EIT Manufacturing Romania Representative
EIT Manufacturing RIS HUB Romania, operated by Iceberg+ since 2020, supports the development of the manufacturing ecosystem through innovation, education, and collaboration programmes connecting industry, startups, and academia.
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.
Starting in 2025, we will operate under the name EIT Manufacturing Romania Representative.
We act as a catalyst for digital and sustainable transformation, facilitating access to resources, mentorship, and funding for entrepreneurs and SMEs. We help startups and SMEs secure funding and connect them with the European innovation ecosystem in manufacturing.
In 2024, our hub was recognized as the Best EIT RIS Hub, selected from over 90 EIT hubs across Europe.
Regional Impact
The hub actively contributes to the modernization of Romania’s manufacturing sector by supporting digitalization, energy efficiency, and the adoption of green technologies.
Through local initiatives and international collaborations, we generate a real impact on the ecosystem, from skills development to the implementation of innovative solutions.
Market Context
The European manufacturing industry is undergoing a crucial transition toward sustainability and digitalization. In Romania, companies face challenges related to automation, energy efficiency, and emission reduction.
EIT Manufacturing Romania Representative facilitates this transition through programs that accelerate innovation adoption and enhance competitiveness.
Beneficiary
- Startups and SMEs with innovative solutions for manufacturing
- Research centers and universities interested in technology transfer
- Industrial companies looking to implement sustainable and digital technologies
- Public and private organizations involved in developing the manufacturing ecosystem
Stakeholder Network
We collaborate with universities, research institutes, accelerators, corporations, and clusters to build a strong innovation ecosystem.
Our partnerships provide access to resources, investments, and expert networks for the sustainable development of the industry.
Results
2020
Iceberg Plus became the EIT Manufacturing RIS HUB in Romania
2022
First events and mentorship programmes (1st edition of the pre-acceleration programme)
2023
Implementation of acceleration initiatives (2nd edition of the annual pre-acceleration programme) and expansion of the partner network
2024
3rd edition of the pre-acceleration programme and integration of new industry verticals
Check out the work
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SMART THE MARKET
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SMART THE MARKET
For startups, SMEs, academia, authorities.
For Bold ones.