Boosting the uptake of emerging technologies in circular economy implementation in construction and buildings industry in Danube region to sustainably harness the tween transition for greener future

Programme 2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-B Danube

Date of latest update: 2025-12-17

Description

Description (EN):

The construction and building industry in Danube region depletes resources, generates over a third of the total waste and emits greenhouse gases at large scale - more in lagging countries and less in the innovations' pioneers in the area. The fragmented and risk-averse construction sector is slow to adopt digital innovation across Danube area. Digital technologies serve as a prerequisite for a shift to circular constructions where building materials are reused. The circular economy (CE) has the potential to capitalise upon emerging digital technologies, such as big data, artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain and the Internet of things (IoT), amongst others. These digital technologies combined with business model innovation are deemed to provide solutions to myriad problems in the diverse Danube region, related to CE transformation. Applying new approaches and inter-sectoral solutions, the project aims to capture the essence of the achievement at the intersection of the CE and digital technologies with a focus on forging pathways of CE implementation across Danube countries. Federating efforts from quadruple-helix players, a well-functioning DR innovation ecosystem with a new Cluster for increasing regional capacities to absorb innovation will be formed to promote interregional RDI cooperation, exchanging cross-sectoral experiences between innovation actors from leading and lagging Danube countries. Barriers to digitalisation-led CE transition will be identified and related policies - improved. iImportant and applicable innovations for achieving the digitalisation enabled CE will be sought. Three pilots will be implemented to showcase how disruptive innovations for circular economy interventions can harness the ‘clean construction” practices in Danube region. New Danube region strategy for improving circularity in the construction and building business will be deployed, agreed and popularised, with 13 national action plans and 1 Plan for up-scaling the Pilots.

Actual Achievements (EN):

