DanubIA – AI-Driven Cluster Collaboration in the Danube Region
There is no efficient and structured method to transform successful collaborations between cluster networks into productive commercial, technological, or project-based partnerships among member SMEs. Additionally, scaling individual successful partnerships between two companies to the broader level of entire cluster networks remains a challenge. As a result, assessing the impact of cluster and SME cooperation on green, digital, and resilient value chains in the Danube Region and beyond is difficult. Moreover, gathering relevant data on the economic performance of SMEs requires significant time and effort, making it impossible to provide real-time insights to support industrial policy decisions.
In response to these challenges, five Danubian Cluster Associations from Romania, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Ukraine have come together to develop the “DanubIA Clusters” project. The primary goal of this initiative is to enhance collaboration between SMEs within clusters and other key players of the quadruple helix in the Danube Region, ultimately strengthening their innovation capacity and positioning them more effectively within international strategic value chains.
To achieve this, the project will implement an AI-powered cluster cooperation platform designed to:
- Improve collaboration among cluster stakeholders in the Danube Region—whether between clusters (C2C), clusters and businesses (C2B), businesses and clusters (B2C), or businesses themselves (B2B)—with a focus on commercial partnerships, technology transfer, innovation, and participation in international RDI projects.
- Provide real-time insights into the economic competitiveness of Danubian clusters and SMEs.
- Facilitate the exchange of best practices and support both individual and institutional learning, particularly in the context of twin transitions.
- Strengthen the resilience of value chains in the Danube Region.
The project is supported by the Interreg Danube Region Programme and co-funded by the European Union.
Project budget: €124,999
Interreg funding: €99,999.2
Project duration: September 2024 – May 2025
The following outputs were achieved in the project:
Report on the state of play on digital/AI based B2B/C2C/B2C cooperation platforms (D1.1.1)
Main Project Concept (D.2.1.1)
Roadmap towards the main project proposal (D3.1.1)
Report on the activities of the working group (D4.1.1)
Recommendations of the working group (D4.1.2 )