AID4SME
Enabling SMEs to Harness AI and Data for a Greener Future
Welcome to AID4SME, a project meant to help small and medium-sized enterprises achieve their goals as the urgency for sustainable industry practices intensifies. SMEs often find themselves at a crossroads: they are aware of the benefits of artificial intelligence and data-driven innovation but lack the resources, expertise, and connections to adopt these technologies effectively. AID4SME is a pan-European project designed to bridge this gap by equipping SMEs with the tools and support they need to leverage AI for resource optimization, environmental impact reduction, and long-term competitiveness.
AID4SME is funded under Horizon Europe and brings together a strong consortium of universities, research institutions, technology providers, and innovation hubs from across the continent. Over the course of 36 months, the project will guide at least 20 SMEs through a journey of experimentation, development, and demonstration of AI and data-based solutions, helping them move from early-stage ideas to market-ready applications.
Green eDIH, as Romania’s partner in the consortium, plays a central role in helping companies align their innovations with the EU Green Deal, access technical playgrounds, and gain visibility in AI and digital innovation ecosystems.
For more details about the project visit https://aid4sme.eu/
Project Overview
Empowering SMEs to Embrace the AI-based Innovation
Many small and medium-sized enterprises across Europe face growing pressure to digitalize their operations and adopt sustainable practices. However, access to cutting-edge AI and data solutions is often limited by a lack of internal expertise, financial resources, or opportunities for real-world experimentation.
Over three years, AID4SME will support at least 20 SMEs selected through two open calls. These companies will receive financial support, mentoring, and technical assistance as they develop solutions that improve resource efficiency, reduce waste, and increase competitiveness in sectors like manufacturing, energy infrastructure, battery production, and whitegoods.
Driving Sustainable Innovation in Key Industrial Sectors
From manufacturing and logistics to battery production and energy infrastructure, the sectors targeted by AID4SME play a critical role in Europe’s climate goals. The project focuses on developing AI-powered applications that can optimize resources, reduce waste, and support greener business models. These include predictive maintenance systems, digital twins for real-time monitoring, and data-driven workflows that enhance productivity with lower environmental impact.
A Structured Support Pathway from Idea to Implementation
AID4SME offers a dual testing environment for SMEs to test and deploy innovations — starting in low-TRL scientific playgrounds provided by partners like KU Leuven, JSI, UGent and Leitat, and progressing to high-TRL demonstration environments within real industrial settings, hosted by large partners such as Arçelik, Verkor, LTH Castings and ELES. This structured process ensures that ideas are not just validated technically but also matured to a level that allows for integration into industrial settings. Along the way, companies benefit from technical mentorship, business support, and access to a growing ecosystem of AI experts.
Technologies are organized into four core “technology umbrellas” — data collection, insight creation, decision support, and automation — comprising nine modular technology blocks. These allow SMEs to address diverse challenges using flexible, cutting-edge AI and data capabilities. The project also welcomes external use cases through its “bring your own challenge” approach, expanding its relevance across multiple industries.
Community of Practice and Cross-Border Collaboration
At the heart of the project is a pan-European Community of Practice (CoP) — a vibrant ecosystem of universities, research institutions, large industries, and Digital Innovation Hubs. The CoP not only provides mentoring and technical support throughout the project but is also designed to outlast it. AID4SME aims to create a sustainable, long-term collaborative platform for AI adoption among European SMEs.
To amplify its impact, the project works closely with the AI-on-Demand platform, ensuring that developed solutions, frameworks, and insights are shared with the broader European AI ecosystem. AID4SME is more than a funding opportunity — it’s a launchpad for digital transformation, helping SMEs take confident, well-supported steps toward a greener, smarter future. The ambition is to create a Community of Practice that continues to grow beyond the duration of the project, with a sustainable model that ensures long-term support for SMEs engaging in AI and data-driven innovation.
A Truly Pan-European Initiative
With partners from Belgium, Slovenia, Austria, Spain, Ireland, Turkey, France, Portugal, Latvia, the Netherlands, and Romania, AID4SME reflects a diverse and collaborative European effort. Each region contributes unique industrial insights and innovation dynamics, allowing the project to address shared challenges while remaining sensitive to local contexts. This broad reach also supports cross-border learning and the long-term sustainability of the project’s outcomes.
Key Stakeholders
AID4SME was built around a common need identified by stakeholders across industry, research, and innovation policy: the need to support SMEs in integrating digital technologies not as a luxury, but as a necessity for resilience and sustainability. Each partner brings a distinct perspective to this shared mission.
For SMEs, the project offers a rare opportunity to access funding, expert guidance, and testing environments without the usual entry barriers. For research institutions and universities, AID4SME is a chance to translate cutting-edge knowledge into real-world applications and to support businesses in achieving impact. For technology providers and innovation hubs, the project enables the validation and scaling of AI tools in collaboration with end-users. And for organizations like Green eDIH, it is a natural continuation of efforts to democratize access to digital innovation and sustainable practices.
- Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (KUL) – Belgium
- Universiteit Gent (UGent) – Belgium
- Institut Jozef Stefan (JSI) – Slovenia
- I2M Unternehmensentwicklung GmbH (I2M) – Austria
- Acondicionamiento Tarrasense (Leitat) – Spain
- F6S Network Ireland Limited (F6S) – Ireland
- Logiicdev eU (LOGI) – Austria
- Arcelik A.S. (ARC) – Turkey
- ELES DOO Electricity Transmission System Operator (ELES) – Slovenia
- LTH Castings, Ulitki D.O.O. (LTH) – Slovenia
- Verkor (VKR) – France
- Techconcepts BV (TC) – Netherlands
- Instituto de Soldadura e Qualidade (ISQ) – Portugal
- European Federation for Welding Joining and Cutting (EWF) – Belgium
- Asociatia Green Technology / Green eDIH – Romania
- Latvian Technological Center (LTC) – Latvia
Green eDIH’s Role in AID4SME
As the Romanian partner in the AID4SME consortium, Green eDIH involvement stretches across the full lifecycle of the project, supporting SMEs on their path to AI and data adoption. Green eDIH contributes to defining relevant industry challenges for the open calls and supports SMEs in preparing their proposals for financial and technical assistance. Once selected, we assist companies in accessing the project’s testing environments and ensure they receive the mentorship and feedback needed to align their innovations with real-world industrial needs and the sustainability objectives of the European Green Deal.
We also play a role in monitoring the progress of selected SMEs, evaluating the environmental, social, and economic impact of their solutions, and ensuring alignment with EU sustainability indicators. Through our involvement in standardization and market uptake activities, we help SMEs navigate industry regulations, connect with innovation ecosystems, and prepare for commercialization by developing robust exploitation plans.
Within AID4SME’s Community of Practice, Green eDIH acts as a connector between SMEs, research institutions, and industry players. Our role is to ensure that the knowledge generated within the project is transferred effectively to the businesses that need it most. By facilitating collaboration, peer exchange, and shared learning, we help SMEs navigate the complexities of AI adoption in a trusted environment.
Lastly, Green eDIH supports the project’s dissemination and community engagement efforts. We promote SME success stories, organize knowledge-sharing activities and workshops, and facilitate connections between AI innovators, investors, and industry stakeholders — helping to ensure that the impact of AID4SME extends far beyond its duration.
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Health and Digital Executive Agency. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
