DIGIT-ME

SMEs play a significant role in achieving the objectives of European development strategies both by impact on the overall economic growth and by creating new and maintaining existing worksites. Their approach to different types of innovations affects overall outputs of the economy and influence its competitiveness. At present it seems that digital innovations specified by Inudstry 4.0 have overwhelming impact on EU position on the global markets. Improving regional economies based on traditional industries (including manufacturing) demands effective drivers to go for digital innovativeness effecting in increased capability which eventually leads to lower overall costs. Data shows that there is a huge gap in general innovation performance between the actors of highly developed countries like Finland and countries from Central Europe like Czechia and Poliand. Most probably it is caused not only by low innovation activity of SMEs but also by unsuited policies and also insufficient engagement, lack of knowledge and skills among business environment institutions with innovation agencies on the first place. Thus implementation of common project by the Partners from Czechia, Finland and Poland will lead to dissemination of successful Finnish approach which will be enriched by experiences of countries from Central Europe. Last but not least to be considered in the context of widely defined digital innovativeness is the impact on environment since it is said that Industry 4.0 has the potential to enhance global manufacturing output to meet rising human needs without hurting the environment. In other words it can make the world more sustainable. Considering all mentioned above the project goal is to foster support digital innovations whithin SMEs manufacturing sector by delivering new apporaches for policy makers and business environment institutions in order to strenghten European economy and sustainable development.