Detailed description of project
The aiDIANA (AI-DrIven wAste maNAgement) project proposes the design, development, and 9-month experimentation of an AI-enabled socio-technical system that supports Sofia Municipality in fostering citizen engagement and behavioural change toward sustainable waste management. Building on the Municipal Waste Management Programme 2021–2028, aiDIANA introduces a digital innovation that integrates AI-powered communication, data analytics, and educational content delivery.
At the core of aiDIANA lies a multilingual AI chatbot, integrated into the waste.sofia.bg platform and optimised for mobile and desktop access (Android/iOS). Powered by Natural Language Processing (NLP), the chatbot operates 24/7 to provide real-time answers to citizen questions about recycling, waste separation, and sustainability practices. It also delivers interactive educational materials, FAQs, and gamified learning activities that encourage citizens to adopt sustainable behaviours and understand the impact of their actions on the environment.
Type and scope of work provided
- AI Deployment: Developing a 24/7 chatbot (web/mobile) providing real-time Q&A in Bulgarian and English.
- Behavioral Change: Implementing gamification (eco-points, badges) and “micro-lessons” to encourage waste separation.
- Data Integration: Connecting to municipal IoT systems via APIs to track recycling center performance and user trends.
- Pilot Execution: Testing in five recycling centers across the Nadejda and Oborishte districts.
- Citizen Engagement: Involving 100+ participants in workshops and usability testing to refine the system.
- Analytics: Providing the Municipality with interactive dashboards to monitor awareness gaps and optimize communication.
- Scalability Planning: Creating a framework to expand the service to all 40 Sofia recycling centers.
aiDIANA is funded through cascading funds in the scope of the project CLIMABOROUGH, which is co-funded by the European Union and CINEA. CLIMABOROUGH has the ambition to bridge the gap between design and implementation of urban innovations, particularly in the face of climatic change and its consequential needs for adaptation and mitigation.