The first 6 months of the project have been dedicated to finalising the project contracting process, to laying down the strong foundation of the partnership, to establish the management structures and internal documentation flow principles, to starting the internal partnership platform in Teamwork, to setting up all communication channels and the communication plan, agreeing on the detailed work plan for the first Period, to construct the Period 1 working groups and to distributing the tasks internally between partners. Partners have held series of meetings together: - at the start of the project (online 17.01.2024): Discussion of the project approach and individual responsibilities. - One-to-one meetings with all other 17 partners - clarification of individual questions regarding the course of the project. - Working Group Knowledge (online 09/02/2024), (online 29 February 2024). - First workshop D.2.1.3 (04/04/2024): - -Second workshop D.2.1.3 (22/05/2024): - A thematic open Webinar "Preparedness and Needs for Innovations in the Construction Industry in the Danube Area" held by PP4 HSH (26.06.2024 ) - Monthly online Meetings (held on 30.01, 27.02, 26.03, 30.04.24, 28.05, 25.06): Reports on project progress in the first reporting period. Discussion of internal project matters relating to organisation, financing and implementation. Exchange on individual points regarding the planning of activities and realisation of deliverables. All planned activities have been entirely implemented in full pace, in full format and without any deviation or compromises in the quality. All partners have devotedly followed LP1 BAA instructions and all the tasks distributed have been fully performed, in time and with an outstanding effectiveness and according the best research and project management standards. The main deliverables have been put into effect as planned, with the planned participation of relevant working group leaders, participants and with the subsequent involvement of all partners. All tasks have been distributed between the partners and working groupd according their specific expertise and networking capacities to ensure effectiveness and high quality of results. All partners contributed to the elaboration of the methodological guideline for the elaboration of the Stakeholder Analysis Report and Common assessment study for the preparedness and needs for innovations in the construction industry. Partners implemented on national and on partnership level the performance of the planned Desk research and study among identified stakeholders from the whole quadruple helix concept for identification of needs and challenges they face when it comes to the use of advanced technologies and solutions for digital transition and smart specialisation, and applying the principles of circularity in their businesses. The analysis included detailed information on circular economy initiatives related to the eco-innovation index, circular material use rate (CMU), landfill and recycling rates, and strategies for integration both on policy and educational levels. Results from the conducted surveys on preparedness and needs for innovations in construction industry barriers and opportunities have been processed and will be used for further elaboration within the next project deliverables. All partners participated in the realisation of the 1st Transnational meeting (9-10.04. Vienna, Austria), the Transnational seminar, the 2 online collaborative workshops, and the Thematic open webinar to ensure that additional knowledge on various aspects relevant to the circular economy and digitalisation within the construction industry is gained and vastly spread. As policy improvement and increasing knowledge of policymakers are amongst the main ambitions of the project, partners contributed to the establishment of the stakeholders’ database and the elaboration of the stakeholder involvement concept. The stakeholders were reached by different channels from the very beginning of the project including emails, calls, social media, newsletters, and stakeholders' communication channels. Based on the methodology provided by LP1 BAA, the stakeholders groups in all partners' countries have been set. The first transnational meeting of the consortium was held in Vienna, Austria with project partners and associated strategic partners participating both on-site and online where each partner per country presented the preliminary results of state-of-the-art analysis within a circular economy, digitalization, and construction sector. Moreover, the thematic seminar was held giving further knowledge on the examined topic. Project deliverables within this period provide recommendations for the elaboration of the upcoming intellectual project activities and the policy support measures. LP1 BAA continues to lead the partnership to keep up the high level of execution of all planned activities and the realisation of the planned deliverables. During Period 1 and 2 all planned activities have been entirely implemented in full pace, in full format and without any deviation or compromises in the quality. All PPs have devotedly followed LP1 BAA instructions and all the tasks distributed have been fully performed, in time and with an outstanding effectiveness and according the best research and project management standards. The main deliverables have been put into effect as planned, with the planned participation of relevant working group leaders, participants and with the subsequent involvement of all Pps All tasks have been distributed between the PPs and working groupd according their specific expertise and networking capacities to ensure effectiveness and high quality of results. Main achievements are the 4 foundation documents: - Boosting Regional Innovation Ecosystems Cooperation in Danube area - Construction, Circular Economy and Digitalisation – territorial analysis - Common assessment study for the preparedness and needs for innovations in construction industry in Danube area – the Study - Disruptive technologies, circular economy and the building industry in the Danube area – the Report - Analysis "Cross-sectoral opportunities for CE solutions and innovations in construction and building" – the Analysis They have been promoted vastly on national and international level and are present on the project website. PPs have held series of online meetings and 2 meetings in presence as planned: - Working Group Knowledge (online 09/02/2024), (online 29 February 2024). - First P1 workshop D.2.1.3 (04/04/2024): - -Second P1 workshop D.2.1.3 (22/05/2024): - A thematic open Webinar "Preparedness and Needs for Innovations in the Construction Industry in the Danube Area" held by PP4 HSH (26.06.2024 ) - 1st Transnational meeting (9-10.04. Vienna, Austria) - first P2 workshop (27 August 2024), during which the common methodology for the Report „Disruptive technologies, circular economy & the building industry in Danube area” was discussed; - second P2 workshop (14 October 2024) was dedicated to presenting and discussing the common methodology and the country report template for the Report - the P2 open Webinar (18 December) „CE-driven emerging technologies for construction in Danube” has presented the results and laid the foundation for next activities; - the first Workshop (14 October 2024) during which the methodology for the Analysis has been presented and a discussion has been held. - the second Workshop (24 September 2024) during which the draft analysis has been discussed based on feedback for further improvements. - the Transnational Seminar (2–3 December 2024, Bucharest) during which all PPs contributed to the active discussions on CE innovations. . All PPs contributed to the elaboration of the methodological guideline for the elaboration of the Stakeholder Analysis Report and Common assessment study for the preparedness and needs for innovations in the construction industry in Period 1. PPs implemented on national and on partnership level the performance of the planned Desk research and study among identified stakeholders from the whole quadruple helix concept for identification of needs and challenges they face when it comes to the use of advanced technologies and solutions for digital transition and smart specialisation, and applying the principles of circularity in their businesses. In period 2 all PPs contributed to research work by reviewing and analyzing the methodology developed by PP15 ICENT to valorize existing knowledge and technologies for the Report. PPs approved a consolidated systematic report (2 main parts in 150 pages) . All PPs contributed to the amendment of the methodology and questionnaire elaborated by the working group led by PP9, They worked intensively within the partnership and with their regional stakeholders and associated strategic partners to ensure valuable and comprehensive national inputs to both important Period's deliverables - the "Circular economy opportunities analysis for the building industry in Danube area" (the Analysis). During Period 2 all PPs supported the establishment of a Danubian network for circularity in construction by collaborating with a long list of regional stakeholders to outline the network structure. With a goal set in the AF of at least 30 members from 14 countries for reducing innovation barriers and closing the innovation gap across the area, so far 42 members from 13 countries have joined with a MoU with the agreed goal to commonly enhance digitalisation-led circular economy innovations in construction and buildings and related policies in Danube region. Through these efforts during period 2 all PPs demonstrated strong commitment to the project goals, ensuring impactful contributions to the development of sustainable construction practices in the Danube region. At the end of Period 2 PR1 was approved and the amounts certified have been transferred to PPs.

Project outputs: Danubian network for circularity in construction(EN)
Pilot activities for applying digitalisation-led with potentially large environmental impacts for Danube region(EN)
Danube Transnational Strategy on digitalisation-led CE innovations in construction(EN)
Transnational action plan (TAP) in 13 countries(EN)
Blueprints for digital push and reinforcement of circular economy practices in buildings and construction industry (EN)

Thematic information

Construction and renovation ICT and digital society

Priority: (VI-B_D_1) Priority 1 - A more competitive and smarter Danube Region

Priority specific objective: RSO1.1. Developing and enhancing research and innovation capacities and the uptake of advanced technologies

Priority policy objective (Interreg specific objective): PO1 A more competitive and smarter Europe by promoting innovative and smart economic transformation and regional ICT connectivity

Type of intervention: 030 Research and innovation processes, technology transfer and cooperation between enterprises, focusing on circular economy

Partners (18)

Lead Partner: Сдружение Бизнес агенция

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 103550317

Address: Prezviter Kozma, 9002 Varna, Bulgaria

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Business support organisation

Website: http://www.vba.bg

Total budget: EUR 313 300.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 250 640.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 62 660.00

Вангавис

Name: Вангавис

Partner’s ID if not PIC: BG205194194

Address: Vitosha Blvd., 1463 Sofia, Bulgaria

Legal status: public

Organisation type: SME

Website: http://www.vangavis.com

Total budget: EUR 100 000.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 80 000.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 20 000.00

