Moldova is set to host its first European Digital Innovation Hub, a milestone that authorities describe as a major step in accelerating the digital transformation of local businesses. The initiative comes with a total investment of €2 million earmarked to support the digitalisation of small and medium-sized enterprises.

According to the announced framework, €1 million will be provided by the Moldovan government through the Organization for Entrepreneurship Development, while a further €1 million will come from European funding, bringing the overall package to €2 million. The resources are expected to reach SMEs through digitalisation vouchers and grant schemes aimed at helping companies adopt new technologies and modernise operations.

The hub is the result of a partnership between the Association for the Development of Electronic Communications and Innovative Technologies and the Technical University of Moldova. The Ministry of Economic Development and Digitalization has pointed to this cooperation between the associative and academic sectors as evidence that Moldova can strengthen its position as a relevant player in the wider European innovation landscape. Through the hub, authorities want to provide practical resources, expertise and access to capital in order to turn innovation into deployable solutions for companies.

In the broader European context, European Digital Innovation Hubs are designed as one-stop shops that help businesses and public-sector organisations respond to digital challenges by offering access to specialised know-how, the ability to test solutions before investing, skills development and guidance on financing. Moldova’s new hub is intended to operate within this logic, linking local support with wider European networks and opportunities.

The initiative is also tied to Moldova’s participation in the EU’s Digital Europe Programme. Authorities indicate that the e-Governance Agency will act as the national contact point for the programme, supporting applicants by guiding them through procedures, clarifying eligibility and participation conditions, helping to form consortia, and providing information on calls, events and relevant training opportunities.