Digital twins for more resilient rural communities: LTFE a key partner in the TERRAE project

Digital twins—virtual models of physical environments that mirror real-world conditions in real time—are becoming one of the key tools for addressing the environmental and climate challenges of the 21st century. While they have long been used in urban areas for infrastructure planning and energy management, their role in rural environments has grown significantly in recent years. Researchers at the Laboratory for Telecommunications (LTFE) at the University of Ljubljana Faculty of Electrical Engineering have been developing and piloting digital solutions for rural communities for many years. In September 2026, they will launch a new project, TERRAE: Digital Twins-Enabled Rural Resilience in Agriculture and Forestry.

Floods, droughts, wildfires and other extreme weather events increasingly threaten agricultural land and forests, as well as the communities that depend on them. A digital twin of a geographical area enables the simulation of different scenarios, prediction of the impacts of natural disasters, and provides decision-makers with timely information for effective response. The TERRAE project will contribute to these efforts by bringing together 17 partners from eight countries: Italy, Greece, the United Kingdom, Germany, Spain, Poland, Belgium and Slovenia. The project is coordinated by the Italian research organisation Fondazione Bruno Kessler (FBK).

The role of UL FE and the Laboratory for Telecommunications

The Slovenian part of the project is led by the Laboratory for Telecommunications at UL FE. The national project is headed by Assoc. Prof. Dr Emilija Stojmenova Duh, while the Slovenian pilot site is coordinated by Argene Superina. The project team also includes Ajda Košorok, a former UL FE student who joined the Laboratory for Telecommunications after completing her studies. In addition to developing digital solutions for rural communities, the project creates opportunities for young talents to become involved in research and innovation.

Within the TERRAE project, the Laboratory for Telecommunications will be responsible for four key activities:

• Development of a digital twin for Črna na Koroškem

In close cooperation with the municipality and local stakeholders, the team will design and coordinate the implementation of a digital model integrating spatial, environmental and infrastructure data. The model will support both professional managers and local decision-makers.

• Community engagement and a participatory approach

The laboratory will coordinate the involvement of local stakeholders, ranging from forest managers to volunteer firefighters, who play a crucial role in responding to natural disasters. The objective is to ensure that the digital tool reflects the community’s actual needs and is both understood and adopted by its users.

• Decision support in emergency situations

Particular attention will be given to crisis management scenarios, where the digital twin will enable simulations and analyses before, during and after natural disasters. The devastating floods of 2023 clearly demonstrated that local communities need timely and reliable data to respond effectively.

• Knowledge transfer and methodological development

The results of the Slovenian pilot will contribute to the common methodological framework of the TERRAE project, enabling the approach to be replicated in other rural regions across Europe.

The Slovenian pilot site: Črna na Koroškem

The Slovenian pilot area for the TERRAE project will be the Municipality of Črna na Koroškem. The municipality was severely affected by the catastrophic floods of 2023 and continues to face challenges related to digital connectivity. As forests cover 83% of its territory, the area is particularly vulnerable to natural disasters. At the same time, sustainable forest management is essential for the local economy and the provision of ecosystem services.

The TERRAE project will run for four years. During this period, the UL FE team will develop practical solutions for Črna na Koroškem while contributing to a broader understanding of how digital technologies can strengthen the resilience of rural communities.

The total value of the project is EUR 5,995,575.03, fully funded by the Horizon Europe programme. Of this amount, EUR 313,000 has been allocated to the University of Ljubljana, while EUR 126,500 is dedicated to the pilot activities in the Municipality of Črna na Koroškem.