Сдружение „Европейски цифров иновационен хъб в сектор строителство“

Name: Сдружение „Европейски цифров иновационен хъб в сектор строителство“

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 206538214

Address: Poligona Square, "Mikhail Tenev" Str., 1784 Sofia , Bulgaria

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Interest groups including NGOs

Website: http://www.edih-construction.bg

Total budget: EUR 150 600.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 120 480.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 30 120.00

Centrul de Consultanță în Afaceri A.O

Name: Centrul de Consultanță în Afaceri A.O

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 1010620005896

Address: Petru Movilă , 2020 Chisinau, Moldova

Legal status: private

Organisation type: Interest groups including NGOs

Website: http://www.cca-ngo.org

Total budget: EUR 100 000.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 80 000.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 20 000.00

Inovacijski centar Nikola Tesla

Name: Inovacijski centar Nikola Tesla

Partner’s ID if not PIC: HR48640028500

Address: Unska , 10020 Zagreb, Croatia

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Higher education and research organisations

Website: https://www.icent.hr/en/

Total budget: EUR 166 250.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 133 000.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 33 250.00

TERA TEHNOPOLIS d.o.o. za promicanje novih tehnologija, inovacija i poduzetništva

Name: TERA TEHNOPOLIS d.o.o. za promicanje novih tehnologija, inovacija i poduzetništva

Partner’s ID if not PIC: HR39077073015

Address: Trg Ljudevita Gaja , 31000 Osijek, Croatia

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Business support organisation

Website: https://tera.hr/

Total budget: EUR 130 000.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 104 000.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 26 000.00

Contractors:

Name: MINIMAL.MEDIA
VAT registration or tax identification number: HR20887786888
Name: HUIP
VAT registration or tax identification number: HR28975021707

Crna Gora bez smeca

Name: Crna Gora bez smeca

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 11017410

Address: Njegoseva 9, 81 000 Podgorica, 81 000 Podgorica, Montenegro

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Interest groups including NGOs

Website: https://www.zerowastemontenegro.me/en/

Total budget: EUR 100 000.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 80 000.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 20 000.00

Naučno tehnološki park Novi Sad

Name: Naučno tehnološki park Novi Sad

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 111769185

Address: Fruskogorska , 21102 Novi Sad, Serbia

Legal status: private

Organisation type: SME

Website: http://www.ntpns.rs

Total budget: EUR 100 000.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 80 000.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 20 000.00

Contractors:

Name: Milan Jovin
VAT registration or tax identification number: 1404001800105

Sarajevska regionalna razvojna agencija

Name: Sarajevska regionalna razvojna agencija

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 200816600000

Address: Kolodvorska , 71000 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Other

Website: https://serda.ba/

Total budget: EUR 100 000.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 80 000.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 20 000.00

Contractors:

Name: CENER 21
VAT registration or tax identification number: 201084520004

AGENTIA PENTRU DEZVOLATRE REGIONALA A REGIUNII VEST

Name: AGENTIA PENTRU DEZVOLATRE REGIONALA A REGIUNII VEST

Partner’s ID if not PIC: RO46450127

Address: GHEORGHE LAZAR 14, 300080, TIMISOARA, 300080 TIMISOARA, Romania

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Interest groups including NGOs

Website: https://adrvest.ro/

Total budget: EUR 150 000.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 120 000.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 30 000.00

Asociatia Institutul pentru Cercetări în Economie Circulară şi Mediu “Ernest Lupan”

Name: Asociatia Institutul pentru Cercetări în Economie Circulară şi Mediu “Ernest Lupan”

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 30762068

Address: Dorobantilor Street, 400609 Cluj-Napoca , Romania

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Interest groups including NGOs

Website: http://www.ircem.ro

Total budget: EUR 130 000.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 104 000.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 26 000.00

Pécs-Baranyai Kereskedelmi és Iparkamara

Name: Pécs-Baranyai Kereskedelmi és Iparkamara

Partner’s ID if not PIC: HU 18304433

Address: Majorossy Imre, 7625 Pécs, Hungary

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Business support organisation

Website: https://pbkik.hu/

Total budget: EUR 150 650.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 120 520.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 30 130.00

Univerza v Ljubljani

Name: Univerza v Ljubljani

Department: Faculty of electrical engineering

Partner’s ID if not PIC: SI54162513

Address: Kongresni trg , 1503 Ljubljana, Slovenia

Department address: Tržaška cesta , 1503 Ljubljana, Slovenia

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Higher education and research organisations

Website: http://www.uni-lj.si/eng/

Total budget: EUR 160 900.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 128 720.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 32 180.00

Slovak Business Agency

Name: Slovak Business Agency

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 2020869279

Address: Karadžičova 2, 811 09, Bratislava, 811 09 Bratislava, Slovakia

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Business support organisation

Website: http://www.sbagency.sk

Total budget: EUR 150 000.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 120 000.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 30 000.00

Institut Cirkulární Ekonomiky, z.ú.

Name: Institut Cirkulární Ekonomiky, z.ú.

