DIH4Society launches three selection calls: Free digitalisation opportunities for SMEs, Public Institutions and Hospitals

In this article you will read about: 

• A new stage in the digital transformation of the North-West region;
• Three calls launched in January 2026

1. Call 5 – Micro-enterprises, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs)

2. Call 3 – Public Institutions

3. Call 2 – Public Institutions in the Health Sector (Hospitals)

• What free services does DIH4Society offer?
• Specific advantages for each category of beneficiaries
• Launch event – Call 5 SMEs
• How to apply to the DIH4Society calls?
• Calendar important
• Contact and support
• Why DIH4Society?

A new stage in the digital transformation of the North-West region

DIH4Society – the result of a partnership between the European Commission (through the Digital Europe Programme) and the Romanian State (through POCIDIF) – announces the official launch of three selection calls that will offer free digitalisation services for SMEs, public institutions and institutions in the health sector. This is a unique opportunity for organisations in Romania, especially in the North-West region, to accelerate their digital transformation with the support of certified experts.

Context and added value

DIH4Society is officially recognised by the European Commission as an official node of the European Digital Innovation Hubs Network (edihnetwork.eu). The project is coordinated by a consortium made up of four reference partners: Asociația Cluj IT, Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, University of Oradea and Bistrița-Năsăud Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The extended ecosystem includes over 50 relevant actors, including technology solution providers, universities, chambers of commerce and regional development agencies.

The services offered focus on three main pillars: Digital Transformation, Cybersecurity and Smart Robotics – areas with strategic impact for organisations' competitiveness in the digital age.

Three calls launched in January 2026

1. Call 5 – Micro-enterprises, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs)

Call available at: https://dih4society.ro/apel-5-de-selectie-imm/ 

Valoarea serviciilor: EUR 2,000 – 40,000 (free of charge for eligible beneficiaries)

The services granted under this call are associated with a state aid scheme for innovation, with the aim of helping SMEs address digital challenges and optimise their business and production processes. Companies with a headquarters or branch in Romania are eligible, with priority for companies active in the North-West Region (the counties of Bihor, Bistrița-Năsăud, Cluj, Maramureș, Satu Mare, Sălaj).

Data deschiderii: 19 ianuarie 2026
Closing date: 30 April 2026 (within the limit of the available budget)

2. Call 3 – Public Institutions

Call available at: https://dih4society.ro/apel-3-de-selectie-institutii-publice/ 

Valoarea serviciilor: 12.000 – 30.000 EUR (gratuit)

Local, county and national public administration authorities can request free digitalisation services. Included are institutions such as city halls, county councils and local public authorities that act under public authority and provide public services. Not eligible: municipalities, public universities, public research institutes, educational institutions, cultural, health or social assistance institutions.

Data deschiderii: 19 ianuarie 2026
Closing date: 30 April 2026 (within the limit of the available budget)

3. Call 2 – Public Institutions in the Health Sector (Hospitals)

Call available at: https://dih4society.ro/apel-2-de-selectie-institutii-publice-din-sectorul-de-sanatate/ 

Valoarea serviciilor: 12.295,91 EUR (gratuit)

Public hospitals subordinate to local, county or national administration can access specialised digitalisation services, with a focus on digital transformation and cybersecurity adapted to the specific needs of medical institutions.

Data deschiderii: 19 ianuarie 2026
Closing date: 30 April 2026 (within the limit of the available budget)

What free services does DIH4Society offer?

Digital Transformation

• Digital maturity assessment – Complete diagnosis before and after the consultancy services, with recommendations of priorities for the organisation's digitalisation;
• Proiectarea Digital Enterprise Architecture – Clear understanding of the entity's overall digital architecture, to assist digitalisation investment decisions;
• Integration of digital technologies and AI – Support for converting traditional products/services into digital solutions, customising existing solutions and using artificial intelligence;
• Validation of digitalisation concepts – Testing digitalised processes before major investments, avoiding wasted resources;
• Preparation for RPA (Robotic Process Automation) – Assistance in creating the preconditions for process automation;
• Integrare echipamente inteligente complexe – Technical support for operationalisation and testing of integrated subsystems.

Cybersecurity

• Vulnerability testing – In-depth assessment of vulnerability to prolonged and targeted cyberattacks;
• Assessment of employee readiness – Diagnosis of employees' knowledge and behaviour regarding cyber threats;
• Development of policies and best practices – Detailed documentation for managing security risks;
• Servicii Pentest – Identifying security gaps in the IT infrastructure through attack simulation;
• Securitate nivel firewall – Specialised cybersecurity services at the network edge;
• Business continuity – Assistance in maintaining and restoring operations in the event of cyber incidents.

Smart Robotics

• Training and consultancy – Training in areas such as intelligent and cognitive robots, virtual assistants and chatbots;
• Efficient integration – Support for implementing these technologies in the organisation's operations.

