The new regional support mechanism gives SMEs, start-ups and innovation stakeholders easier access to expertise, funding information, practical tools and collaboration opportunities for sustainable digital innovation.
Digital Innovation Zone (DIZ) and Gheorghe Asachi Technical University of Iași (TUIASI) officially launched the SustainX One-Stop-Shop for North-East Romania on 20 May 2026, during a DIGIT-ABLE transnational study visit hosted by DIZ in Iași.
Developed within the SustainX: Fostering Sustainable Digital Innovation Investment project, the One-Stop-Shop serves as a single regional access point for organisations seeking support with digitalisation, sustainability, innovation investment and project development.
Connecting European and regional innovation communities
The presentation was part of the DIGIT-ABLE Transnational Activity held in Iași on 19–20 May. The programme combined a peer-learning seminar organised within the European Social Economy Conference Enterprising for Tomorrow with study visits to the ADV Romania Group’s social enterprises and the Digital Innovation Zone European Digital Innovation Hub.
The wider event brought together 51 participants representing SMEs, start-ups, universities, research organisations, public authorities, clusters, associations, non-governmental organisations and European project partners.
During the visit to DIZ, participants received an introduction to the North-East Romania innovation ecosystem, the role of European Digital Innovation Hubs and examples of cooperation between technology providers, businesses and support organisations.
DIZ and TUIASI also presented the SustainX One-Stop-Shop, explained how its services can be accessed and demonstrated how organisations can be connected with relevant expertise, tools, funding pathways and potential partners.
A single entry point for innovation support
The One-Stop-Shop responds to a common challenge faced by SMEs and other organisations: support is available, but it is often spread across different institutions, programmes and networks. Through the new system, regional stakeholders can receive assistance with assessing organisational needs, sustainable digital transformation, applied research, technology transfer, funding opportunities, access to experts and regional or international partnerships.
The process begins when an organisation submits a request describing its challenge, project idea or development need. DIZ and TUIASI then assess the request and identify the most suitable experts, services, tools or collaboration opportunities. The approach combines DIZ’s experience in digital transformation, company support, ecosystem development and European networking with TUIASI’s academic, research and technological capabilities.
Available resources include the SustainX Pre-assessment Tool, a Project Idea Template, information on funding opportunities, value-chain insights, collaboration resources and access to specialised support organisations.
Next steps
Following the launch, DIZ and TUIASI will continue to jointly operate and promote the SustainX One-Stop-Shop. Follow-up activities will include bilateral meetings with interested organisations, responses to individual support requests, connections with experts and services, feedback collection and the facilitation of regional and European partnerships. By bringing digitalisation, research, sustainability and project-development support together, the SustainX One-Stop-Shop will help organisations transform initial challenges and ideas into structured, collaborative and investment-ready innovation initiatives.
The SustainX One-Stop-Shop for North-East Romania is available HERE.
Disclaimer
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are, however, those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union, the European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency or the European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the relevant granting authorities can be held responsible for them.