Department: Prague office

Partner’s ID if not PIC: CZ04065956

Address: Purkyňova , 612 00 Brno-Medlánky Brno-Medlánky, Czech Republic

Department address: Hybernská, 11000 Prague, Czech Republic

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Interest groups including NGOs

Website: https://incien.org

Total budget: EUR 150 000.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 120 000.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 30 000.00

Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften Hof

Name: Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften Hof

Partner’s ID if not PIC: DE257786853

Address: Alfons-Goppel-Platz , D 95028 Hof, Germany

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Higher education and research organisations

Website: https://www.iisys.de/forschung/forschungsgruppen/recht/team-recht.html

Total budget: EUR 172 700.50

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 138 160.40

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 34 540.10

Austria Wirtschaftsservice Gesellschaft mbH

Name: Austria Wirtschaftsservice Gesellschaft mbH

Department: n/a

Partner’s ID if not PIC: ATU 55681202

Address: Walcherstraße 11A, 1020 Wien, Austria

Department address: Walcherstrasse 11A, A-1020 Vienna, Austria

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Business support organisation

Website: https://www.aws.at/

Total budget: EUR 307 375.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 245 900.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 61 475.00

Речек EOOD

Name: Речек EOOD

Partner’s ID if not PIC: BG204305695

Address: Shesti Septemvri str., 7000 Ruse, Bulgaria

Legal status: public

Organisation type: SME

Website: http://www.recheck.io

Total budget: EUR 170 175.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 136 140.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 34 035.00

Partners map

Partners and Projects info

Vangavis

Boosting the uptake of emerging technologies in circular economy implementation in construction and buildings industry in Danube region to sustainably harness the tween transition for greener future

Partners and Projects info

European digital innovation hub in construction sector

Boosting the uptake of emerging technologies in circular economy implementation in construction and buildings industry in Danube region to sustainably harness the tween transition for greener future

Partners and Projects info

Business Advisory Center NGO

Boosting the uptake of emerging technologies in circular economy implementation in construction and buildings industry in Danube region to sustainably harness the tween transition for greener future

Partners and Projects info

Innovation Centre Nikola Tesla

Boosting the uptake of emerging technologies in circular economy implementation in construction and buildings industry in Danube region to sustainably harness the tween transition for greener future

Partners and Projects info

TERA TEHNOPOLIS, ltd for promoting new technologies, innovations and entrepreneurship

Boosting the uptake of emerging technologies in circular economy implementation in construction and buildings industry in Danube region to sustainably harness the tween transition for greener future

Partners and Projects info

Zero Waste Montenegro

Boosting the uptake of emerging technologies in circular economy implementation in construction and buildings industry in Danube region to sustainably harness the tween transition for greener future

Partners and Projects info

Science and Technology Park Novi Sad

Boosting the uptake of emerging technologies in circular economy implementation in construction and buildings industry in Danube region to sustainably harness the tween transition for greener future

Partners and Projects info

Sarajevo economic regional development agency

Boosting the uptake of emerging technologies in circular economy implementation in construction and buildings industry in Danube region to sustainably harness the tween transition for greener future

Partners and Projects info

REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT AGENCY FOR WEST REGION

Boosting the uptake of emerging technologies in circular economy implementation in construction and buildings industry in Danube region to sustainably harness the tween transition for greener future

Partners and Projects info

INSTITUTE FOR RESEARCH IN CIRCULAR ECONOMY AND ENVIRONMENT „ERNEST LUPAN”

Boosting the uptake of emerging technologies in circular economy implementation in construction and buildings industry in Danube region to sustainably harness the tween transition for greener future

Partners and Projects info

Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Pécs-Baranya

Boosting the uptake of emerging technologies in circular economy implementation in construction and buildings industry in Danube region to sustainably harness the tween transition for greener future

Partners and Projects info

University of Ljubljana

Boosting the uptake of emerging technologies in circular economy implementation in construction and buildings industry in Danube region to sustainably harness the tween transition for greener future

Partners and Projects info

Slovak Business Agency

Boosting the uptake of emerging technologies in circular economy implementation in construction and buildings industry in Danube region to sustainably harness the tween transition for greener future

Partners and Projects info

Institute of Circular Economy

Boosting the uptake of emerging technologies in circular economy implementation in construction and buildings industry in Danube region to sustainably harness the tween transition for greener future

Partners and Projects info

Hof University of applied sciences

Boosting the uptake of emerging technologies in circular economy implementation in construction and buildings industry in Danube region to sustainably harness the tween transition for greener future

Partners and Projects info

Austria Business Service

Boosting the uptake of emerging technologies in circular economy implementation in construction and buildings industry in Danube region to sustainably harness the tween transition for greener future

Partners and Projects info

ReCheck

Boosting the uptake of emerging technologies in circular economy implementation in construction and buildings industry in Danube region to sustainably harness the tween transition for greener future

Partners and Projects info

Business Agency Association

Boosting the uptake of emerging technologies in circular economy implementation in construction and buildings industry in Danube region to sustainably harness the tween transition for greener future

Lead partner

Project partner

Summary

Project name (EN): Boosting the uptake of emerging technologies in circular economy implementation in construction and buildings industry in Danube region to sustainably harness the tween transition for greener future

Project acronym: Circular DigiBuild

Project ID: DRP0200309

Project start date: 2024-01-01

Project end date: 2026-06-30

Project status: ongoing

Relevant linked projects:

