On June 17-18, 2026, our colleagues Adelina Marinescu (Senior Innovation Manager) and Cristina Vărvăruc (Project Manager) took part in a working visit to Sofia, Bulgaria, organized as part of the SustainX program.
The Digital Innovation Zone (DIZ) team joined international partners and companies from the SustainX program for two intense days of strategic dialogue, best practice exchange, and networking.
Hosted by the local partner, the Applied Research and Communications Fund (ARC Fund), the main objective of the event was to stimulate synergies between innovation ecosystems and provide solid support for SMEs in the midst of their digital transformation and green transition.
Day 1: The Interregional Workshop “Innovation Ecosystem Synergies & SME Collaboration” at Sofia Tech Park
The first day kicked off with the interregional workshop “Innovation Ecosystem Synergies & SME Collaboration.” This dynamic setting offered the companies selected for the program an excellent opportunity to showcase their activities, share their market insights, and network directly with other members of the SustainX community.
One of the key moments of the day was the panel session dedicated to cooperation among innovation ecosystems and support mechanisms for SMEs. Cristina Vărvăruc, Project Manager at DIZ, joined as a speaker to bring the Digital Innovation Zone’s perspective to the forefront. She emphasized the crucial role that European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs) play in facilitating international connections, accelerating digitalization, and building long-lasting commercial and technological partnerships for businesses.
The agenda continued with a study visit to Sofia Tech Park, Bulgaria’s leading scientific, technological, and innovation hub. Participants explored the park’s state-of-the-art infrastructure, research laboratories, and business incubator, gaining practical insight into how the local ecosystem supports startup scaling and technology transfer.
Day 2: The SustainX Program Team Working Meeting – What Does This Mean for SMEs in the North-East Region?
The second day, June 18, was exclusively dedicated to a working meeting attended by all partners of the SustainX program. This working session was marked by in-depth strategic discussions aimed at assessing the current progress of the program and mapping out future directions.
The partners’ primary focus? Continuously optimizing support tools and identifying new levers through which the consortium can generate value, strong synergies, and concrete opportunities for our community of beneficiaries.
For the business environment and SMEs in the North-East region of Romania, these cross-border partnerships translate directly into:
- Matchmaking with the ecosystems of the SustainX program’s partner countries;
- Exchange of technology and know-how with experts at the European level;
- Support solutions and instruments prepared by the program partners for sustainable and highly competitive growth.
By actively participating in SustainX activities, Digital Innovation Zone reaffirms its firm commitment to connecting the North-East region to the European innovation network, bringing international opportunities closer to drive the success of local entrepreneurs.
About the SustainX Consortium
The program brings together a powerful network of European organizations renowned for supporting innovation, consisting of:
- Applied Research and Communications Fund (Bulgaria)
- Digital Innovation Zone (Romania)
- “Gheorghe Asachi” Technical University of Iași (Romania)
- Fundación Santa Cruz Sostenible (Spain – Canary Islands)
- iED – Institute of Entrepreneurship Development (Greece)
- IMP³ROVE (Germany)
- Latvian Technological Center (Latvia).