The policy instrument defines how ERDF resources in Tuscany are allocated in the period 2021-2027, in view of the region’s main strategic objectives.

ROP ERDF 2021-27 allocates resources to actions working towards the 5 Cohesion Policy Objectives: PO1 Smarter Europe; PO2 Greener Europe; PO3 More connected Europe; PO4 More social Europe; PO5 A Europe closer to citizens.

Particularly relevant to CDR EUROPE, and where we seek policy change, is PO1 Smarter Europe. Building on achievements from 2014-20, funding will support research, development and innovation in enterprises, partnerships between research and enterprises and the growth and spread of innovative services. This should encourage competitiveness of regional SMEs. The POR underlines the importance spreading digital services, for SMEs, citizens and Public Administrations.

The POR contains 3 specific objectives, all relevant to CDR Europe:
A1) Strengthen R&D capacity and introduction of advanced technologies;
A2) Allow citizens, enterprises and public administrations to reap benefits of digitisation;
A3) Strengthen SME growth and competitiveness.

On 17/02/22, the Regional Government approved the strategic and specific objectives of the ROP ERDF 2021-27. On 6/4/22, the Regional Government approved the programmes submission to the EC, which occurred on 17/04/22. With 5 months, plus 1 month for any integrations, EC approval should occur by 17/10/22 and they have confirmed approval will be no later than December 2022.

The National Strategy for Research, Innovation and Smart Specialisation 2021-2027 (SNCISI), developed under coordination of the Ministry for Research, Innovation and Digitalisation (MCID) sets out Romania’s vision for 2030. It expresses a will to recognise and support excellence, to reward performance, to facilitate public-private partnerships addressing societal challenges, and to make science, innovation and innovation entrepreneurship tools for sustainable development.

SNCISI targets 4 general objectives:
OG 1: Development of the research system
OG 2: Supporting innovation ecosystems associated with smart specializations
OG 3: Mobilisation towards innovation
OG 4: European and international collaboration

Digitalisation is addressed on several levels:
- by supporting the development of data warehouses to facilitate the transition to open science
- by supporting projects targeting societal challenges, such as the integration of clean digital technologies, development of digitally assisted open innovation ecosystems, using new technologies and digital solutions in health and medicine etc.
- by establishing a smart specialisation domain focused on digital economy and spatial technologies, with 8 sub-domains: Microelectronic devices and systems for smart products (1), Networks of the future, communications, IoT (2), Technologies for spatial economy (3), XR technologies (4), AI systems (5), Cybersecurity (6), Traceability technologies (7), Cognitive robots and agents (8).

The Catalan Cybersecurity Strategy Plan defines the strategy to be followed by Catalonia in the field of cybersecurity. It defines the scope of the Public Administrations of Catalonia, its public sector, citizens and those entities (including enterprises) that deal with information, assets or ICT infrastructures.

This plan indicates the strategic vision to guarantee cybersecurity in digital society and achieve an optimum level of trust for social and productive development. It envisages capacity building of companies and SMEs, entities and citizens for their protection in cyberspace. It provides an ecosystem that should maximise benefits of the digital economy.

This Strategy is structured into five pillars: Cybersecurity Country, Public Cybersecurity Service, Cybersecurity Culture, Cybersecurity Administration and Innovation, talent and economic activity of cybersecurity.

Strategic priorities of particular interest to the CDR EUROPE project include those related to innovation, talent and economic activity in Catalonia. Also relevant are actions promoting and strengthening the business fabric including capacity building in culture, tools, and awareness in cybersecurity. These can be integrated with the wider approach to CDR, incorporating other environmental and social aspects.

The plan also establishes the framework of the Safe Internet programme, as an instrument to raise awareness of digital responsibility in all of Catalan society.

The regional programme ERDF 2021-27 for IDF allocates resources to actions working towards 3 Cohesion Policy Objectives: PO1 Smarter Europe; PO2 Greener Europe; PO4 More social Europe. The programme is directly connected to the Regional Scheme for Economic Development Innovation and Internationalization SRDEII 2022-28 and the Smart Specialisation Strategy.

