As a result of collective hard work and to our great delight, we are happy to announce that eight projects from Priority Area 8 have been selected for funding through the third call of the SMF and start their work now. The projects are funded through Seed Money Facility Call (SMF) of the Danube Region Programme. The projects will be funded through for a maximum of 12 months.
The SMF is a tool for kick-starting the development of strategic projects and largescale initiatives across the Danube region.
Here is an overview about the projects:
Among them, three projects have lead partners from Slovenia (IN4SeRMat, ForeDanu, RuBio), two from Romania (PV Eol, DanubIAClusters) , two from Slovakia (EDIGI Bridge, DV Eye) and one from Hungary (HUMANoid).
Together, all eight selected projects add up to a total funding amount of 572,780€. Each project will receive 80% of the awarded budget through the SMF. All projects underwent a tough two-step-assessment by PA 8 PAC Team and Joint Secretariat.
The projects in detail:
IN4SeRMat
IN4SeRMat aims to establish and sustainably operate a hub of excellence that intercon-nects three innovation ecosystems from Slovenia, Romania and Bulgaria, which will facilitate a sustainable and circular economy of raw materials in the Danube region. The project addresses the challenge and the importance of the secondary material economy. So far, the research and innovation ecosystems on this field are lagging behind.
Lead Partner:
Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia Slovenija (SI)
Project Partners:
CCIS LP Inštitut za kovinske materiale in tehnologije EIT Manufacturing East GmbH
National Research and Development Institute for Non-Ferrous and Rare Metals România (RO) IMNR PP Agentia Pentru Dezvoltare Regionala Bucuresti Ilfov
Applied Research and Communications Fund Bulgaria (BG) ARC Fund PP Sofia Universi-ty “St. Kliment Ohridski”
Steinbeis 2i GmbH Deutschland (DE) SEZ
PV EoL
PV EoL aims to to eliminate the knowledge gap caused by the lack of highly qualified professionals in research and development of the circular economy applied to end-of-life photovoltaic panels. The result of the project will be the improvement of educational plans and research policies.
Lead Partner:
Romanian Electrotechnical Committee România (RO) CER
Project Partners:
University of Ruse Angel Kanchev Bulgaria (BG) URAK
Slovak University of Agriculture In Nitra Slovensko (SK) SUA
Corvinus University of Budapest Magyarország (HU) CORVINUS
ForeDanube
The project will tackle the low awareness about foresight in the Danube region and broad-er society. It aims to foster change through building capacities of strategic planning by foresight activities in a way that they develop and provide education for the future needed profiles for strategic planners in or for enterprises, but also generally in all future-oriented branches.
Lead Partner:
University of Maribor Slovenija (SI) UM
Project Partners:
Faculty of Technical Sciences University of Novi Sad Serbia (RS) FTS
Steinbeis 2i GmbH Deutschland (DE) SEZ
RuBIO
The RuBIO initiative will explore the potential for adopting bio-based solutions (such as within the sectors of biotechnology and biomanufacturing) among entrepreneurs (start-ups, SMEs and larger companies) in the Danube Region.
Lead Partner:
Rudolfovo – Science and Technology Centre Novo mesto Slovenija (SI) RUDOLFOVO
Project Partner:
Steinbeis 2i GmbH Deutschland (DE )SEZ PP Naučno Tehnološki Park Crne Gore
HUMANoid
HUMANoid aims to introduce humanoid robots into vital areas such as agro-food, senior care, and manufacturing, seeking to enhance the region’s health and wealth. The signifi-cance of these sectors is underscored in an ongoing DRP project called BrAIn, where collaboration under the AI umbrella has already begun, spotlighting the need for more concrete projects involving humanoid robots.
Lead Partner:
Pannon Business Network Association Magyarország (HU) PBN LP
Project Partners:
Technical University of Cluj-Napoca România (RO) TUCN
ITC – Innovation Technology Cluster Murska Sobota Slovenija (SI) ITC
Information Society Development Institute Moldova (MD) IDSI
DanubIA Clusters
The project aims to develop an AI empowered cluster cooperation platform aiming at 1) enhancing cooperation between cluster stakeholders in the Danube Region; 2) providing useful “real-time” information on economic competitiveness of Danubian clusters; 3) allowing exchange of best practices and fostering individual learning processes; 4) strengthening the resilience of Danubian value chains.
Lead Partner:
Romanian Cluster Association România (RO) CLUSTERO
Project Partners:
Hungarian Cluster Alliance Nonprofit Ltd.Magyarország (HU) MKK
National Cluster Association –Czechia Česko (CZ) NCA
Union of Slovak Clusters Slovensko (SK)
Ukrainian Cluster Alliance (UA)
EDIGI-Bridge
EDIGI-Bridge is an innovative initiative tо support the growth оf start-ups with a focus оn digitalization. It aims to prepare a develop a comprehensive set оf educational programs and consultancy services, specifically tailored to support digitally focused start-ups. The project will provide them with targeted support to develop knowledge, skills, and insights, which are necessary to succeed in the digital economy.
Lead Partner:
University of Economics in Bratislava Slovensko (SK) EUBA
Project Partners:
EconoMind Slovensko (SK) EconoMind
Institute of modern technologies Montenegro Crna Gora (ME) IMTM
DV: EYE
Danube Ventures is a transformative initiative aimed at empowering young entrepreneurs in the Danube region to catalyze socioeconomic development. With a strategic focus on Slovakia and neighboring countries, this project seeks to leverage transnational collabora-tion and funding sources to support the growth and sustainability of entrepreneurship ecosystems in the region.
Lead Partner:
Zero2Hero, ca Slovensko (SK) Zero2Hero
Project Partner:
Start IT up Association Magyarország (HU)
