Smart, resilient, and sustainable communities – European Digital Innovation Hub 2.0

Smart, Resilient and Sustainable Communities – European Digital Innovation Hub 2.0

Duration: March 2026 – March 2029

Project title: Smart, Resilient and Sustainable Communities – European Digital Innovation Hub 2.0

Acronym: SRC-EDIH 2.0

Coordinator: Development Centre Novo mesto (Vesna Čolič)

Programme/Call: DIGITAL Europe Programme / DIGITAL-2025-EDIH-EU-EEA-08

Total project budget: EUR 2,836,998.00

Budget for Rudolfovo: EUR 297,727.50

Project website: https://src-edih.rc-nm.si/

Project lead at Rudolfovo: Assoc. Prof. Vesna Pungerčar, PhD (vesna.pungercar@rudolfovo.eu)

About the project

SRC-EDIH 2.0 (Smart, Resilient and Sustainable Communities – European Digital Innovation Hub 2.0) is a European Digital Innovation Hub designed to accelerate the digital transformation of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and mid-caps in Slovenia, with a particular focus on artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced digital technologies.

The project builds on the successfully implemented SRC-EDIH 1.0 and draws on years of experience supporting companies in digitalisation, automation, robotics, cybersecurity, and data technologies. SRC-EDIH 2.0 acts as a one-stop shop for companies seeking to introduce digital and AI solutions in a safe, efficient, and strategic way.

Project objectives

The main objective of SRC-EDIH 2.0 is to strengthen companies’ competitiveness by:

introducing AI and advanced digital technologies,
increasing companies’ digital maturity,
reducing risks related to digital investments,
supporting the green and digital transition (the “twin transition”),
integrating companies into the European innovation and AI ecosystem.

The project contributes to the goals of Europe’s Digital Decade, which aims for at least 90% of SMEs to reach a basic level of digital intensity by 2030.

Key services of SRC-EDIH 2.0

The project provides companies with support across four key areas:

Test Before Invest

Companies can test digital and AI solutions in specialised testing and demonstration environments before making major financial investments. A particular focus is placed on manufacturing companies, AI, robotics, automation, cybersecurity, and smart manufacturing.

Training and digital skills development

The project offers targeted training—from basic digital skills to advanced topics in AI, Industry 4.0 and 5.0, cybersecurity, and manufacturing digitalisation.

Support in access to finance

Companies receive support in identifying national and European funding sources, improving investment readiness, and connecting with public and private financiers.

Innovation ecosystem and networking

SRC-EDIH 2.0 connects companies with research organisations, technology providers, other EDIHs, AI factories, testing environments (TEFs), and European initiatives such as the AI-on-Demand Platform.

Rudolfovo’s role

Rudolfovo – Scientific and Technological Centre Novo mesto participates in SRC-EDIH 2.0 as a project partner and contributes expertise in:

industrial and manufacturing innovation,
digitalisation and AI,
advanced materials, 3D scanning, and smart systems,
sustainable and energy-efficient solutions.

Rudolfovo plays an important role in developing and delivering Test Before Invest services and in supporting companies in implementing digital and AI technologies in real business environments.

Expected results

SRC-EDIH 2.0 will contribute to:

greater adoption of AI in companies,
improved digital and green competitiveness of SMEs,
increased resilience to technological and market changes,
strengthening the Slovenian and European AI ecosystem,
responsible, ethical, and human-centred use of digital technologies.