CiTyInnoHub
Digital Transformation for Southeast Romania
Regional Impact
The project targets three transition regions: Western Macedonia (Greece), Centru (Romania), and Southeastern Bulgaria. These areas face the dual challenge of economic restructuring and fossil fuel phase-out.
COALition strengthens local ecosystems, builds capacity, and helps secure funding, laying the foundation for sustainable growth and job creation in emerging sectors like renewables, hydrogen, and energy efficiency.
Market Context
Coal regions across Europe are under pressure to phase out fossil fuels while preserving economic stability.
Despite their challenges, they also present major opportunities — with estimates of up to 314,000 jobs created through clean energy investments by 2030.
EU policies like the Green Deal, Just Transition Fund, and Hydrogen Strategy support this shift, yet local coordination, strategic planning, and skills development remain key barriers.
Beneficiary
Primary beneficiaries include workers in coal-related industries, regional and local authorities, innovation ecosystem stakeholders, academic institutions, and SMEs in the energy and tech sectors.
Broader beneficiaries include residents of transition regions, future investors, and the extended EU innovation community focused on clean energy and climate neutrality.
Stakeholder Network
COALition is implemented by a diverse consortium of partners from Greece, Romania, and Bulgaria, including public institutions, universities, regional agencies, private companies, and NGOs.
Key members include CERTH (leader), Iceberg Plus, UMFST Târgu Mureș, Sofia University, Mureș County Council, Stara Zagora REDA, and many more.
CiTyInnoHub is the European Digital Innovation Hub (EDIH) supporting the digital transformation of small and medium-sized enterprises and public sector organizations in Southeast Romania.
Led by Ovidius University of Constanța and powered by a multidisciplinary consortium—including Iceberg+, EY, CCINA, PNFAIMM, and ZMC—CiTyInnoHub delivers integrated services in digitalization, innovation, and funding access.
It stands out by focusing on strategic sectors such as tourism, agriculture and biotechnology, maritime industries, and public services.
Regional Impact
CiTyInnoHub connects local businesses, public institutions, universities, and research centers to co-create solutions that drive competitiveness and improve quality of life across the region.
So far, 28 small and medium-sized enterprises and 51 public sector organizations have benefited from digital maturity assessments, gaining clarity and direction for their digital journey.
Market Context
Southeast Romania is facing moderate levels of digital readiness across both private and public sectors.
CiTyInnoHub addresses this challenge by offering access to expertise, training, and advanced digital tools—from cybersecurity to AI—ensuring a smoother transition to the digital economy.
Beneficiary
We support small and medium-sized enterprises, startups, municipalities, county councils, healthcare institutions, and other public organizations in sectors such as tourism, eHealth, IT&C, and urban services.
Stakeholder Network
- Ovidius University of Constanța (Coordinator)
- Iceberg+
- EY Romania
- Constanța Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Shipping and Agriculture (CCINA)
- PNFAIMM
- ZMC
+ strong links to Enterprise Europe Network, EIT Knowledge and Innovation Communities, and EDIH corridors across Europe.
CiTyInno Services
Test Before Invest
- Assessing digital maturity to identify gaps and opportunities
- Designing custom digital transformation plans
- Providing access to testing environments with a focus on cybersecurity
Skills and Training
- Short-term training programs tailored to regional needs
- Examples include free digital marketing workshops for the HoReCa sector
Access to Finance
- Guidance for securing regional and national funding
- Support in writing grant applications, including PNRR Education initiatives
Ecosystem Building
- Connecting innovators, researchers, and decision-makers
- Hosting matchmaking events and strategic networking sessions
Key Technologies
Cybersecurity
Cloud Services
Blockchain & Distributed Ledger (DLT)
Process Automation
Big Data & Artificial Intelligence
Virtual, Augmented, and Extended Reality (VR, AR, XR)
Internet Applications and Services
The
Timeline
2017
CiTyInnoHub is founded by Ovidius University of Constanța to support the digitalization of SMEs and public sector organizations
2019
The hub consolidates a strong partnership combining academic, public, and private expertise
2020
Selected by the Romanian Authority for Digitalization (ADR) for the European Digital Innovation Hub competition
2022
Competes at European level; grant agreement signed in September
2023
Operational launch with focus areas including Tourism 4.0, Smart Cities, eHealth, and IT&C
Check out the work
OUT
SMART THE MARKET
THINK THE STRATEGY
DO THE STATUS QUO
SMART THE MARKET
For startups, SMEs, academia, authorities.
For Bold ones.