Cross-border Digital Innovation Hub

Programme 2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-A NEXT Romania - Rep.Moldova

Date of latest update: 2025-10-02

Description

Description (EN):

Common challenge: Low digital literacy skills for North East Romania & Moldova Republic population and low digitalisation level for SMEs in NE & Moldova. The programme area faces a significant challenge in bridging the digital skills gap that affects both the North East Romania and Moldova Republic. This gap has a direct impact on the digital maturity of companies, public services, and overall economic competitiveness and innovation performance in the regions. The underlying causes include poor access to education and training, varying levels of digital infrastructure, and the low economic development of the regions. Problem causes: Lack of cross-border structures that support skill & competency development; lack of initiatives aligned to EU best practices in terms of digital maturity assessments, impact measurement and correlation of funding & business support initiatives to real needs. Overall Objective: The primary aim of the xDIH project is to establish a cross-border cooperation structure based on the Digital Innovation Hubs concept. This structure will significantly improve equal access to inclusive and quality digital education, fostering a more digitally literate population and higher digitalization levels among SMEs in NE Romania and Moldova. Specific Objectives (SO) and Actions needed: Development of a Shared Cross-border Educational Infrastructure Focused on Digital Skills and Competences (SO1): - Establish physical and digital learning environments conducive to collaborative education and innovation. - Equip these spaces with the necessary technological tools and resources to support digital learning and experimentation. Development and Implementation of a Competency Curriculum Adapted to the Needs of Both Regions (SO2): - Conduct needs assessments to tailor the curriculum to the specific requirements of SMEs and future employees in the digital domain. - Design and develop the curriculum, incorporating flexible learning methods, including online and in-person training. - Implement pilot programs to test and refine the curriculum. Development and Implementation of a Cross-border Digital Innovation Hub Structure (SO3): - Establish governance and operational framework for the DIH and a sustainable business model, involving stakeholders from both regions. - Launch initiatives that support digital transformation in SMEs, including workshops, mentorship programs, and access to digital tools and resources. Expected Change: The project is expected to create a transformative change by developing a shared cross-border educational infrastructure that focuses on enhancing digital skills and competences. It addresses the digital skills gap by developing deep tech skills curricula in both partner universities and its consequences on the digital maturity of regional entities, thereby improving the economic competitiveness and innovation performance of the involved regions. Results and their sustainability - Enhanced Digital Literacy and Competence: The project aims to significantly reduce the digital skills gap in NERO and MD. - Improved Access to Digital Education and Innovation: By creating a shared educational infrastructure and a competency curriculum, the project will provide widespread access to quality digital education and innovative learning methodologies. - Cross-border Collaboration: The establishment of a cross-border DIH will foster long-term partnerships and collaborations across borders, promoting continuous learning and adaptation to digital advancements. The sustainability of the results will be ensured by the development of institutional partnerships, the business model for the Digital Innovation Hub, continuous curriculum update and adaptation, and community and stakeholder engagement. Main Outputs: - Cross-border Educational Infrastructure - Digital Competency Curriculum - Digital Innovation Hub Structure Beneficiaries of these outputs include students, SME employees, educational institutions, and businesses in North East Romania and Moldova, all of whom will gain from improved digital literacy and access to innovative learning resources. Approach and Inter-regional Need The project adopts a collaborative, cross-border approach to leverage diverse expertise, resources, and perspectives from both regions. By working together, the regions can share best practices, develop synergies in educational content and delivery, and create a more unified and competitive economic area. Novelty/Originality What sets the xDIH project apart is its focus on creating a tangible, cross-border infrastructure for digital innovation and education. Its emphasis on a competency curriculum adapted to the specific needs of the regions, coupled with the implementation of a Digital Innovation Hub structure, represents a novel approach to tackling the digital divide and fostering regional development in a holistic and sustainable manner.

Expected Achievements (EN):

The main objective of the project is to develop a shared cross-border educational infrastructure focused on enhancing the digital skills and competences in the regions and consisting in: - physical spaces for two Digital Competences Centers, endowed with state of the art facilities for digital education; - a collaborative framework based on the DIH concept for the development of educational programs targeting the digital competences of students, teachers and industry professionals in the two regions; - a shared digital learning platform and agile curricula, aligned with the diverse educational needs of the target groups and piloted during the project; - a cross-border shared pool of experts in digital technologies, education, business, etc. Enhance the collaboration between the technical universities and the DIHs from the two regions to bring in the right expertise and insights required to create a significant positive impact on reducing the digital skills gap in the regions.