Alte beneficii:

• Training-uri gratuite specializate for employees in strategic areas: cybersecurity, smart robotics, digital marketing, digital enterprise architecture, digital transformation management, industrial network security, smart building security;
• Funding consultancy – Free assistance in identifying and writing projects in the fields of technology investments, digitalisation and innovation;
• ISO standardisation preparation – Support for implementing ISO 9001 (Quality Management) and ISO 27001 (Information Security).

Specific advantages for each category of beneficiaries

Advantages for SMEs:

1. Access to renowned experts – Certified consultants and ecosystem partners with experience in digitalisation;
2. Reducing investment risk – Digital maturity assessment and concept validation before major investments;
3. Improved competitiveness – Implementation of digital technologies and AI for business processes;
4. Conformitate regulatorie – Support for cybersecurity and data protection;
5. Access to funding – Consultancy for identifying and accessing public and private funding programmes;
6. Employee upskilling – Free specialised training for teams in digital and security areas.

Advantages for Public Institutions:

1. Accelerated digital transformation – Improving public services through efficient digitalisation;
2. Operational efficiency – Optimising administrative processes and reducing operating costs;
3. Compliance and security – Protecting public data and IT systems;
4. Quality services for citizens – Citizens' access to faster and more efficient public services;
5. Digital maturity assessment – Complete diagnosis for planning digital transformation;
6. Support for standardisation – Preparation for implementing international ISO standards.

Advantages for Healthcare Institutions (Hospitals):

1. Improved medical care – Implementation of digital systems for more efficient diagnosis and treatment;
2. Patient data protection – Specialised cybersecurity adapted to the requirements of the healthcare sector;
3. Interoperabilitate sisteme – Optimising communication between the various medical IT systems;
4. Staff training – Specialised training for medical staff in the use of digital systems;
5. GDPR and regulatory compliance – Assistance in protecting patients' sensitive data;
6. Upgrade digital – Assessment and planning of investments in medical technology and digitalisation.

Launch event – Call 5 SMEs

To mark the official launch of the call dedicated to SMEs, DIH4Society invites all company representatives and digitalisation enthusiasts to attend this event:

Data: 22 ianuarie 2026

Ora: 17:30
Location: Cluj-Napoca, Romania

At this event, DIH4Society experts will present the available opportunities, answer questions and discuss the application process. It is a networking opportunity with other SME representatives and digitalisation specialists.

How to apply to the DIH4Society calls?

The application process is simple and straightforward:

1. Check eligibility – Make sure your organisation meets the criteria specific to each call.
2. See the list of services – Identify the services that align with the organisation's needs and objectives.
3. Fill in the registration form – Submit the completed form with all the necessary information and the requested supporting documents.
4. Interview with DIH4Society experts – Take part in a discussion with the specialists who will clarify the organisation's specific needs and context.
5. Signing the contract – After selection, sign the contract for the provision of free services (deadline of 10-30 days, depending on the beneficiary category).

Calendar important:

Contact and support

For more information on opportunities and how to apply, contact DIH4Society:

Email general: contact@dih4society.ro

Consortium contact persons: 

• Cluj IT Cluster – Adina Găbudean Rațiu: +40 (0)736 360 727 
• Universitatea Tehnică Cluj-Napoca – Liliana Pop: +40 (0)722 603 686 | Nicoleta Cîndea: +40 (0)745 655 232
• University of Oradea – Ioana Pop Cohuț: +40 (0)748 597 932 
• Bistrița-Năsăud Chamber of Commerce and Industry – Dorina Mihaela Cotoi: +40 (0)733 900 194 

Why DIH4Society?

DIH4Society is not just a source of free services – it is real support for a sustainable and efficient digital transformation. With the support of an ecosystem of over 50 actors, access to certified experts and total funding of almost EUR 4 million, the project has all the resources needed to support any organisation in Romania on its digital journey.

Whether you are a small company at the initial stage of digitalisation, a public institution that wants to modernise its services or a hospital that wants to protect its systems and patient data, DIH4Society has the right solution for you.

Next steps

If you want to find out more about how you can benefit from these free services, we invite you to:

• Take part in the launch event of Call 5 SMEs on 22 ianuarie 2026 (confirmation at the link above);
• Contact the DIH4Society team directly at contact@dih4society.ro;
• See the detailed descriptions of the services on our website: https://dih4society.ro/;
• Find out about the specific eligibility criteria depending on the organisation you belong to.

Digital transformation is a medium- or long-term journey – and DIH4Society is your ideal partner on this journey.

DIH4Society is funded 50% by the European Commission through the Digital Europe Programme (contract no. 101083952) and 50% by the Romanian State through POCIDIF (SMIS 161824 – POCIDIF/1147/2/1/Action 2.4 EDIH). The services are free of charge for eligible beneficiaries, provided that the requirements specific to each call are met. Officially recognised by the European Commission as a node of the European Digital Innovation Hubs Network (edihnetwork.eu).