Precarpathian eco-energy cluster as part of a consortium together with King Danylo University, Ivano-Frankivsk IT cluster, the Department of Economic Development, Ecology and Energy Saving of the Ivano-Frankivsk City Council, Airbridge Global LLC will join the network of European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIH) within the framework of the EU program “Digital Europe”. The consortium was also awarded the Seal of Excellence.
A total of twelve Ukrainian associations won the competition of the European Commission and as hubs will provide services to business and the public sector in 4 key areas, namely:
• Access to technology and competences: provision of premises, infrastructure and support that will allow companies to experience digital and innovative technologies
• Skills and training: services to improve the skills of employees, in particular, private companies and public sector organizations
• Support in the search for investors: help in finding sources of financing for the implementation of digital transformation, as well as in the development of new digital services and business models
• Search for partners, in particular abroad
It is expected that European digital innovation hubs in Ukraine will become operational in 2025. In order to support Ukrainian hubs at the initial stages of their activity, which will contribute to their stable functioning, thanks to the support of the German government, all 12 associations will receive advisory assistance.
For reference:
• The competition started in May 2024 within the framework of the EU Digital Europe Program to select the best participants for the creation of the European Digital Innovation Hub. Each application was evaluated according to the competition criteria, independently by 3 evaluators. As a result, a shortlist of organizations was formed that are ready to promote innovation and digitalization in Ukraine, as well as help in the implementation of large-scale digital transformation processes of enterprises and public sector institutions.
• The EU competition was preceded by a national selection for which more than 60 applications were submitted, 15 of which were recommended for the EU competition.
• The competition was held within the framework of the EU program “Digital Europe”, the strategic implementer of which in Ukraine is the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine, the practical consultant is the Office for the Development of Entrepreneurship and Export, with the support of the GIZ Ukraine program “Digital Transformation of SMEs in Eastern Partnership Countries”, financed The German government.
More information can be found here https://business.diia.gov.ua/en/cases/iniciativi/dvanadcat-ukrainskyh-obednan-doednautsa-do-merezi-evropejskih-cyfrovyh-innovacijnyh-habiv