KhNU became a finalist in the national selection for the network of European digital innovation hubs

From December 20, 2023 to January 19, 2024, the national selection for participation in the competition of the European Commission to join the network of European Digital Innovation Hubs (ECIH) within the framework of the EU Digital Europe program continued. A total of 60 applications were submitted, which were evaluated by the commission. It included representatives of the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine, the Entrepreneurship and Export Promotion Office, as well as international experts.

Khmelnytskyi National University became a finalist of the selection, heading a consortium consisting of: KhNU, NGO "Agency for Sustainable Development "ASTAR", PU "PODILSKY FASHION CLUSTER", NGO "IT CLUSTER OF THE CITY OF KHMELNITSKY". The project "EDIH "Clothing Technology & Textile Hub" (CLOTEX-HUB)" took the eighth place in the ranking of fifteen selected consortia. The finalists of the national selection were organizations that are ready to implement innovation and digital transformation for Ukrainian enterprises and government agencies. The specialization of the future EDIH CLOTEX-HUB lies in the areas of apparel industry and mechanical engineering, which belong to the smart specialization of the region.

The selection of organizations was carried out according to the following criteria:

• alignment with the objectives of the Digital Europe programme, as well as national or regional digital goals;
• plan and ability to implement the planned activities;
• expected results and potential long-term effect;
• competitiveness and benefits for the local ecosystem of innovation and entrepreneurship in general.

The finalists of the national selection have moved on to the second stage and are preparing applications for participation in the competition from the European Commission. The competition will last until April 10, 2024.

For a whole week from February 26 to March 1, 2024, the selected candidates in Lviv, including the coordinator from Khmelnytskyi National University – Head of the Research Department Oksana Zakharkevych, became participants in the training on the preparation of applications in the main call from the European Commission (LVIV Workshop for EDIH Candidates: How to apply to DIGITAL-EDIHCall). An integral part of the training was the presentation of their own concepts, followed by a step-by-step review of the stages of uploading the application.

In the summer of 2024, the winners will be announced to join the network of European Digital Innovation Hubs (ECIHs). They will receive a grant for the implementation of their projects.

The initiative is carried out within the framework of the EU Digital Europe Program, the strategic implementer of which in Ukraine is the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine, the practical consultant is the Entrepreneurship and Export Promotion Office, with the support of the GIZ Ukraine program "Digital Transformation of SMEs in the Eastern Partnership Countries", funded by the Government of Germany.

Oksana Zakharkevich,

Head of Research Department