Project; 01.01.2024 – 30.06.2026
EUSDR Priority Area(s): PA 8 Competitiveness of Enterprises
The SpinIT project is a transnational initiative co-funded under the Interreg Danube Region Programme, aimed at promoting digital transformation, Smart Specialisation Strategies (S3), and IT-driven innovation across the Danube Region. It combines structured project implementation with process-oriented stakeholder engagement, activating Local Discovery Groups (LDGs) in 10 regions, developing Local Action Plans (LAPs), and launching pilot projects aligned with regional S3 priorities. SpinIT functions as a collaborative platform and network, bringing together over 230 stakeholders from public authorities, SMEs, academia, and civil society to co-create solutions that enhance digital skills, cross-sectoral cooperation, and competitiveness in the IT sector
Objectives: The SpinIT project aims to enhance regional innovation and competitiveness in the IT and smart technologies sector by promoting Smart Specialisation Strategies (S3) and cross-border cooperation across the Danube Region. Its core objectives are:
- To support transnational cooperation among public authorities, SMEs, academia, and civil society through structured stakeholder engagement and knowledge exchange.
- To develop and implement Local Action Plans (LAPs) and pilot projects that are aligned with regional S3 priorities.
- To improve digital skills, foster entrepreneurship, and build institutional capacity across 10 partner territories through peer learning and training.
- To activate Local Discovery Groups (LDGs) that co-create regionally tailored digitalisation strategies and facilitate long-term partnerships.
- To benchmark and exchange good practices in ICT, Industry 4.0, and cross-sectoral collaboration through structured reports and live events.
- To increase awareness and engagement in digital innovation initiatives via communication platforms and outreach strategies.
Need and (expected) impact: Prior to the SpinIT project, many regions in the Danube Region faced fragmented digital innovation ecosystems, low coordination among key stakeholders, limited cross-border cooperation, and uneven implementation of Smart Specialisation Strategies (S3). Public authorities, SMEs, academia, and civil society often operated in silos, lacking structured platforms to collaborate on digitalisation and Industry 4.0 initiatives. Moreover, gaps in digital skills and insufficient integration of ICT across sectors hindered the competitiveness and innovation capacity of the Region.
SpinIT directly addresses these challenges by:
- Activating Local Discovery Groups (LDGs) to foster structured, multi-level stakeholder cooperation.
- Developing Local Action Plans (LAPs) and pilot projects tailored to regional S3 priorities and smart technology needs.
- Bridging policy and practice through peer learning, benchmarking, and training activities.
- Promoting transnational collaboration, enabling regions to learn from each other and build cross-border digital value chains.
By aligning with EUSDR Priority Area 8 – Competitiveness of Enterprises, SpinIT strengthens institutional capacity, fosters innovation, and empowers regions to co-create and implement strategic solutions in the digital era. The project’s impact includes increased stakeholder engagement, more resilient regional innovation systems, and enhanced competitiveness across the Danube Region.
Macro-regional dimension: The SpinIT project involves partners from 10 countries in the Danube Region, covering both EU member states and EU candidate countries. All EUSDR countries are expected to benefit from the impacts of the project. Participating Countries and Example Regions:
- Bosnia and Herzegovina – Zenica, Tuzla (ZEDA, FITT)
- Croatia – Zagreb, Zadar, Varaždin (OPTIM, INOVACIJA, FEB-EFZG)
- Hungary – Szekszárd, Pécs (INM DIH)
- Slovenia – Ptuj, Kranj (ZRS Bistra Ptuj)
- Romania – Cluj-Napoca (MCN)
- Czechia– Prague (EUDA)
- Serbia – Novi Sad (INOSENS)
- Bulgaria – Haskovo, Sofia (Bulgaria Economic Forum, ASPECT)
- Montenegro – Podgorica (University of Montenegro)
Stakeholders involved: The cooperation includes 16 project partners and 13 associated strategic partners, engaging stakeholders from all key sectors (public, private, academic, civil society).
Budget and Funding: Total Budget: EUR 2 419 000 (Interreg Funds: EUR 1 935 200)
Further information:
- Official website: https://interreg-danube.eu/projects/spinit
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/spinitproject
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/danubespinit/