DEVISE project under INTERREG EUROPE, DEVISE aims to give response to the current challenge that 10 European regions are facing to unlock and exploit the potential that digital tech SMEs have as enabler for the competitiveness of other SMEs belonging to sectors included in their Regional Smart Specialisation Strategies (RIS3).
Although a significant progress has been made in the definition of more focused policies supporting these strategic sectors, more coordinated actions are required to foster the growth of digital SMEs providing innovative solutions that allow other sectors to be more competitive.
Having this into consideration, DEVISE aims, by 2021, to increase by 15% the number of digital tech SMEs enabling competitiveness in other regional strategic sectors through improved supporting policy instruments.
In doing so, the project will follow an innovative intersectoral approach involving all the relevant stakeholders in the process of analysing the current context, learning from other EU regions and defining improved policies integrating the lessons learnt.
DEVISE will produce concrete outputs to meet this objective and other long-term effects. This includes the definition of 10 regional action plans that will help policy makers to improve the effectiveness of the instruments they are responsible through more focused actions supporting the issue addressed in DEVISE.
10 regional digital transformation enabling environments that will cooperate together will be set up.. DEVISE will facilitate the creation of these environments formed by digital and other key sectors. Policy makers, business support organisations, educational centres and SMEs from the digital and other smart specialisation sectors will be the main participants and beneficiaries of these environments expected to last beyond DEVISE’. These environments will bring improved coordination and increased collaboration between the digital sector and those belonging to other smart specialisation sectors. (EN) | The project revealed the huge need of digital innovation from the side of construction and building businesses in Bulgaria, as partner country. During implementation businesses from construction were requiring new solutions for their digital transformation and underlined the lack of their preparedness for circular economy. The project builds on these identified needs. (EN), The project partners recognise that digital transformation is more than speeding the uptake of digital technologies in Peripheral and Emerging Regions. CARPE DIGEM is about how to create functioning Digital Innovation Ecosystems (DIGEM) with their RTDI skills, packages and delivery mechanisms within government, civil society and business that are required to convert the use and application of new technologies into economic and social opportunity. This requires investments in structures, strategies, tools and people that both complement and enhance the impact of the technology itself; in competences and skills, in organisational change, in new processes, business and governance models, and also in the intellectual assets that help create value from the new technologies. This element of transformation is more complex and requires greater investments than the diffusion of the technologies themselves. Moreover, it has been moving more slowly, particularly in regions outside the economic and social mainstream, where the impacts of new technologies are often complex.
We will specifically address the issue of building 'SUSTAINABLE digital innovation ecosystems', focusing on inter-regional cooperation: sharing, co-development, social and economic inclusion not just on gateways to services delivered by metropolitan areas which could accentuate the regional digital divide. Crucially, we want to make sure DIGEMs work as suggested in all EC and OECD strategic documents in ALL regions; to engage with the MA’s at all levels and ensure DIGEMs can be mediators between Government and industry. Digital transformation increases the pressure on firms and public bodies to innovate continuously. CARPE DIGEM will show how we can collectively catalyse, lever, network and expand inter-regional digital eco-systems, enhancing inclusion and mediation/brokerage/coaching capacity to provide universal access to the integrated digital solutions and eco-systems our citizens and enterprises need. (EN) | The project showed the lagging behind of construction and building industry in Bulgaria and Slovenia as partners from the innovations and digitalisations. On the other side, the project helped partners map and identify the regional innovation ecosystems as drivers of innovation and progress. The results of the project drove the focus of Circular DigiBuild to the building a-f a transnational ecosystem with its tools and mechanism as the ultimate booster of innovation potential for the construction and building business, supported by digital and circular economy evangelists. (EN), The common challenge addressed by DIGITAL REGIONS is how to best adapt innovation policies to support smart specialisation in the manufacturing sector as a result of the emergence of INDUSTRY 4.0 (INDUSTRY 4.0 or I4.0 is often referred to as the 4th Industrial Revolution and its solutions sit at the intersection of digital transformation and advanced industrial capabilities).
The overall objective is to, by 2022, achieve a 15% increase of the number of SMEs from manufacturing sector cooperating with other innovation actors in the participant regions to implement I4.0 solutions as a result of improved innovation policies.
The 8 participant regions are Oberfranken (DE), Slovenia (SI), Espace Mittelland-Canton of Bern (CH), BMW (IE), Centro (PT), Cantabria (ES), Varna (BG) and West (RO).They are distributed across the 4 IE zones with a mix of central/peripheral areas and innovation levels (leader, strong, moderate and modest).
All have manufacturing as a smart specialisation priority and are represented by an appropriate mix of partners from each region's innovation value-chain including managing authorities, universities, INDUSTRY 4.0 Centres of Excellence and business development intermediaries.
The project seeks to improve 7 ERDF policies addressing the Thematic Objective "strengthening research, technological development and innovation” and 1 Swiss-equivalent policy.
It will result in instruments which better meet the needs of I4.0 in smart specialisation manufacturing regions, taking into account revised 2021-2027 Investment for Growth and Jobs priorities and the new Horizon Europe and Digital Europe policies. They will include measures to facilitate increased I4.0 policy cooperation between regions, increased participation by SMEs and availability of skills.
It will benefit all stakeholders in each region’s innovation ecosystem, i.e. innovation policy makers, SMEs that use I4.0 solutions, suppliers of I4.0 services and universities and innovation centres. (EN) | The project, gathering together Germany, Romania, Bulgaria with Slovenia, showed how the cooperation between manufacturing sector with innovation actors, supported by improved policies, can boost regions competitiveness. From this project CDB took inspiration and synergy on how to organise the policy improvements process and how to ensure the cooperation between different stakeholders. (EN), CECI aims at improving and developing regional policies through promoting citizen involvement in circular economy. Changes in consumption patterns are essential when striving towards lengthening product life cycles through reuse, repair, remanufacturing and refurbishment as well as energy saving. At the same time, the adoption of sharing economy reduces the need for new products and generation of waste. In the project, Good Practices on citizen involvement are transferred related especially to sharing economy services e.g. tool/toy library, and repair services.