Project outputs: Educational facilities (EN)
Joint strategy for the development of digital competences and supporting the digital transformation across borders(EN)
Collaborative solutions for reducing the digital skills gap across borders(EN)

Thematic information

ICT and digital society Education and training SME and entrepreneurship

Priority: (VI-A_Ro-Mo_2) Social Development across Borders

Priority specific objective: RSO4.2. Improving equal access to inclusive and quality services in education, training and lifelong learning through developing accessible infrastructure, including by fostering resilience for distance and on-line education and training

Priority policy objective (Interreg specific objective): PO4 A more social and inclusive Europe implementing the European Pillar of Social Rights

Type of intervention: 124 Infrastructure for vocational education and training and adult learning

Partners (4)

Lead Partner: Universitatea Tehnică "Gheorghe Asachi" din Iaşi

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 999853303

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 4701606 | 4701606

Department: Vice-Rectorate for IT&C

Address: Bd. Prof. Dimitrie Mangeron, 700050 Iasi, Romania

Department address: Bd. Dimitrie Mangeron, 700050 Iasi, Romania

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Higher education and research organisations

Website: http://www.tuiasi.ro

Total budget: EUR 377 346.14

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 339 611.52

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 90.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 37 734.62

Asociația pentru Dezvoltarea Comunicațiilor Electronice și Tehnologiilor Inovaționale

Name: Asociația pentru Dezvoltarea Comunicațiilor Electronice și Tehnologiilor Inovaționale

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 879779809

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 1019620009200

Address: Ștefan cel Mare, 3100 Bălți, Moldova

Legal status: private

Organisation type: Interest groups including NGOs

Website: https://aceti.md/

Total budget: EUR 80 457.60

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 72 411.84

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 90.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 8 045.76

Asociatia Digital Innovation Zone - Zona de Inovare Digitala

Name: Asociatia Digital Innovation Zone - Zona de Inovare Digitala

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 887761946

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 43866222 | X22/1144791/2021 | Registration Number (EN)

Address: Verde, 700257 Iasi, Romania

Legal status: private

Organisation type: Interest groups including NGOs

Website: https://www.digital-innovation.zone

Total budget: EUR 85 190.40

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 76 671.36

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 90.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 8 519.04

Universitatea Tehnică din Moldova

Name: Universitatea Tehnică din Moldova

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 997958020

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 1007600001506

Address: Stefan cel Mare si Sfint, MD-2004 Chisinau, Moldova

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Higher education and research organisations

Website: http://www.utm.md

Total budget: EUR 302 307.60

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 272 076.84

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 90.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 30 230.76

Partners map

Partners and Projects info

Association for the Development of Electronic Communications and Innovative Technologies

Cross-border Digital Innovation Hub

Partners and Projects info

Digital Innovation Zone NGO

Cross-border Digital Innovation Hub

Partners and Projects info

Technical University of Moldova

Cross-border Digital Innovation Hub

Partners and Projects info

"Gheorghe Asachi" Technical University of Iasi

Cross-border Digital Innovation Hub

Lead partner

Project partner

Summary

Project name (EN): Cross-border Digital Innovation Hub

Project acronym: xDIH

Project ID: ROMD00134

Project start date: 2025-08-02

Project end date: 2027-08-01

Project status: ongoing

Relevant linked projects:

EDIH DIZ - DIGITAL INNOVATION ZONE EDIH – MANUFACTURING & SMART HEALTH for better business, life and health in the North East Romania region (EDIH) Project (EN) | The main objective of the project is to ensure a smart, sustainable and coherent digital transformation in the North-Eastern region of Romania by delivering a full set of EDIH Digital Innovation Zone [DIZ] services developed under the project: test before invest, access to finance, digital skills and access to the european ecosystem. This will complement the awareness activities among the target groups by joint activities. We can make use of the contacts and the network developed under the EDIH-DIZ project to facilitate the collaboration with third parties for the uptaken and upscaling of the curricula developed under xDIH project.
On the other hand, the curricula developed under xDIH project will be uptaken within the EDIH-DIZ curricula and the infrastructure developed under xDIH project will be used to deliver events and training programs, workshops under the EDIH-DIZ project by DIZ and its partners from the network.
(EN), DT4SME (funded by the German government through GIZ) (EN) | The main objective of the project DT4SME is to strengthen the competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises in Eastern Partnership countries (Moldova, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Armenia and Ukraine) taking
into account the digital transformation.
Due to this project DIH of Moldova was present at the first annual meeting of the network of European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIH), EDIH Network Summit 2023, where we established collaborative relationships with representatives of several EDIHs from Romania, Poland, Germany, Portugal, but also with colleagues from Ukraine and Georgia. We can make use of the contacts and the developed network.
As part of the project from the DIH of Moldova, we proposed the development and piloting of an online questionnaire for private entities on the subjects of the necessary consulting services regarding the improvement of the digital processes of SMEs and the improvement of the digital skills of employees, which will contribute to the development and piloting of curricula proposed within the xDIH project.
(EN)

Total budget/expenditure: EUR 845 301.74

Total EU funding (amount): EUR 760 771.56

Total EU funding (co-financing rate): 90.00%

Co-financing sources:

Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

(bullets are inserted automatically and may be incorrectly placed)

Infrastructure investments:

I1.2 - Digital competence center of TUM & DIH of Moldova - EUR 135 162.00 - country: Moldova (MD), town: Chisinau, street: str. Mircești, 58, postal_code: MD-2049, Chișinău municipality (MD10), Chișinău municipality (MD100)
I1.1 - Digital competence center of TUIASI & DIZ - EUR 125 600.00 - country: România (RO), town: Iasi, street: Bd. Dimitrie Mangeron, 69, Nord-Est (RO21), Iaşi (RO213)

