RTIT - Knowledge communities for the transfer of knowledge, technology and innovation in the Danube region

Materials, as a cross-sector technology, are of central importance in the digital and ecological transformation. They are a key strength in times of geopolitical instability and represent highly dynamic sectors with enormous technological challenges and high innovation potential. Examples include sustainable, smart and adaptable materials, advanced composites, surface treatment, lightweight construction or energy-optimized materials

Danube region as a key region

The Danube region is strong in the production and manufacturing of materials and is therefore a key region within the EU to reduce dependence on markets outside the European continent.

However, the technological challenges, the growing need for sustainability and resilience require a much higher degree of transfer between research, technology and innovation (RTI). This RTI transfer is necessary not only to remain competitive, but also to position the Danube region as a key region in European value chains.

Initial situation

Innovation support, RTI management and commercialization programmes are struggling to find the right strategies and measures to meet the emerging challenges and narrow the gap with European innovation leaders. Many RTI organizations in the Danube region do not cooperate or do not cooperate enough with business development agencies. The lack of sustainable, long-term relationships and the lack of cooperation with actors from well-functioning RTI support systems prevents access to promising RTI projects. Bureaucratic hurdles, lack of skilled workers and funding opportunities in the RTI transfer system make it even more difficult for many countries in the Danube region to catch up with the EU innovation leaders

Cooperation as a solution

Transnational cooperation with innovation leaders helps to find the right strategy and approach to accelerate the catch-up process in RTI transfer and reduce the gap between "East" and "West". Through experience exchange and knowledge transfer between highly innovative regions and less developed or emerging innovation regions, the less developed regions are supported in introducing new approaches.

Procedure of RTIT

The RTIT consortium will develop a transnational action plan based on the New Industrial Strategy for Europe to accelerate the RTI transfer in the field of materials and material technologies in the Danube region. Measures for implementation and recommendations for action for decision-makers in science and business development will be developed. The strengths and advantages of the region are to be clearly presented. In addition, new knowledge regarding RTI transfer and design management is to be communicated and brought into the region via newly established knowledge communities. All eleven demonstration partners (BA, BG, HU, ME, SI, UA) are pursuing a holistic approach in order to strengthen the transfer itself with the emerging knowledge communities. The companies are supported in their marketing with impulses on the subject of design management. There is an exchange between all partners in order to learn from each other and to strengthen the region and its companies through improved transfer and commercialization. RTIT aims to contribute to resource efficiency, sustainability and digitalization and to strengthen the resilience of companies in European value chains

The aim of RTIT

RTIT aims to support small and medium-sized enterprises in the field of materials (technologies). This is done by building knowledge communities in the Danube region. These will be dedicated to the transfer of knowledge, technology and innovation and will facilitate commercialization by companies through the use of design management methods.

Partners in the project

The project consortium consists of thirteen project partners and nine associated strategic partners from Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Germany, Hungary, Montenegro, Slovenia and Ukraine.

Project partners:

Bayern Innovativ - Bayerische Gesellschaft für Innovation und Wissenstransfer mbH (DE)
Gospodarska zbornica Slovenije / Gospodarska zbornica Slovenije (SI)
Inovaciono preduzetnički centar Tehnopolis / Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center Tehnopolis (ME)
Kemijski inštitut / National Institute of Chemistry (SI)
Kompetenzzentrum Holz GmbH (AT)
Pécs-Baranyai Kereskedelmi és Iparkamara / Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Pécs-Baranya (HU)
Pécsi Tudományegyetem / University of Pécs (HU)
Univerzitet Crne Gore / University of Montenegro (ME)
Univerzitet u Zenici (Centar za inovativnost i preduzetništvo) / University of Zenica (BA)
Zaklada za inovacijski i tehnološki razvitak (INTERA Tehnološki Park) / Foundation for Innovation and Technology Development (INTERA Technology Park) (BA)
Інститут фізики НАН України / Institute of Physics of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine (UA)
Софийски университет "Св. Климент Охридски" / Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski" (BG)
Фондация "Приложни изследвания и комуникации" / Applied Research and Communications Fund (BG)

Associated partners:

Agenția Națională de Cercetare și Dezvoltare / National Agency for Research and Development (MD)
Bayerische Forschungsallianz GmbH (DE)
Grad Mostar City of Mostar (BA)
Ministarstvo ekonomskog razvoja i turizma Crne Gore / Ministry of Economic Development and Tourism of Montenegro (ME)
Nemzeti Kutatási, Fejlesztési és Innovációs Hivata / National Research, Development and Innovation Office (HU)
Благодійний фонд "ЕЕН-Україна" / Charity Fundation "EEN-Ukraine" (UA)
Державна інноваційна фінансово-кредитна установа / STATE FINANCE INSTITUTION FOR INNOVATIONS (UA)
Индустриален клъстер "Електромобили" / Electric Vehicles Industrial Cluster (BG)
СОФИЯ ТЕХ ПАРК АД / SOFIA TECH PARK JSC (BG)