In CECI, eight partners from six regions share a strong interest to exchange knowledge of services and citizen involvement in circular economy. The content is in line with the objectives of the EU Circular Economy Package. Through the project, local, regional and national cooperation will develop. CECI will support regions to develop circular economy strategies and solutions, where citizens are in a key role.
The activities include a citizen dialogue on local/regional level, as well as interregional capacity building to support the impact on policy instruments. Through the exchange of Good Practices, the partner regions will be better equipped to develop their Action Plans on citizen involvement and circular services. Well-prepared thematic workshops, round-table discussions and site visits will form the basis for sharing expertise and drive the partners towards joint policy development.
As a result of CECI, the partner regions will develop knowledge on the importance of citizens in circular economy, and gain expertise in implementing new solutions. In addition, CECI will raise public awareness to create a demand for sustainable services. The changes in consumption patterns will create circular economy business opportunities, green growth and jobs. The Good Practices from the project partners will be documented and shared for wider EU use through the Policy Learning Platform. (EN) | This project brings synergy with the impact the involvement of BAA has achieved in Varna, Bulgaria. The Circular economy involvement of citizens has open new avenues for improving municipal policies for waste management. From here started the cooperation with renowned players from across Danube, that are leading experts in circular economy and this resulted in the deployment of Circular Digi Build. (EN), Circular4.0 addressed specific objectives to Integrate the EU circular economy Action plan with specific actions addressed to the Alpine Space area and its peculiarities, focusing particularly to SMEs (eco-design and innovative business models), value-chain and clusters according to S3 and the EUSALP strategic sectors; policy makers (integrate circular economy into innovation policies for SMEs and 2020+ Programme). (EN) | AWS has joined Circular DigiBuild at the second step to ensure durability and synergy with the projects it implements and especially this one. The synergy will lay in sharing with new partners and new business sectors the lessons learned from Circular 4.0 (EN), ReCheck implemented a project led by the Dutch Ministry of Interior and the Dutch Land Registry (Kadaster). The solution that is being developed by the team aims at making buildings more energy-efficient through implementing various renovation work. The pilot prototype that ReCheck has developed is completely aligned with the emerging trends for sustainability and the circularity of materials and processes. The Building Renovation Passport utilises the UOI as infrastructure and it will empower homeowners and building managers to better measure and monitor the energy performance of buildings (EN) | ReCheck will promote the approaches learned during thi sproject and will use the lessons e=learned to lead the WG Pilots. (EN), ReCheck is one of the companies behind the development of a material circularity passport – a project led by Arup. Together with other participants, ReCheck is taking part in shaping the material circularity passport, which will collect and validate information about raw materials used in a building. To guarantee the integrity of all historical data on circular materials, ReCheck developed a blockchain layer to the platform, where records of all transactions will be stored in an immutable and transparent environment. (EN) | ReCheck will bring the expertise from this project to new territories and new partners opening its gained knowledge for more beneficiaries, also through the open webinars that are planned. (EN), CEI BOOST - While policymakers are yet to actively link digitalisation with wider sustainability efforts when developing policies and financing projects, there is a growing need to align the circular and digital agendas. The Green Deal recognises that circular economy and strong involvement from industry is central to making the EU’s economy sustainable.
Digitalization is a driving force behind a number of industries. CE, on the other hand, aims at optimizing resource use within industries. There is a clear connection between these two trends, and in order to accelerate change towards a sustainable circular economy, further coordination is needed. Digitalization can help drive this transition towards circular business. Regions can benefit from exploring and copying digital innovators' achievements, deploying supportive incentive and financing schemes to uphold the implementation of digital innovations in CE thus boosting the change toward more circularity in regions to reach EU's 2050 targets, while ensuring sustainable future.
The project aims at improving policies for easing and speeding up the twin transition to ensure that Green Growth and Digital Transformation go hand in hand to drive regions’ recovery and prosperity.
It will focus at enhancing policies conditions in 9 countries for boosting the application of emerging digital innovations to support the growth of circular economy at regional, local or national level, gathering expertise from different regions, different levels' policymakers and leading innovation ecosystems' actors.
The project will investigate and test approaches and tools to assess, strengthen and support both regional digital and circular innovation ecosystems in non-metropolitan,rural and emerging regions in Europe. It will explore, cross-fertilise, select and adapt for transfer the best-fit intervention approaches for addressing the identified challenges through digital innovations in circular economy, serving as a model to be followed. (EN) | This project, started at March 1 2023 will have reached some level of maturity when the implementation of Circular DigiBuild will start thus ensuring some additional gathered knowledge in similar topics and challenges answered will be already available and will enrich the experience of CDB partners at the start itself. (EN), Project name: Enabling Digitalisation In the Construction Sector
Project acronym: EDICS
Call: DIGITAL-2021-EDIH-01
Topic: DIGITAL-2021-EDIH-INITIAL-01
EDICS project main objective is to boost the adoption of advanced digital technologies in the construction in Bulgaria by providing specialized services to SMEs and public sector fitted to their needs and challenges in the green transformation while at the same time acting as a connector to the entire EDIH network and the large pool of digitalization services on a European scale.
(EN) | The synergy lays in the opening the knowledge for the opportunities the services of European digital innovation hubs offer to partners from the whole Danube area. On the other side the EDIHCS will add value and internal expertise of members to the large and multifaceted partnership. (EN)

