At EURADA, we believe that digital transformation is not just a technological shift — it’s a powerful lever for regional growth and resilience. We held the first 2025 meeting of our revitalised EURADA Working Group on Digitalisation, bringing together regional development professionals to explore how different territories are turning challenges into opportunities.
Two remarkable case studies stood out, showcasing how regions with very different starting points can successfully embrace digitalisation.
Croatia: From Decline to Digital: Building a Gaming Industry Ecosystem in Sisak Moslavina County
Sisak-Moslavina County, once one of Croatia’s poorest regions, historically reliant on agriculture and heavy industry, is now emerging as an unexpected hub for the gaming industry.
Filip Belošević from the Regional Development Agency SIMORA shared this inspiring journey under the theme "From Decline to Digital." Key elements of this transformation include:
- The development of game development education programmes to cultivate local talent.
- The creation of a dedicated business incubator for gaming and tech entrepreneurs.
- A new high-school curriculum for video game development technicians.
Their Digital Innovation Hub — PISMO — has already supported the launch of 36 gaming startups, turning creativity into tangible economic opportunity. As Filip eloquently put it, "Creativity means opportunity."
Malta: Enabling Digitalisation Through Policy, Partnerships, and Innovation Support
Malta, a small island state, has positioned itself as a frontrunner in digital innovation through forward-thinking policies and robust public-private cooperation.
Greta Camilleri from Malta Enterprise highlighted the agency’s role in promoting digitalisation across sectors, supporting Industry 4.0 companies, and fostering industrial automation.
Complementing this, Bernard Montebello from Malta’s European Digital Innovation Hub (managed by the Malta Digital Innovation Authority) shared the importance of advanced digital skills training for SMEs. These programmes cover:
- 3D printing
- Artificial Intelligence
- Internet of Things (IoT)
- Virtual machines
- Malta’s approach also includes strong international partnerships, enabling local companies to fast-track their digital transition and compete globally.
- Building Bridges for Regional Innovation
These case studies illustrate the transformative power of digitalisation when driven by local vision and strategic support. At EURADA, we are proud to help our members share best practices and build connections that empower regions to innovate and grow.
Most likely, another meeting of the EURADA working group on digitalisation will be organised in the autumn, with a special focus on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) as a tool to boost the competitiveness of local companies.
