Iceberg in DIZ
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.
As a key partner in the Digital Innovation Zone (DIZ) – the first European Digital Innovation Hub (EDIH) in the North-East Region of Romania – Iceberg brings strategic and financial expertise to support digital transformation for SMEs and public institutions.
Within the DIZ consortium, Iceberg leads two critical areas:
- Visioning Workshops (as part of WP2 – Test Before Invest): tailored sessions where SMEs explore strategic growth paths, using tools like Hedgehog Concept, North Star, TRL mapping, and Go-to-Market strategy.
- Access to Finance (WP4): developing a solid funding roadmap for digital innovation, including training, matchmaking, and proposal support for regional actors.
DIZ is part of the European network of Digital Innovation Hubs, a European Commission initiative supporting regions in advancing digital transformation through access to technology, testing, training, and funding.
Regional Impact
Through DIZ, Iceberg directly contributes to the regional digitalization strategy by supporting both the private and public sectors with the tools and knowledge required to adopt advanced technologies.
- Over €7 million in funding opportunities unlocked for SMEs and institutions
- Support for 4 hospitals in Iași County to access over €4 million for digital transformation through PNRR
- Regular funding workshops ("Funding Wednesdays") that reach dozens of organizations across the region
- Strategic input for scaling regional innovation in health, manufacturing, and education
Market Context
Romania's North-East region is marked by a high concentration of IT professionals, but limited innovation adoption among local SMEs. While digital literacy is rising, many organizations still lack the internal capabilities to define and implement a clear digital strategy.
Iceberg’s role in DIZ fills this gap by offering structured, practical interventions that help SMEs and public institutions navigate complex funding landscapes, define product-market fit, and build sustainable business models aligned with TRL and EU standards.
Beneficiary
- SMEs in manufacturing, health tech, and digital services
- Public hospitals and healthcare institutions
- Municipalities and regional authorities
- Universities and R&D centers seeking innovation funding
- NGOs involved in educational and digital inclusion initiatives
Stakeholder Network
Iceberg collaborates with a trusted regional consortium coordinated by the Gheorghe Asachi Technical University of Iași (TUIASI) and including:
- North-East Regional Development Agency (ADR NE)
- IMAGO-MOL Cluster – advanced medical imaging and health innovation
- TUIASI – technical infrastructure, AI expertise, prototyping
- ONG DIZ – support for public sector and healthcare beneficiaries
- European-level partners through EIT Manufacturing and EIT Urban Mobility
Results
(Short Timeline Yearly)
2022
DIZ launch and Iceberg onboarding
Development of Visioning Workshop methodology
Initial outreach to beneficiaries
2023
20+ SMEs and public entities supported in digital strategy and funding readiness
€2.6M in applications prepared
First 4 hospitals secured €4M via PNRR
7 “Funding Wednesdays” workshops delivered
2024
Expansion to Horizon Europe and Vanguard Initiative opportunities
Matchmaking with other EDIHs in Romania and EU
Focus on TRL progression and investment readiness for advanced tech SMEs
2025
Consolidation of best practices and regional scale-up
Ongoing support for sustainability and post-project financing readiness
Final reporting and cross-regional knowledge exchange
Timeline
Project duration: October 2022 – December 2025
Lead on this component: Iceberg+
Key contacts: [to be added]
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