Digitalization in Any Field: European Funds for Critical Process Automation

Digitalization in Any Field through European Funds for Critical Process Automation represents an essential opportunity for Romanian companies aiming to modernize their operations and remain competitive in the global market. In the context where Romania ranks last in the European Union regarding company digitalization, accessing non-reimbursable European Funds for implementing digital solutions becomes not just an option, but a pressing necessity for the survival and development of local businesses.

The State of Digitalization in Romania: Challenges and Opportunities

Romania faces a concerning reality regarding digitalization. According to the latest data from the Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI), our country ranks last in the European Union, with a score of only 30.6 points, compared to the EU average of 52.3 points. The situation is even more alarming when analyzing the growth rate of digitalization – Romania has the lowest DESI growth rate in the 2015-2022 period, increasing by only 3.7 points, compared to the EU average of 13.4 points.

What’s even more worrying is that Romania has the highest percentage of poorly digitalized companies in the European Union, namely 72.1%, according to Eurostat. Only 27% of Romanian SMEs meet the basic criteria for digital intensity, compared to the EU average of 57.7%. This digital gap directly affects the competitiveness of the Romanian economy, especially considering that 90% of firms in Romania are SMEs, employing 68% of the national workforce.

Digital Intensity Criteria for SMEs

To measure the level of digitalization, the European Union uses the Digital Intensity Index (DII), which evaluates the adoption of 12 essential digital technologies:

More than 50% of employees use computers with internet access
Use of ICT specialist services (own employees or outsourced)
Internet connection speed of at least 30 Mbps
Over 20% of employees use mobile devices with internet connection
Having a website or internet page
Website with complex functions
Use of social networks
Paying for online advertising
Use of cloud computing services
Issuing electronic invoices for automatic processing
E-commerce sales of over 1% of total turnover
B2C sales of over 10% of total online sales

A company is considered digitalized at a basic level if it implements at least 4 of these technologies, and to access European Funds from PNRR for digitalization, SMEs must achieve at least 6 of these criteria by the end of project implementation.

European Funding Programs for Digitalization in 2025

The European Union and Romania offer multiple funding opportunities for business digitalization, each with its specifics and advantages. Here are the most important available programs:

1. Digital Europe Program (DIGITAL)

The Digital Europe Program represents the EU’s largest funding program dedicated to digital transformation, with a total budget of over 8.1 billion euros for the 2021-2027 period. This program supports projects in five key areas:

Supercomputing (2.23 billion euros)
Artificial Intelligence (2.06 billion euros)
Cybersecurity (1.65 billion euros)
Advanced digital skills (577 million euros)
Wide use of digital technologies (1.07 billion euros)

The program complements funding available through other EU initiatives, such as Horizon Europe (for research and innovation), the Connecting Europe Facility (for digital infrastructure), and the Recovery and Resilience Facility.

2. SME Digitalization Program from PNRR

The National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) includes a program dedicated to SMEs wishing to digitalize their activity. With a total budget of 347.5 million euros, the program offers grants between 20,000 and 100,000 euros per project, depending on the size of the enterprise:

Microenterprises: up to 30,000 euros
Small enterprises: up to 50,000 euros
Medium enterprises: up to 100,000 euros

The funding covers 90% of eligible expenses, with the entrepreneur having to provide the remaining 10% from their own funds. The program was launched in February 2023, and so far, 4,032 projects out of 7,188 submitted have been approved, with a total value of 136.89 million euros.

3. Regional Funding Schemes for Digitalization

In addition to national programs, there are also funding schemes at the regional level. An example is the program in Bucharest-Ilfov, which offers aid of 25,000-200,000 euros for companies with up to 9 employees, with an intensity of 90% of the value of eligible expenses and a total budget of 37.6 million euros.

Benefits of Business Process Automation

Process automation represents one of the most effective digitalization strategies, bringing multiple benefits to companies of all sizes:

1. Increased Productivity

By eliminating manual intervention in repetitive processes, automation allows employees to focus on higher value-added activities. Software “robots” don’t need breaks and don’t get tired, being able to work non-stop and maintaining continuous operational flow.

2. Error Reduction

Process automation eliminates most errors caused by the human factor, as automated systems follow precise instructions without variations or unforeseen elements.

3. Cost Savings

By reducing the time needed to perform repetitive tasks and optimizing the use of existing resources, automation can generate significant savings for companies.

