The Ministry of Digital Transformation informs all Digital Innovation Hubs that on April 3, 2025, the European Commission announced a new Call for proposals under the Digital Europe Programme for Consolidation of the network of European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs) with a strengthened focus on artificial intelligence (AI) - Consolidation of the network of European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs with reinforced AI focus) Call ID: DIGITAL-2025-EDIH-EU-EEA-08
Purpose of the call
The aim of this call is to strengthen the European network of Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs) in all EU Member States and partner countries, ensuring full regional coverage. The initiative aims to improve the efficiency and capacity of EDIHs to meet the needs of digital transformation, with a particular focus on artificial intelligence (AI) technologies and applications.
Call area
The selected EDIHs will provide specialized digital transformation services to SMEs, mid-sized companies and public institutions, including:
- Testing before investing: Providing access to technical expertise and experimental facilities for AI.
- Training and skills development: Support for retraining and upgrading of the workforce in digital technologies.
- Support for finding investments: Enabling access to public and private sources of funding.
- Networking and access to innovation ecosystems: Promoting cooperation with EU AI innovation infrastructures and other stakeholders.
Key aspects
- Each EDIH will act as central access point a central access point for digital transformation services, using AI capabilities.
- The network will enable cross-border cooperation, exchange of resources and referrals to AI innovation infrastructures.
- EDIHs will contribute to adoption and implementation of AI, supporting SMEs and public institutions with AI solutions.
- The initiative is aligned with green digital transformation of the EU, strengthening industrial resilience and strategic autonomy.
Financing
50% co-financing comes from the Digital Europe Programme, and for the remaining 50%, applicants need to secure sustainable sources of co-financing.
Eligibility to apply
Eligible applicants are existing European Digital Innovation Hubs funded through the Digital Europe Programme or those with a Seal of Excellence. (Seal of Excellence).
Applicants must be legal entities established in relevant EU Member States or Partner Countries.
Criteria for applicants
The criteria for applicants according to the call include:
Acceptability - The applicant must be a legal entity with relevant experience in digital transformation and innovative technologies.
Focus on artificial intelligence - Proven knowledge and capacity to support the development, testing, and implementation of AI-based solutions is required.
Providing basic EDIH services - Ability to provide:
- Testing before investing
- Digital skills training and development
- Funding support
- Networking and connecting with innovation ecosystems
Cross-border cooperation - Inclusion in the EDIHs network and cooperation with European AI infrastructures.
Co-financing - Providing adequate sources of co-financing, applicants should describe the sources of co-financing and how they will achieve economic sustainability for their operations, and those with the most sustainable co-financing package will be given priority.
Sustainability - Long-term strategy for self-sustainability of activities.
Elaborate to MDT
Applicants must submit a report to the Ministry of Digital Transformation (MDT), which will include:
- Description of the institution and its capacity to implement EDIH activities
- Proposal of services and activities in accordance with the objectives of the call
- Co-financing plan and sustainability
- Key partner engagement plan and collaboration with other EDIHs
- Expected results and indicators for measuring success
Application process
Interested organisations are encouraged to review the full call documentation and eligibility criteria on the official website of the European Commission-EU Funding & Tenders Portal.
Proposals must contain administrative data (Part A), technical description (Part B) and mandatory attachments (e.g. price list, key performance indicators – KPI, letters of support (Letter of designation).
The call whose deadline is 14.05.2025, is available at the following link: EU Funding & Tenders Portal
The necessary data must be sent to the address digital.europe@mdt.gov.mk no later than 03.05.2025.