The DIH Northeast consortium moved one step closer to becoming a European Digital Innovation Hub in November. It was created two years ago to help small and medium-sized enterprises and public administration organisations in the region keep up with the times, and digitise. The Regional Development Agency (ARR) is the leader of the consortium, with universities, research centres, and other experts on the issues at hand from the Liberec and Hradec Králové regions since coming on board.
“The Regional Development Agency submitted a project application to the European Commission in November. The advantage of joining the EDIH network of digital hubs, which we want to do, is the connections we would have with partner hubs across Europe. For companies in the region, authorities, or organisations receiving contributions from public funds, this means access to a huge amount of digital knowledge and skills,” says Jiří Ulvr, Councillor for Economic and Regional Development, European Projects, Planning, and Rural Development.
DIH Northeast specialises in a wide range of pre-investment technology testing services, ranging from digital auditing, specific IoT technologies, augmented reality, machine vision, robotics and much more to networking, awareness-raising, education, and providing advice on subsidies in support of modern trends. Consortium representatives view possible success in Europe as a major opportunity for the wider region as a whole. If successfully reaching the finish line, the Liberec and Hradec Králové DIH will function as a gateway to the European network of digital hubs and will itself have the chance to offer its expertise to clients all over Europe.
“A European Digital Hub affords companies and public administration easier access to the digitisation of processes in the shape of more affordable services, access to testing facilities, top experts, and key knowledge,” adds Jiří Ulvr. The consortium of partners from the Liberec and Hradec Králové regions already provides the opportunity to design and test digital innovative technologies that will increase efficiency and reduce running costs. As a member of the European network, it will be able to increase its capacity and enable clients to use its services free of charge or at a discounted price.
By investing in the digital hub network, the European Commission is supporting the growth of European capacities in the areas of High Performance Computing (HPC), Artificial Intelligence (AI), Cyber Security (CYBER), and advanced digital skills and is accelerating the best use of these technologies to increase the competitiveness of the old continent in the coming digital era.