IDF ROP PO1 contains 3 specific objectives, all relevant to CDR Europe project:
• SO 1.1 Strengthen R&D capacity and introduction of advanced technologies;
• SO 1.2 Allow citizens, enterprises and public administrations to reap benefits of digitalisation;
• SO 1.3 Strengthen SME growth and competitiveness.

SO 1.3 is particularly relevant. It will support development and growth of SMEs. The IDF ROP wishes to strengthen their ability to adapt to challenges related to possible changes in their market, the ecological emergency and potential future regulation, or the economic crisis. Within SO 1.3, of particular note for the CDR EUROPE project is the foreseen Action to support the digital transition of SMEs, in response to the challenges of security and data storage, as well as the appropriation of new technologies.

A first version of the Regional Programme ERDF 2021-27 has been submitted to the EC. A technical exchange is currently taking place between the EC and the Region to finalise the ROP, and the Regional Council expects an adoption by autumn 2022.

The Regional Programme is the implementation part of the long-term Regional Plan of South Ostrobothnia extending to 2050. Its objective is to activate the implementation of the objectives and activities stated by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment in its decision for regional development 2020-2023 and the themes of the Regional Plan. Decisions on EDRF and ESF project funding in the region must to be in line with these themes, objectives and activities. The current Programme runs until 2025. In 2025, the Regional Programme is renewed after new political representatives are elected.
Key development objectives are to:
- adapt to the declining population development and stabilising the population structure on a sustainable basis
- strengthen the competence base and to make investments into building an internationally networking innovation ecosystem
- transform work and business life together with an ecological transition.
The last development objective is particularly relevant to CDR EUROPE and can support development of a culture of corporate digital responsibility. Within the aim of “Renewing practices”, this objective will create new practices for start-ups and growing enterprises, for circular economy and digitalisation, for innovation and business renewal and for internationalisation. The Regional Programme guides ERDF and ESF funding in the region. In this way, it has the potential to direct new projects that could improve CDR uptake among SMEs in the region.

The Economic Development and Innovation Operational Programme Plus (EDIOP Plus) 2021-27 is a multi-fund OP covering all Hungarian regions. Priority 1 (SME Competitiveness) and Priority 2 (R&D) are relevant to CDR EUROPE.

In Priority 1, calls for proposals will stimulate digitalisation in SMEs. Support will be provided to SMEs operating in cutting edge technologies, having high growth potential or projects where digitalisation is linked to technology modernisation. Calls will support efficient digitalisation of production or service development. Priority 2 will target innovation activities related to businesses, thus contributing to the creation of technologies and services with significant intellectual added value. In both cases, there is space to integrate CDR concepts, not currently part of programme content.

In addition to the above mentioned objectives it is of particular importance to gather ideas from high-tech companies and research sector on what incentives could be introduced in order to ensure that Hungarian high growth potential enterprises get to know about the ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) approach. We intend to launch several initiatives through EDIOP Plus encouraging enterprises to consider social, economic, technological and environmental components in production and use of digital technologies and processes. One key project is under preparation (call for proposal June 2022) and can be integrated with CDR EUROPE learnings.

The CCC Digital Strategy facilitates and accelerates the transformation of County Cork through its citizens and communities. It sets out how CCC will position itself to ensure that people can easily and effectively access information and services, work with us to improve services and to drive innovation and transformation across the county. This will enable Cork County to be at the forefront of economic development in the region.

Its vision is to ‘create a digital future with and for citizens, business and communities’ with and overall mission of ‘using technology to make people’s lives better’.

This is achieved through 5 main priorities:
1. Ensuring easy access to our services and information
2. Reaching people where they are
3. Safeguarding people’s rights through and with technology
4. Transforming how we work
5. Driving and supporting innovation across the county.

CCC’s digital strategy is reviewed every 3 years with the key objective to support citizens and businesses to realise the benefits of digitalisation. Co-created with stakeholders, this collaborative strategy aims to make Cork an innovative, connected & inclusive region. The strategy aims to address digitalisation through activities including Citizen Participation, Support Services, Digital Skills, Open Data, Climate Action, Infrastructure, improved Governance and Leadership.