#SuccesStory
In October 2023, DIZ successfully obtained a co-financing of 9,059,496.39 LEI through the Smart Growth, Digitization and Financial Instruments Program 2021-2027, through action 2.4 Digitization of SMEs carried out through European Digital Innovation Hubs in Romania (EDIH), managed by The Authority for Digitization of Romania. This co-financing complements the 1.8 million euro grant obtained directly from the European Commission, within the Digital Europe program, in October 2022.
The objective of the project is to ensure a smart, sustainable and coherent digital transformation in the North-East region of Romania by supporting over 100 SMEs and public institutions, active in the production and health sectors (relevant sectors with growth potential according North-East RIS3) with a complete package of services to ensure a concrete and measurable impact by 2025.
Thus, on January 22, 2024, the Digital Innovation Zone launched the first call for access to state aid, non-reimbursable for digitization and innovation for SMEs and fully subsidized services for public institutions, from the North-East Region, Accelerating change: Transformation services digital and innovation for SMEs and public institutions. More details about the call here.
DIZ will select a minimum of 30 SMEs, with projects to digitize their business, with priority in the fields of health and/or production, or that develop solutions that are applicable in these fields.
SMEs will benefit, for 6 – 12 months, from support services for the digitization of their activity or the integration of new technologies, from auditing digitalization needs, to technology demonstration and testing services, development of a solution or product concept with a digital component, access to advanced digital skills or digital culture programs.
By launching this call, the Digital Innovation Zone aims to identify and support small and medium-sized enterprises in the health and manufacturing sectors, as well as innovators developing innovative solutions in these areas.
The main purpose is to provide support services and specialized consultancy, between 50,000 – 150,000. 100% non-refundable, to accelerate the process of digitization and implementation of digital technologies.
Digital Innovation Zone aims to become the trusted partner of SMEs and innovators in healthcare and manufacturing, providing them with the necessary resources to increase their level of digital maturity.
At the first call, 40 SMEs and 10 public institutions were selected that entered the digital transformation process with a complex roadmap that includes services from the 4 categories: access to the innovation ecosystem, development of digital skills, testing before investment and access to finance.
