Project name: Boosting Smart Specialization and Encouraging Spin-offs in IT across Danube Region - SpinIT
Programme: Interreg Danube Region Programme - transnational funding programme, co-funded by the European Union
Project Budget: 2.419.000 €
Interreg Funds: 1.935.199,99 €
Project Duration: 01.01.2024. - 30.06.2026.
Bridging Gaps in Territorial Innovations in the Danube Region
The SpinIT project addresses significant territorial disparities within the Danube Region, particularly in innovation capacity, technological development, and the isolation of ecosystems in Eastern and Southeastern Europe. The project's impact focuses on three key areas: supporting innovation intermediaries, engaging a wide range of stakeholders, and promoting ecosystem connections aligned with smart specialization strategies (S3) through targeted communication and event organization.
Project Objectives, Strategic Actions, and Key Results
The project aims to bridge the innovation gap in the Danube Region by connecting less developed hubs with advanced ones, fostering interconnectivity, and building resilient innovation networks. It emphasizes linking academia, businesses, policymakers, and SMEs with startups while promoting collaboration through networking, peer learning, and local public-private partnerships. The core results focus on cross-border cooperation among 30 organizations, the development of local action plans, and pilot projects in smart specialization and IT. These pilot projects have been validated and adapted across 10 locations in 8 countries to promote digitalization and sustainable development.
Innovative Focus and Collaborative Synergies
SpinIT's unique focus on three clusters—IT, Industry 4.0, and IT cross-sector collaboration—targets underdeveloped regions with high impact potential. The project leverages previous project results (e.g., DIH4CPS, DANUBEPeerChains) and collaborates with ongoing initiatives to maximize knowledge exchange through networks like ARISE while avoiding duplication. With a strong emphasis on financial resilience, institutional support, and policy engagement, SpinIT aims to ensure the sustainability and transferability of its results, creating a lasting impact on regional innovation ecosystems.
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