Finland: Innovation hubs to promote digitalisation in the EU – Applications from Finnish candidates now accepted

NordenBladet — The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment has opened a call for applications to select Finland’s candidates for the European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs). The EDIHs will support businesses and the public sector in the utilisation and deployment of digital solutions. Applications will be accepted until 15 January 2021.

The call for applications is open to organisations and groups that can provide and supply services to support the digital renewal of business. Only non-profit organisations can apply.

In the next phase, a limited call for applications for nationally selected candidates will be organised by the Commission. According to a preliminary schedule, the European call for applications will be held from the end of January until the end of April. The final selection of the EDIHS will be made by the European Commission. The Commission has proposed that 2–4 EDIHs be set up in Finland.Innovation hubs to form an EU-wide networkThe EDIHs are part of the EU’s new Digital Europe Programme and will become service centres for promoting digital investments.

They aim to make new technologies more widely and rapidly available to companies and the public sector. It is the EU’s objective to build the EDIH network based on existing actors. The network will offer customer-oriented services and support a sustainable digital renewal of the economy. The Digital Europe Programme has provisionally allocated approximately EUR 14.8 million to funding the Finnish hubs in 2021–2027. A corresponding amount of funding must come from the Member State, for example the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), companies or hubs. The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment will continue preparations for the national funding and support of hubs as part of the Artificial Intelligence 4.0 programme.

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi