Thanks to the IP4FVG-EDIH project, IP4FVG was awarded the “Seal of Excellence” by the European Commission, a gateway to the network of European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIH), and a recognition that allows to scale-up the regional hub and obtain national funds from the Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy.

The EDIH network plays a strategic role for the European Commission because it has “the task of ensuring the industry digital transition, with special reference to SMEs and the Public Administration.”  Therefore, being part of the European network is fundamental for our territory, in order to be competitive on an international scale and strengthen the actions to support the transformation of the production processes of regional companies in a broader context.

The partnership that will develop the IP4FVG-EDIH project includes representatives from the various fields of interest, which are active in Friuli Venezia Giulia and range from university, to research, industry and public institutions. IP4FVG-EDIH is, in fact, the result of the work of a project consortium, set up by the Autonomous Region of Friuli Venezia Giulia, coordinated by the national Area Science Park research agency and including the three regional universities (University of Trieste, University of Udine and SISSA), Friuli Innovazione, Polo Tecnologico Alto Adriatico and Lef-Lean Experience Factory 4.0. In addition to these, the other regional players already involved in the IP4FVG digital innovation hub will play a role in specific activities.

In fact, the participation of the new research partners in the project enriches the already large IP4FVG network and makes it possible to broaden the scope of action with new services and specialisations, to increase digital skills and to accelerate the use of new technologies, thus encouraging the adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI), High Performance Computing (HPC) and Cybersecurity (CS) solutions.

By integrating the technological infrastructures and technical know-how of all partners, IP4FVG-EDIH will be able to offer a series of advanced services to promote and support the digital and green transformation of enterprises and PAs in three relevant economic sectors: manufacturing, energy and environment and agro-biotechnology.

P4FVG-EDIH is therefore the evolution on a European scale of the IP4FVG regional digital innovation hub created in 2018 as part of the Argo System, to support local companies in their digital transformation. Over the years, IP4FVG has developed 4 technology demonstrators located on the regional territory and coordinated by Area Science Park. In these places companies can test technological solutions before implementing them in their production processes. The 4 demonstrators, as well as the other technological infrastructures available from the project partners, will act as the gateway to the IP4FVG-EDIH ecosystem for companies, as well as to the entire European EDIH network and that of the National Research Centres. Businesses and public administrations will thus be able to find answers to their needs, making use of the skills, tools and services offered to the entire European network.

The next steps include the publication by the Ministry of the regulations for national funding and the procedures to activate the new services and opportunities for businesses and the territory.