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Latvian Digital Innovation Hub - EDIH Latvia
Published on 03 January 2022
Latvia
This is the good practice's implementation level. It can be national, regional or local.
About this good practice
The EDIH Latvia is developed in the framework of the Interreg BSR project. and supported by the “Promotion of competitiveness and export capacity of IT industry” project (project No 3.2.1. 1/16/A/004/ ERDF), as well as the EU Digital Europe Programme. It is a part of the European Digital Innovation Hub network, created by the European Commission. EDIH Latvia serves as a digital guide for all entrepreneurs, concentrating on helping SMEs find their way in all the digital solutions and knowledge options. It operates in accordance with the RIS3 of Latvia and have identified areas most in need of creating new products and technologies and additional research expertise. It wants to encourage digital transformation in manufacturing industries such as agri-food, electronics, engineering, timber and medicine and provides the following services: Arrange technology testing; Advise on attracting funding; Create an innovation boosting environment; Train digital skills. EDIH Latvia offers digital knowledge and skill boost to businesses – various educational workshops, specially designed programmes. Companies can measure their digital maturity by taking the quiz “How digital are you?” (available also in ENG) to choose which of the three offered digital development paths or service packages to take. In 2021, EDIH Latvia became a partner of the EU DIH² (http://www.dih-squared.eu/) and together with the cluster received BDVA (Big Data Value Association) silver nomination.
Resources needed
The EDIH Latvia has received the ERDF support in the framework of the Interreg BSR project and EU Digital Europe Programme. It is established on the basis of the Latvian IT Cluster that has been operating for several decades and has a strong background, capacity and resources.
Evidence of success
The evidence of success of the EDIH Latvia is presented by more than 10 success stories of companies and implemented projects including SMEs, banks, Latvian National Library and others. Another success factor is its well established network with Entrepreneurship development centres of 4 Latvia's planning regions, main sectoral associations, universities, as well as over 40 digital technology developers. Companies greatly benefit from participation in the Kick-start digitalization training.
Potential for learning or transfer
The EDIH Latvia is based on the collaboration between companies & business associations, universities & research centres, and national & regional authorities working in the same way as a cluster. Therefore, its a good example for those regions striving to build digital innovation hubs to promote the digitalization of businesses. Also, the Digital maturity test “How digital are you?”, which is also available in English, can be used right away to measure the digitalization level of a company.
Further information
Website
Good practice owner
Organisation
Latvian IT cluster
Latvia
Latvija
Contact
Director, Project Manager