Shaping the Future of AI-Driven Digital Transformation with SMEs and PSOs in South-East Romania, in Sync with the European AI Ecosystem

forthcoming

Building on the strong foundations and lessons learned during CiTyInnoHub 1.0, the initial consortium of Ovidius University of Constanța, ICEBERG+, EY Romania, the National Patronage of Small and Medium Enterprises, the Constanța Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Navigation and Agriculture and the Constanța Metropolitan Zone Intercommunity Development Association has been extended with the Romanian National Institute for Research & Development in Informatics. Serving all 6 counties of South-East Romania, CiTyInnoHub 2.0 will support 200 beneficiaries across Tourism, Education, Smart Cities, eHealth, the Naval Industry, Agriculture & Biotech and Cultural & Creative Industries in their digital transformation journey. Our objectives are to accelerate uptake of AI, HPC and cybersecurity, raise trustworthy AI awareness, enable local test-before-invest via EU infrastructures and integrate South-East Romania into the pan-European EDIH network. Progress will be measured by different KPIs as: engaging at least 100 SMEs and 100 PSOs; hosting 15 community networking events; signing 10 MoUs with other EDIHs and EU innovation actors; introducing 70 beneficiaries to test-before-invest facilities; placing 20 beneficiaries in advanced AI/HPC pilots; upskilling 1000 participants in AI and digital skills; and ensuring at least 60 beneficiaries improve their Digital Maturity Assessment scores by project end. The workplan guides beneficiaries from ecosystem engagement (community building, hackathons, EDIH events) through AI/HPC pilot deployment in local labs, funding readiness (trainings and investor matchmaking) and comprehensive upskilling (eLearning, webinars, workshops, bootcamp, leadership course, mentoring). By reinforcing our hub with cutting-edge AI infrastructure, CiTyInnoHub 2.0 will drive digital transformation, elevate SE Romania’s digital maturity and contribute directly to EU Digital Decade targets, fostering a more resilient, competitive and innovative regional economy.