Total budget/expenditure: EUR 2 801 950.50

Total EU funding (amount): EUR 2 241 560.40

Total EU funding (co-financing rate): 80.00%

Co-financing sources:

Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

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Deliverables:

Guidelines for boosting regional innovation ecosystems cooperation (construction,CE,digitalisation)
Stakeholder analysis report of all territory
RMSG guideline
13 RMSG meetings formed and RMSG 1 held to present the project
Transnational seminar "Harnessing regions’ full potential for transition to a cleaner construction"
Danubian network for circularity in construction
Danubian network for circularity in construction
1 MoU
1 meeting per country for the local network forming
4 thematic online workshops "Needs of the businesses across DANUBE"
Platform assignment
Review of existing platforms
Assessment of the regional needs for a dedicated platform
Investigation on existing clusters
Registration documents - Trans-danubian cluster for circular digitalised constructionDANUBE CiDiCon.
Trans-danubian cluster for circular digitalised construction - DANUBE CiDiCon
13 dissemination events in every country
"Clean construction" trailblazers' Vision camp" in Ljubljana
"Clean construction" trailblazers' hackathon in Ljubljana
A final high-policy meeting
Guideline for the Study
13 Studies for the preparedness of the building industry
2 online collaborative workshops with all partners
Thematic open webinar to present the Study
RMSG 2 in 13 countries
A common methodology for the Report
1 Common report "Disruptive technologies, circular economy & the building industry in Danube area"
2 online workshops
Thematic open webinar will be held on "CE-driven emerging technologies for construction in Danube".
RMSG 3 in 13 countries
A common methodology for the Analysis
Analysis"Cross-sectoral opportunities for CE solutions and innovations in construction and building"
2 online workshops
RMSG 4 in 13 countries
Transnational seminar "Reimagining construction in Danube area through circular economy solutions"
A common methodology for the Review
A review on Danube area regional context policies
Good RIS3 practices from Danube area
2 online workshops
RMSG 5 in 13 countries
Thematic open webinar "Danube policies for a cleaner construction"
"Disruptive technologies, circular economy & the building industry in Danube region" conference
Concepts for a new transnational cluster for digitalisation-led CE innovations for construction,
Report on 3 pilot activities with potentially large environmental impacts for Danube region
Descriptions of 3 pilots of innovative digital CE solutions
3 pilots implemented
2 online workshops
Thematic open webinar "New circular&digital solutions for clean construction".
RMSG 6 meeting
Pilot promotional "round tours"
Regional outlines on pilots
Recommendation on how to implement the Pilots in partner countries
2 online workshops for the Plan for up-scaling digitalization-led CE pilots
Draft for Danube Transnational Strategy
RMSG 7 meeting
2 online workshops
14 Territorial action plans to realise the Strategy
Final Danube Transnational Strategy
An online interregional peer-review workshop “Policy instruments improvements surgery”
A Policies synthesis report
Better policies Annexe
RMSG 8
Thematic workshop "Better policies for triggering CE related benefits in construction in DANUBE"
Final high-policy dissemination event in Hungary for project closure

Contribution to wider strategies and policies:

