GIZ Green and Digital Economic Development in Algeria
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.
The project involves the establishment of two Digital Innovation Hubs (DIHs) in Algeria—one with a national focus and the other with a regional focus—aimed at driving the digital and green transformation of SMEs.
These hubs provide four key services: prototyping, skills development and training, investment support, and the creation of an innovation ecosystem.
The technologies leveraged include AI, IoT, big data, and automation. The strategy includes ecosystem mapping, knowledge transfer, and technical assistance for DIHs and ecosystem actors.
Regional Impact
The impact is centered on the manufacturing and green energy sectors, with the goal of enhancing digitalization, productivity, competitiveness, and sustainability for SMEs.
The project supports the creation of a favorable environment for DIHs and promotes collaboration between local and international stakeholders. The national DIH will play a strategic role, while the regional DIH will address the specific needs of a particular economic zone.
Market Context
Algeria is undergoing a rapid digital transformation, with a growing innovation ecosystem. SMEs and startups in key sectors such as manufacturing and green energy face challenges in adopting digital technologies but also have significant opportunities for growth. Increasing productivity, improving sustainability, and gaining access to advanced digital solutions are essential for their global competitiveness.
Through the creation of Digital Innovation Hubs (DIHs), Algeria aims to accelerate digital and green transformation, providing support to SMEs with emerging technologies such as AI, IoT, and big data.
Beneficiary
- The primary beneficiaries are Algerian SMEs and startups in the targeted sectors, which will receive direct support from the DIHs.
- Additional beneficiaries include the partners establishing the DIHs, ministries, government agencies, and research and innovation organizations.
- The project also targets STEM students, technology hubs, and research institutes.
Stakeholder Network
The stakeholder network includes
- industry (startups, incubators, business associations)
- government authorities (MECSME, MPT, ANADE)
- academia (engineering schools and research institutions)
- international organizations (GIZ, EU, World Bank)
- regional/European DIHs.
The project adopts the Quadruple Helix innovation model to foster collaboration among these entities.
Results
(Short Timeline Yearly)
Year 1
Mapping the ecosystem, identifying relevant stakeholders, organizing a launch event, and opening calls for DIH consortium selection.
Year 2
Selecting and forming DIH consortia, organizing bootcamps, establishing partnerships, and officially launching the two DIHs.
Year 3
Providing operational support for DIHs, assisting 75 SMEs, organizing training programs, and ensuring the sustainable development of DIHs through international partnerships.
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For startups, SMEs, academia, authorities.
For Bold ones.