FIT EDIH
Futures of Innovation Technologies European Digital Innovation Hub (FIT EDIH) for Centru Region
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.
Futures of Innovation Technologies European Digital Innovation Hub (FIT EDIH) is the official digital innovation hub for the Centru Region, coordinated by Iceberg+.
FIT EDIH supports SMEs and local public administrations in their digital transformation journeys through four essential services: test before invest, ecosystem building, skills development, and funding support.
With 12 key partners and 3 strategic digital trajectories—Smart City, Manufacturing, and eHealth—FIT EDIH builds customized pathways for regional innovation.
Regional Impact
Operating in all counties of the Centru Region, FIT EDIH has conducted over 1000 interactions with potential beneficiaries and signed digital transformation contracts with both public and private organizations.
Services include digital maturity assessments, hands-on technology demonstrations, and access to training and funding platforms. Iceberg+ facilitates coordination, service delivery, and European collaboration to boost local competitiveness.
Market Context
SMEs and public institutions in the Centru Region face challenges related to low digital maturity and limited access to advanced technologies.
FIT EDIH addresses these gaps by integrating regional needs mapping with expert technology matchmaking, simulation-based demos, and strategic planning aligned with national and EU digital policy frameworks.
Beneficiary
- 141 SMEs and APLs have signed service contracts
- Primăria Brașov, Primăria Alba Iulia, GETVIZUAL Media, DFM CAD Studio
Stakeholder Network
FIT EDIH is a consortium of 12 organizations, including:
- Iceberg+ (Coordinator)
- AICAR, AIDA, ALT Brașov, AMB, ASIMCOV, CNIPMMR, NTT Data, ROPARDO, Smart Factory Romania, ULBS, UMFST
It is also connected to national and European networks like RO-DIH, EEN, Horizon Europe, and Digital Europe Programme.
The
Results
2023–2025 Highlights
interviews
focus group responses
funding opportunities listed
strategic demo events organized annually
partnerships with national and international EDIHS and relevant stakehokders
new e-learning modules
digital needs questionnaires
digital maturity audits
Advanced Digital Transformation workshops in progress
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.