EUStrategyDanubeRegion Implementing digital innovations for more circularity in construction in Danube countries aligns with the EUSDR objectives in all the 4 pillars and can contribute to achieving the EUSDR targets as follows:
For PA2 - through supporting cutting edge technology developments promoting reducing the depletion of energy and easing the use of renewable energy in buildings, thus increasing the energy efficiency of the region.
For PA5 – through supporting cooperation to answer the danger of vulnerability of water and ecosystems of the region from man-made pressures, related to construction business, focusing on ecosystem-based approaches.
For PA6 – through supporting to halt the deterioration in the status habitats and maintain the soil quality in the Danube Region by diminishing the landfilled construction waste.
For PA7 – through supporting the transfer of knowledge and investment in R&I and the improvement of RIS3 in partner regions and countries.
For PA8 – through a plan and activities to foster cooperation and exchange of knowledge between SMEs, academia, and the public sector in areas of competence related to digital innovations, construction practices and circular economy in the Danube Region.
For PA9 – through the knowledge-related activities and the creation of stakeholders’ groups and cluster and their common platform the project will contribute to improved educational outcomes and relevant skills and competences in the Danube Region, focusing on learning outcomes for employability, entrepreneurship, innovation. It will also contribute to a closer cooperation between educational, training, labour market and research institutions, focusing on different levels - on transnational, regional and bilateral levels.
For PA10 – through commonly deploying documents, tools, structures, and mechanisms for increasing the institutional capacity &cooperation of participating partner countries and involved partners, associated strategic partners and stakeholders.
EuropeanGreenDeal Improving conditions for digital innovations for more circularity in construction aligns with several key goals of the European Green Deal, including decarbonization, resource efficiency, sustainable buildings, environmental protection, and economic growth.
Decarbonization and Climate Action: Digital innovations enable more precise planning, design, and construction processes, leading to energy-efficient buildings and infrastructure. This aligns with the European Green Deal's objective of achieving climate neutrality and reducing carbon footprint.
Resource Efficiency and Circular Economy: Digital technologies support the transition to a circular economy in the construction sector by optimizing resource use and minimizing waste generation. This promotes resource efficiency and contributes to the European Green Deal's goal of promoting a sustainable and circular economy.
Sustainable Buildings and Renovation: Digital innovations aid in the development of sustainable buildings and the renovation of existing structures. By integrating digital tools for energy modeling, retrofit planning, and smart energy management systems, buildings can achieve higher energy performance and improve indoor environmental quality. This aligns with the European Green Deal's focus on energy-efficient buildings and the renovation wave initiative.
Digitalization for Environmental Monitoring: Implementing digital innovations enables better environmental monitoring and management in the construction sector. This allows for proactive measures to mitigate environmental impacts and ensure compliance with environmental standards, supporting the European Green Deal's objectives of preserving biodiversity and protecting ecosystems.
Job Creation and Economic Growth: Embracing digital innovations in the construction sector creates new job opportunities and stimulates economic growth, fostering a green and competitive economy, which is one of the key goals of the European Green Deal.
TerritorialAgenda2030 By supporting the integration of digital innovations into the construction sector, it becomes possible to create more circular and sustainable built environments, thereby contributing to the goals of the Territorial Agenda 2030:
Promoting sustainable land use - digital innovations in construction enable stakeholders to optimize design, reduce waste, enhance project management, and make data-driven decisions that contribute to sustainable land use, mitigate environmental impact, preserve natural resources, and build a more sustainable future.
Improving resource efficiency - digital innovations provide valuable tools and approaches that support circularity in construction by optimising designs, improving material management, facilitating collaboration, enabling data-driven decision-making, and promoting dematerialisation.
Reducing carbon emissions - digital innovations in construction contribute to improving energy efficiency, optimising material use, enhancing supply chain management, enabling better energy monitoring and control, and promoting virtual collaboration and remote work.
Enhancing the resilience of territories - the innovations contribute by optimising resources,reducing waste, enabling adaptive design, facilitating data-driven decision-making, improving communication and collaboration, and supporting the development of smart and connected infrastructure for a more sustainable, flexible, and responsive built environments that can better withstand and adapt to future challenges.
Fostering social and economic cohesion - digital innovations for circularity in construction promote social and economic cohesion by creating job opportunities, involving local communities, supporting SMEs, facilitating affordable housing, enabling knowledge sharing, and contributing to sustainable urban development, fostering inclusive and resilient societies, where individuals and communities thrive socially, economically, and environmentally.
Regenerate response
Other By leveraging digital innovations, the construction sector can make significant strides towards achieving the objectives of the EU Circular Economy Action Plan. These innovations promote resource efficiency, waste prevention and recycling, product lifecycle extension, circular business models, traceability and transparency, as well as collaboration and knowledge sharing. By embracing these digital solutions, the construction industry can contribute to a more sustainable, circular, and resource-efficient economy in the European Union.
Resource efficiency: Through optimized design, material tracking, and waste reduction, digital innovations help achieve the goal of improving resource efficiency in the construction sector.
Waste prevention and recycling: By facilitating the tracking and tracing of materials throughout their lifecycle, digital tools promote the reuse and recycling of construction waste, maximizing the value of materials.
Product lifecycle extension: By enabling the collection and analysis of data on building performance, digital tools help identify opportunities for repair, renovation, and adaptive reuse, prolonging the lifespan of products, reducing the need for new resource-intensive construction.
Circular business models: Platforms and tools support material exchanges, sharing economy models, and resource optimization enable the transition from a linear "take-make-dispose" model to circular practices such as remanufacturing,repurposing,and sharing of resources.
Digital traceability and transparency: Digital tools provide traceability and transparency throughout the construction value chain, contributing to the circular economy objective and fostering responsible and ethical practices.
Collaboration and knowledge sharing: Digital platforms and tools enhance the implementation of circular economy principles, enabling collective learning and progress towards the goals outlined in the EU Circular Economy Action Plan.
Regenerate response

Programme Common Output Indicator:

RCO 116 - Jointly developed solutions, Measurement unit:
RCO 084 - Pilot actions developed jointly and implemented in projects, Measurement unit:
RCO 087 - Organisations cooperating across borders, Measurement unit:
RCO 083 - Strategies and action plans jointly developed, Measurement unit:

Programme Common Result Indicator:

RCR 104 - Solutions taken up or up-scaled by organisations, Measurement unit:
RCR 079 - Joint strategies and action plans taken up by organisations, Measurement unit:

Programme Result Indicator:

ISI - Organisations with increased institutional capacity due to their participation in cooperation activities across the borders, Measurement unit: No. of organisations

Project part of European Union Macro-Regional or Sea Basin Strategy: EUSDR

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Financing programme

2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-B Danube

Last month that data in keep.eu was retrieved from the Programme's website or received from the Programme

2025-12-17

No. of projects in keep.eu / Total no. of projects (% of projects in keep.eu)

138 / 138 (100%)

No. of project partnerships in keep.eu / Total no. of project partnerships (% of project partnerships in keep.eu)

1 413 / 1 413 (100%)

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Boosting the uptake of emerging technologies in circular economy implementation in construction and buildings industry in Danube region to sustainably harness the tween transition for greener future

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Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

Information regarding the data in keep.eu on the programme financing this project

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