The NOTRE project promoted in Romania !

On the 10th of August 2023, the North-West Regional Development Agency organized an event in Cluj-Napoca to promote the NOTRE project (Novel Methods Improving Production Innovation Potential with examples of senior care-related solutions). This project aims to improve policies supporting innovation and digitalization in companies and health infrastructures that develop and provide medical products and services for the elderly. 

The project is funded through the Interreg Europe 2021-2027 interregional cooperation program, under the component "Improving policies for the competitiveness of SMEs," and is implemented from March 1, 2023, to May 31, 2027, within a partnership of 9 organizations, including representatives of SMEs, regional councils, development agencies, or universities. 

The partnership members are: Pannon Business Network Association, Hungary, as the coordinator; Cabinet of the Prime Minister of the Government of Hungary; Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences, Finland; Eurasanté (Health Innovation Accelerator), France; Hauts-de-France Regional Council, France; Socio-Economic Development Agency of San Sebastian, Spain; North-West Regional Development Agency, Romania; CNA Emilia-Romagna, Italy; ECHAlliance (European Connected Health Alliance), Ireland. 

The project's idea and approach have been developed based on two main types of challenges identified at the regional level: 

• Current demographic challenges resulting from the growing proportion of elderly people in the total population, along with associated costs for public health expenses or private medical services in the context of an aging population. 

• Challenges faced by SMEs developing innovative products and services intended to ensure active aging for the elderly in good health. Entrepreneurs providing such services encounter difficulties in terms of market positioning and product profitability, legal and ethical limitations, lack of financing solutions, and a platform to connect with stakeholders for the development of innovative products and services. 

To maximize the benefits of expertise transfer, beyond the project consortium, a Regional Representatives Committee has been formed within the North-West Development Region. This informal structure is based on institutional collaboration and is open to all those interested in getting involved and joining the project during its implementation. 

The event took place during the LevelUP Health & Life Sciences Accelerator meeting, an initiative that brings together health and life sciences startups. Link to the accelerator: https://www.inno.ro/level-up-accelerator