ERNACT, or European Regions Network for the Application of Communications Technology, was founded in 1991. We are an international network of European regional and city public authorities that work together to access European Union digital technology programmes and funding for the benefit of our areas, companies and universities.
What do we do?
We have developed an approach for optimising cooperation in European projects and regions' smart specialisation and digital transformation needs. We share knowledge by implementing international innovative projects related to: Digital Innovation Hubs, artificial intelligence, virtual reality, IoT, public services, energy efficiency, open innovation, eHealth, SMEs, tourism, aquaculture, sustainable communities, rural development…
How do we do?
We research our members’ digital needs and we identify priorities towards digital transformation. With the support from European Union’s funding programmes, we connect with other territories that are facing similar challenges and we prepare joint project proposals. In that way, we design and develop new international cooperation projects, capturing the opportunities that interregional partnerships bring. We share and disseminate partners’ and stakeholders’ expertise and coordinate the exchange of experience process through good practices, case studies, services and results, among others. We also implement and monitor pilot projects to ensure that final users benefit from our interregional cooperation strategies.
What have we achieved?
With more than 25 years of expertise in leading cooperation projects, we have a long-track record of achievement in linking with other European and Canadian regions. To-date, we have developed over 40 transnational cooperation projects, with a €65m total budget, with local and regional governments, universities, development agencies and research centres in more than 160 European regions and cities, with a combined population of 50 million, across more than 29 countries.
The ERNACT network of regions currently has 10 live Digital Transformation projects, involving 50 regions and 60 organisations.