Recruiting and onboarding SMES into the EDIH program for digital transformation

By project BEST DIH

Published on 31 January 2025

Romania

Vest

About this good practice

The low level of digitalization within the SMES and the lack of successful models create barriers to perceiving the existing available support on the market both financial and services.
The proposed solution was to organize a two-step approach when selecting companies to onboard the EDIH services.
The first step was to launch and promote the EDIH program and its services. The application form consisted of an online automatic survey that scanned the general level of digitalization in companies but using a simple non-technical language. The application form provided an automatic scoring that provided an overview for the applicant and for the evaluators.
The second step was to organise several rounds of workshops with the applicants aiming to present them the distinction between the EDIH support services and the regional funding available. The content provided was a mix of policy makers, IT consultants from the EDIH, help desk specialists from the Regional program aiming to clarify the bureaucratic aspects, EDIH acceleration process, eligible activities, DESI, and the overall value created for the applicants.
At the end of each session, the participants had the opportunity of dedicated one to one sessions with both help desk specialists on particular eligible activities and with the EDIH specialist on topics like DESI score estimation their needs, and the connection with the EDIH service package.

Resources needed

2 months period for the whole process
7 technical experts (IT specialists, help desk experts) that act as facilitators for the company boarding process
Catering and hosting facilities related to the event

Evidence of success

Around 100 participants were engaged in technical discussion and clarified the opportunity for their own business related to their current DESI level.
60% of the participants are eligible for the policy instrument and will be supported on the technical plan required to apply for regional funding.
EDIH specialists had a clear projection related to the recruited companies in terms of needs and service packages.
Help desk funding specialists used the opportunity to test the market potential.

Potential for learning or transfer

There are several technical aspects that can be transferred:
1. The two-step approach that helps recruit more companies through a non-bureaucratic approach in the first phase.
2. The process of communicating program requirements and still providing the opportunity for an applied technical discussion on the applicant's digital challenges.
3. Engagement with the policy, technical, and funding stakeholders.