Digital Innovation Hubs as policy instruments to boost digitalisation of SMEs
Building upon the knowledge gained during the last two years on how Digital Innovation Hubs (DIHs) operate in different regional socioeconomic contexts, this practical handbook aims to provide national/regional policy makers and/or existing DIH managers useful and structured information on how to setup a new DIH or reinforce existing ones while benefiting from available funds with a special focus to the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) 2021-2027. Given the urgent need of SMEs and public administrations to rapidly deploy advanced digital technologies to mitigate the negative consequences of the recent COVID19 crisis to their businesses, the role of DIHs is more important than ever. The Handbook introduces a step-by-step approach to provide support to policy makers that envisage strengthening DIHs in their regions/countries with a view to accelerate digital transformation of the economy and society. This approach allows to use the Handbook as a reference tool depending on the specific needs and level of implementation of DIHs. The practical character of the Handbook is enhanced with the inclusion of many examples that highlight good practices in the different steps of the proposed methodology.