The signing of a cooperation agreement between the Plovdiv-based European Digital Innovation Hub “Trakia” (Cyber4AllSTAR) coordinated by the Union for Private Economic Enterprise and the European Digital Innovation Hub for Accelerated Digitalization of SMEs from the North Central Region (ADi4SMEs) coordinated by the Gabrovo Regional Innovation Centre took place in early January 2025 at the Business Centre “Sientia” – Gabrovo.
This happened during the information meeting for small and medium-sized enterprises “Cybersecurity for SMEs” organized by the Regional Innovation Centre – Gabrovo. The occasion was the Directive on measures for a high common level of cybersecurity in the European Union (the NIS2 Directive). The event was prompted by the Directive on measures for a high common level of cybersecurity across the European Union (NIS2 Directive). The Trakia EDIH presented the pan-European network of digital hubs specializing in cybersecurity as an opportunity for SMEs to receive grants to support their efforts in achieving and demonstrating compliance with the new requirements.
The topic of how digital hubs can support the development of the regional economy by implementing dynamically developing technologies such as artificial intelligence was also commented on “Nova TV” by Dr. Hristian Daskalov, Chairman of EDIH Trakia. During the TV interview, the team from the Regional Innovation Center – Gabrovo, whose project is aimed precisely at this area, was pointed out as a reliable partner for implementing AI innovations in the mechatronics sector.
The two hubs, operating with financial support from the Program “Scientific Research, Innovation, and Digitalization for Smart Transformation” (PNIIDIT 2021–2027), initiated active collaboration in December 2024 during a series of informational and consultancy events held from December 10–12 under the theme “European Digital Innovation Days in Local Government” which took place in Plovdiv.
At the Plovdiv event, covered by the Bulgarian Telegraph Agency, a presentation was delivered by Mr. Svetoslav Mateev, Head of the South Central Bulgaria EDIH. Additionally, Mr. Radoslav Rizov, Chief Director of the Directorate General “European Funds for Competitiveness” at the Ministry of Innovation and Growth, participated in the forum’s program, alongside representatives of municipalities and businesses from the region, network and information security experts, and internationally recognized innovators providing digital solutions and services for public administration and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Bulgaria.
During the forum in Plovdiv, a cooperation agreement between the Trakia EDIH and the Association of Bulgarian Cities and Regions (ABCR) was also announced.
The series of informational and consultancy events under the Cyber4AllSTAR project will continue throughout 2025, with monthly events organized upon request from businesses in various industries and regions for planning purposes. The organizers from Trakia EDIH aim to showcase the opportunities offered by the other 11 digital hubs operating with the support of the “PNIIDIT 2021–2027” program and the European Commission’s “Digital Europe” program. This aims to achieve synergies between the individual projects and the teams behind them.
At the end of January 2025, the “European Digital Innovation Days in Insurance” are scheduled to take place.