MAE Partners in Craiova

Introduction

On May 20-21, 2025, the fifth interregional meeting of the Moving Towards Aerospace (MAE) project took place in Craiova, Romania. Hosted by the South West Oltenia Regional Development Agency, the event brought together partners from across Europe to explore the local aerospace ecosystem, share good practices, and advance policy improvements supporting the sector.

Meeting Objectives

• Present and discuss the regional aerospace ecosystem in South West Oltenia.

• Exchange and evaluate Good Practices (GPs) identified by MAE partners.

• Engage local stakeholders and facilitate interregional learning.

• Advance policy improvement initiatives and project coordination.

• Conduct study visits to key aerospace sites in Craiova.

First Day: May 20, 2025

The event opened with welcome remarks from the SW Oltenia RDA and local dignitaries, who emphasized the strategic importance of aerospace for regional development.

Local Ecosystem Presentations Stakeholders from Craiova’s aerospace sector showcased their activities, including Simart 3D (software and engineering), INAS (private research and design), CS Group (software for space and aeronautics), and INCAS (Romania’s leading national aerospace research institute).

Sharing Good Practices Each MAE partner presented selected Good Practices:

• Municipality of Forlì: Introduced its regional aerospace forum and a center for drone technology.

• IARDI: Highlighted the Carpathian Academy for Small Aviation, a cross-border initiative.

• TU Delft: Presented the “Innovation Ambassadors” program to connect industry and start-ups.

• Prague Innovation Institute (PII): Discussed its successful “Innovation Breakfasts” for stakeholder engagement.

• Clare County Council: Shared its regional skills forum to address local skills gaps.

• Nordland County Council: Described a partnership with Andoya Space offering students immersive business experiences.

Policy Session and Steering Committee An interactive session focused on analyzing and refining policy improvements across partner regions. The day concluded with the fifth Steering Committee Meeting, which covered project reporting and unanimously approved moving the final MAE event to Delft, recognizing its dynamic aerospace ecosystem.

Second Day: May 21, 2025

Day two was dedicated to study visits, offering firsthand insights into Craiova’s aerospace assets:

• Craiova Airport: Currently undergoing major modernization with EU funding.

• Avioane Craiova: A state-owned military aircraft manufacturer investing in modernization and diversification.

• DEDALUS TECH SRL: An expanding aircraft maintenance firm and training center, exemplifying the region’s growth potential.

Next Steps

• Provide project reporting and certification updates.

• Finalize dates for the next interregional meeting in Prague.

• Continue focus on policy improvements and action plan preparations.

Conclusion

The fifth MAE meeting in Craiova successfully highlighted the region’s dynamic aerospace ecosystem and the value of interregional cooperation. The project continues to drive innovation and transformation in Europe’s aerospace sector through stakeholder engagement and collaborative policy work.