What is EDIH?
European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs) are a key component of the EU’s Digital Europe programme, designed to accelerate digital transformation across Europe. These non-profit centres support digital investments and help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and public sector organisations adopt new technologies more quickly and effectively.
EDIHs typically operate as consortia—often newly formed associations built upon existing organisations that share the EDIH mission. Their pan-European network enables clients to access specialised expertise from across the continent. In 2021-2022, the European Commission conducted a competitive selection process and established 136 EDIHs across the EU, including four in Finland. This expansion demonstrates the EU’s strong commitment to advancing digital innovation and connectivity throughout its member states.
What do they do?
EDIHs operate as one-stop shops, helping companies and public sector organisations respond to digital challenges and become more competitive. They support improvements to business and production processes, products, and services using digital technologies by:
- providing access to technical expertise and testing facilities, including the opportunity to ‘test before invest’
- offering innovation services such as financing advice, training, and skills development that are essential for successful digital transformation
- helping organisations tackle environmental issues, particularly through the use of digital technologies for sustainability and circularity
EDIHs and the EU AI Strategy
In spring 2025, the European Union launched an ambitious AI Continent Action Plan to position Europe as a global AI leader. The plan rests on four key pillars: AI Factories, EDIHs, TEFs (AI Testing and Experimentation Facilities), and the Deploy AI platform (AI-on-Demand). Digital innovation hubs (EDIHs) play a central role in this European AI infrastructure.
In the plan’s second phase, EDIHs take on an expanded role as gateways to the entire EU AI ecosystem, operating on a “one-stop shop” principle. In practice, this means that an EDIH like FAIR will either provide the required service directly or connect companies with the right experts and partners in Finland or elsewhere in Europe.
Finnish AI Region
2022-2025.
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