EU4Digital ICT Innovation Forum highlights digital education for upskilling SMEs and start-ups

The 2023 EU4Digital ICT Innovation Forum raised important questions about the future of education for businesses to better prepare them for our post-industrial, digital society. Stressing the importance of digital upskilling of start-ups and small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Eastern Partnership (EaP) region, the online event on 9 March was the second in an annual Innovation Forum series and attracted more than 100 participants. They learned about diverse EU and EaP policy and support initiatives including the EU4Digital EdTech Hub platform activity, which was announced during the event.

Nicholas Cendrowicz of the European Commission, Deputy Head of Unit, DG NEAR C1, opened the event, highlighting that 2023 is the European Year of Skills. He emphasised how crucial it is for SMEs to have high quality digital skills as they produce up to 47% of added value in the economy. “We need to equip SMEs with the right set of tools to boost their productivity”, he said, noting the need to bridge investment gaps in digital skills, to mobilise 1.5 billion euros from the public and private sectors and call on international donors to mainstream digital transformation. He reminded participants to explore the EaP Startups ecosystem platform, which was launched during the first Innovation Forum, in January 2022.

Anne Bajart of the European Commission, Deputy Head of Unit, DG CNECT G2, showcased several EU strategy and policy initiatives with the agenda to support SMEs’ digital skills. The 2030 Digital Compass sets ambitious goals for the level of digital skills among the population and SMEs and includes two pillars of activities, supporting short-term SME upskilling training courses, and supporting start-ups and SMEs dealing with innovative technological solutions in education. Various types of international and cross-sectoral community building and partnerships facilitate access to digital skills in the EU – for example the Digital Skills and Jobs Platform and the closely linked Digital Skills and Jobs Coalition; the very successful EU Code Week; the Pact for Skills that brings together public and private organisations; Talent Partnerships; Digital SkillUp; and the European Digital Education Hub for innovation collaboration. Policy tools include the Structured Dialogue on digital education and skills with EU Member States, which will soon release two important recommendations. Finally, she discussed ongoing work to create a European Digital Skills Certificate as well as DigComp 2.2 – the Digital Competence Framework for Citizens, which facilitates the design of digital skills assessment and training content.

Focus within EaP countries

While many of the existing EU initiatives and platforms highlighted by previous speakers are available to SMEs in EaP countries, the panel discussion revealed several common challenges – insufficient awareness of available technologies or their benefits, lack of training or advisory support, and insufficient digital or business literacy. Also, there is still a need for country-specific solutions to improve access and uptake of upskilling. ·

» Rodica Crudu of the Moldovan Organisation for Development of Entrepreneurship (ODA) said SMEs represent up to 99% of the Moldovan economy and the government is very mindful of supporting their competitiveness. Several laws and strategies have been adopted and simplifying the regulatory framework is a priority. ODA has three programmes that include training for upskilling SMEs so they can meet their market needs. New curricula were recently developed including courses on e-commerce, digital marketing and sales, and digital solutions to improve processes such as imports and exports. Training providers will be selected by the end of this month, with donors being sought to help finance the activity, as shortage of expertise makes this a competitive market. The organisation is also exploring ways to increase the sustainability of its programmes and projects through other partnerships.

» Denys Blinda of the Entrepreneurship and Export Promotion Office of Ukraine presented the large-scale national project for entrepreneurship and export promotion, Diia Business. Implemented in 2021 in the official digital government ‘Diia’ brand and ecosystem, the portal is a ‘one-stop-shop’ for entrepreneurs looking to set up their own business. An offline network of support centres complements the portal. Templates, business ideas, legal documents and examples are offered along with services and consulting, a marketplace and educational programmes. Business acceleration programmes were launched in 2023 and other initiatives include the Visionary Women’s Accelerator and the ‘Brave’ programme for women entrepreneurs. The number of women using the platform and services has been increasing and already accounts for 50% of users.

» Ihor Markevych of the Ukrainian Startup Fund (USF) and advisor to Ukraine’s Minister of Science and Education said the country’s IT sector was the only growth industry during the past year and 70% of all Ukrainian tech entrepreneurs are still there. An ‘IT army’ based on NGO and government cooperation is focusing on cybersecurity and cyber tech projects. Cooperation is also needed with mentors, coaches, corporates etc. to ensure digital upskilling will be available to support industry and renovate the Ukrainian economy.

Further information: https://eufordigital.eu/ eu4digital-ict-innovation-forum-highlightsdigital-education-for-upskilling-smes-andstart-ups/