri Spagnoli, Fabbrica Italiana dell’Innovazione, the Institute for Educational Technology (ITD) of the National Research Council (CNR), Hypex, Fifth Ingenium, and CeRICT – Regional Center for Information and Communication Technology.

5GINED leverages a 5G Hybrid Mobile Private Network (MPN) implemented by Vodafone Italia to foster inclusion in socio-economically and geographically complex areas. The project exploits the key features of 5G technology, such as high network capacity, ultra-low latency for real-time collaboration, and advanced cybersecurity, to provide hybrid educational solutions aimed at overcoming students’ learning challenges and reducing social and geographical barriers.

Project Objectives

The key concept is inclusion: hybrid solutions in the educational and social sectors will facilitate learning in both Naples - where social and economic issues are addressed - and Matera, where the focus is on overcoming logistical and geographical difficulties.

To tackle these challenges, the project proposes a digital platform that provides innovative and immersive solutions connected to high-quality educational content and resources. The objective is to make learning more accessible and to promote the social development of these cities.

These solutions are designed to ensure that students, NEETs (youth not engaged in education, employment, or training), and workers from diverse backgrounds have access to quality education, regardless of their location or socio-economic status.

The platform will integrate emerging technologies such as virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and robotics. Key focus areas include agritech and robotic navigation, aimed at increasing public participation and bridging the digital divide.

The technological infrastructure will be developed by Vodafone Italia.

Expected Project Outcomes

Over the 36-month initiative, six use cases will be developed:

1. Smart Agriculture Learning Hub
2. Health Training Center
3. Immersive Education
4. Interactive Didactics
5. LV8 Digital Skill Certificate
6. Robotics 4 Learning

The goal is to implement an innovative educational model based on the Hybrid Classroom framework, serving as a testing ground for emerging technologies such as 5G/6G, AR/VR/Metaverse, Robotics, and Gamification in education.

The use cases aim to:

• Experiment with innovative training models for companies to facilitate technology transfer.
• Introduce reskilling programs for NEETs and initiatives to encourage women’s participation in emerging technologies.
• Develop a widespread educational model leveraging new technologies to promote digital literacy and active citizenship.
• Apply IoT and robotics-based learning to STEM education, engaging children in interactive learning experiences through play.

Role of ITD-CNR

The ITD-CNR branch in Genoa will be involved in the “Interactive Didactics” use case. This initiative will expand the large-scale experimentation of the DI5CIS project, which was showcased during the CNR’s Centennial Celebrations.

Specifically, the interactive story—inspired by the scientific laboratory metaphor and Escape Room format—facilitates real-time collaboration among participants, enhancing STEM learning through a game-based approach.

Collaborations:

• Consorzio MEDITECH - Mediterranean Competence Centre 4 Innovation, Italia
• CeRICT - Centro Regionale Information Communication Technology, Italia
• Comune di Matera, Italia
• Comune di Napoli, Italia
• Fabbrica Italiana dell’Innovazione, Italia
• Fifth Ingenium srls, Italia
• HYPEX, Italia
• CeSMA - Centro Servizi Metrologici e Tecnologici Avanzati, UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI NAPOLI FEDERICO II, Italia
• Vodafone Italia SPA, Italia
• Fondazione Vodafone, Italia
• Foqus - Fondazione Quartieri Spagnoli, Italia