Project EDIH-DIZ 2.0 – Made in North-East | Powering Innovation and Public Sector Digital Transformation through AI and Deep Tech, submitted by the EDIH-DIZ consortium formed by the “Gheorghe Asachi” Technical University of Iași, the North-East Regional Development Agency, the Digital Innovation Zone Association, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iași, UAIC, USV Iași, UNAGE Iași, Imago-Mol, Factory 4.0 and the RODIH Association, has recently received the STEP Seal of Excellence from the European Commission with a score of 15/15 possible points.
The STEP Seal represents an official recognition of the quality and strategic relevance of our proposal, evaluated by an international panel of independent experts within the call DIGITAL-2025-EDIH-EU-EEA-08-CONSOLIDATION-STEP. Obtaining this label confirms that our project contributes to the objectives of the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP) and opens up additional opportunities for visibility and funding for the consortium.
STEP is a recent initiative of the European Union that aims to stimulate investments in critical technologies (digital, green, biotechnological, etc.) across Europe. Projects awarded the STEP Seal are recognized for their contribution to these strategic objectives – for example, by advancing digital innovation (such as artificial intelligence within EDIHs) or by strengthening critical value chains. The fact that the EDIH-DIZ 2.0 project has received the STEP Seal of Excellence means that it has met high standards of quality and relevance for Europe’s digital strategic objectives.
What we achieved in EDIH 1.0
This recognition comes as a natural continuation of the results achieved in the EDIH-DIZ 1.0 project, implemented during 2023–2025.
In these years:
- more than 180 companies have directly benefited from digitalization services, of which 93 through contracts for test-before-invest services, technical consultancy, access to funding, and support in digital transformation;
- another 90 companies have been supported in conducting digital maturity self-assessments and guided towards suitable solutions;
- over 600 employees from SMEs and public institutions in the North-East Region have acquired essential digital skills through workshops, trainings, and educational programs organized under the DIZ EDIH umbrella;
- 14 million EURO attracted into the region as funding obtained by EDIH clients – SMEs, public hospitals, museums, and municipalities (UATs).
- 34 events in 3 years – we organized regional caravans, matchmaking events between companies and solution providers, and strengthened the regional ecosystem through partnerships with universities, clusters, and public authorities. The most important and emblematic event being the Annual EDIH-DIZ Conference, which from its first edition in 2023 until 2025 has gathered 400–500 participants per edition.
Why it matters
Obtaining the STEP Seal of Excellence provides us with increased visibility at the European level and a guarantee of quality recognized by the European Commission. In addition, this label facilitates access to new funding opportunities, both through European programs and through national or regional funds.
Benefits for visibility and funding
As an official EU quality mark, the Seal brings several advantages:
- Credibility and prestige: Official validation that the project is of excellence, strengthening the consortium’s reputation and providing confidence to partners, authorities, and SMEs.
- Increased visibility: The European Commission highlights that the STEP Seal can “increase the project’s visibility,” including promotion on European platforms such as the InvestEU Portal.
- Leverage for funding: Although the seal is not direct funding, it facilitates access to alternative funds (European, national, or regional). In many countries, projects with the Seal benefit from special co-financing mechanisms.
- Strengthening the network: Announcing the Seal can mobilize support within the consortium and the region, generating trust and collaboration opportunities with new partners.
This achievement confirms the value of the work carried out by the consortium team and motivates us to continue efforts to strengthen the European network of digital innovation hubs, with a strong focus on artificial intelligence and emerging technologies.
In conclusion, the STEP Seal of Excellence is not just a symbolic diploma, but a strategic lever for visibility, credibility, and access to new resources. Promoting this achievement will strengthen the position of the DIZ EDIH 2.0 consortium as a hub of excellence in digital innovation and open new development opportunities for our region.
Congratulations to everyone involved in EDIH 1.0 and EDIH 2.0!
Together we demonstrate that the North-East Region is a relevant player on the European digitalization map.