Deliverables:

Properly documented, monitored and managed project
Communication Strategy & Plan
Database with prospects
2 Public opening events
2 Public closing events
Promotional materials and tools
Digital Competences Center of TUIASI & DIZ
Digital Competences Center of TUM & ACETI
Internal workshops report
Report on training activities for capacity building
Curriculum of the educational programs for digital competences (2 programs, 1 in each country)
Course materials for the educational programs for digital competences
Methodological guides for the developed educational programs (2 programs, 1 in each country)
Placement of courses on online platforms (2 programs, 1 in each country)
Pilot evaluation report
Curriculum adaptation report

Contribution to wider strategies and policies:

EUStrategyDanubeRegion PA 9 - People & Skills: xDIH directly supports the targets of enhancing skills and competences to improve employability and competitiveness in the Danube region. By developing and implementing a cross-border educational infrastructure and competency curriculum focused on digital skills, xDIH aims to bridge the digital skills gap. This initiative aligns with the objective to improve access to education and training, making the workforce better equipped for the demands of the knowledge-based economy and contributing to the region's social and economic development.
PA 8 - Competitiveness of Enterprises: The project's focus on supporting SMEs through digital transformation initiatives complements the goals to enhance the competitiveness of enterprises in the Danube region. By developing a digital maturity assessment tool and providing access to digital innovation resources, xDIH helps SMEs integrate digital technologies, fostering innovation and enhancing their competitive edge in the global market. This approach supports PA 8's priority of promoting entrepreneurship and strengthening the growth potential of the region's enterprises.
PA 7 - Knowledge Society: xDIH's efforts to establish a cross-border DIH structure and promote the uptake of digital education and innovation practices contribute to building a Knowledge Society. The project enhances the region's capacity for research, development, and innovation, aligning with PA 7's objectives to support information and communication technologies' adoption and promote societal innovations. By facilitating access to knowledge and fostering collaborations between academia, industry, and government, xDIH enhances the region's innovation ecosystem, contributing to the development of a sustainable knowledge society.
In summary, by aligning its objectives and actions with the priorities PA7,8 and 9, xDIH plays a pivotal role in advancing the strategic goals of the Danube region.
Other Improving education and skills is a key part of the overall vision for digital transformation in Europe [1]. By 2030, the European Commission wants to reach 80% of EU adults with at least basic digital skills and 20 million ICT specialists being employed across the EU. In support of this ambition, action points 6 and 7 of the European Skills Agenda [2] are dedicated to improve all skills relevant to green and digital transitions and to increase the number of graduates in IT.
With the proposed project, the partners will build and provide a coherent and comprehensive digital skills training platform for both formal and informal education. The platform will be available for both students engaged in higher education as well as for professionals in the private sector, for companies and public bodies. Thus, the proposed project contributes to better equipping our future graduates for the emerging jobs,
as well as to the EU’s digital up- and reskilling endeavors required to achieve the envisioned digital transformation of businesses: Tech up-take (75% of EU companies using Cloud, AI, or Big Data) and Late adopters (more than 90% of SMEs reach at least a basic level of digital intensity).
Addressing the digital skill gap in the project regions by gathering multiple actors (education providers, companies, NGOs, public administration) under the umbrella of a cross-border Digital Innovation Hub is also perfectly in line with the mission and modus operandi of the Digital Skills and Jobs Coalition [3].
[1] https://commission.europa.eu/strategy-and-policy/priorities-2019-2024/europe-fit-digital-age/europes-digital-decade-digital-targets-2030_en
[2] https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_20_1196
[3] https://digital-skills-jobs.europa.eu/en/about/digital-skills-and-jobs-coalition
Other The investment contributes to the realisation of the Digital Transformation Strategy of the Republic of Moldova for the years 2023-2030, which assumes that the Republic of Moldova will become an innovative and inclusive digital society with digital skills, with an advanced digital infrastructure, a pro-digital government and a business community that make the most of digital opportunities.
https://mded.gov.md/transparenta/64373-2/

Programme Common Output Indicator:

RCO 116 - Jointly developed solutions, Measurement unit:
RCO 087 - Organisations cooperating across borders, Measurement unit:
RCO 067 - Classroom capacity of new or modernised education facilities, Measurement unit:

Programme Common Result Indicator:

RCR 084 - Organisations cooperating across borders after project completion, Measurement unit:
RCR 104 - Solutions taken up or up-scaled by organisations, Measurement unit:
RCR 071 - Annual users of new or modernised education facilities, Measurement unit:

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

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

Financing programme

2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-A NEXT Romania - Rep.Moldova

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

2025-10-02

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

83 / 83 (100%)

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

214 / 214 (100%)

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Cross-border Digital Innovation Hub

Description

Thematic information

Partners (4)

Partners map

Summary

Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

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

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