4. Improved Customer Experience

Automated processes allow for faster and more accurate responses to customer requests, leading to increased customer satisfaction and loyalty.

5. Scalability and Flexibility

Automation allows companies to expand their operations without the need for significant increases in infrastructure or workforce, adapting quickly to market requirements.

6. Advanced Monitoring and Analysis

Automated systems collect data on all actions performed, offering the possibility of analysis for identifying problems and further process optimization.

How ROBORA Can Help You in the Digitalization Process

ROBORA is the ideal partner for companies wishing to accelerate their digital transformation and access European Funds for operational process automation. With over 15 years of experience in the IT industry, our team offers customized solutions for your business.

Specialized Services for Digitalization and Automation

We specialize in implementing the most advanced software automation solutions, artificial intelligence, and digitalization. Regardless of the size or complexity of your project, ROBORA can help you:

Implement RPA (Robotic Process Automation) solutions for automating repetitive processes
Integrate Artificial Intelligence technologies for operations optimization
Develop customized systems for efficient data management
Increase productivity by up to 70% through critical process automation

Access to Non-Refundable Funding

A major advantage of collaborating with ROBORA is access to European non-refundable funding opportunities. Our team can help you access non-refundable funds for digital transformation projects, benefiting from funding of up to 90% of total costs.

Steps for Accessing European Funds for Digitalization

The process of accessing European Funds for digitalization involves several essential steps:

Assessing digital needs – Identifying critical processes that require automation and necessary technologies
Choosing the right funding program – Depending on the company size and specific objectives
Preparing documentation – Developing a business plan and other necessary documents
Submitting the funding application – According to the specific funding guide of the chosen program
Project implementation – After funding approval, implementing digital solutions according to the plan
Monitoring and reporting – Tracking performance indicators and reporting to management authorities

Steps for Accessing European Funds for Digitalization — Foto Source – Pixabay

Eligible Technologies for Funding through European Funds

Funding programs for digitalization cover a wide range of technologies and solutions, including:

Hardware and IT equipment
Specialized software and applications
Robotic Process Automation (RPA) solutions
Blockchain technologies
Artificial Intelligence systems
Machine learning solutions
Augmented and virtual reality
Cloud services and Internet of Things (IoT)
IT staff training courses

Benefits for SMEs Beyond Funding

Digitalization brings benefits that exceed the immediate value of funding:

Increased competitiveness – Digitalized SMEs can compete more effectively in national and international markets
Resilience to crises – Digitalized companies adapted more easily during the COVID-19 pandemic
Attracting and retaining talent – Modern and digitalized work environments are more attractive to qualified employees
Access to new markets – Digitalization facilitates geographical expansion and access to new customer segments
Increased business value – Companies with a high level of digitalization generally have a higher market value

The Role of Specialized Partners in the Digitalization Process

Collaborating with digitalization and automation experts can facilitate access to European Funds and ensure the efficient implementation of technological solutions. Companies like ROBORA provide specialized services in business process automation, digital transformation, chatbot and artificial intelligence implementation, project management, and presentation website development. With extensive experience in the IT industry, ROBORA supports businesses in their digitalization journey by offering customized and effective solutions.

Benefits of Partnering with Digitalization Experts

Partnering with specialists in the field brings multiple advantages:

Technical Expertise: Access to advanced knowledge and cutting-edge technological solutions.
Strategic Consultancy: Development of a digitalization plan tailored to the company’s specific needs.
Support in Securing Funding: Assistance in preparing documentation and navigating the application process for European Funds.
Efficient Implementation: Managing the digitalization project from concept to completion, ensuring adherence to deadlines and budget constraints.

Case Studies: The Success of Digitalization in Various Industries

The implementation of digitalization and automation solutions has yielded remarkable results across different sectors, like:

Financial Industry: Banking institutions have implemented process automation systems for document validation and transaction verification, reducing processing time and enhancing data security.
Healthcare Sector: Hospitals and clinics use digital solutions for managing patient records, scheduling appointments, and analyzing medical data, optimizing workflow and improving healthcare service quality.
Manufacturing Industry: Factories implement ERP systems and automation technologies to optimize supply chains and production processes, reducing operational costs and minimizing waste.

Conclusions and Next Steps

Digitalization is no longer just an option, but a necessity for the survival and prosperity of Romanian SMEs in the current context. European Funds offer a unique opportunity for companies wishing to automate their critical processes and make the transition to a competitive digital business.

To benefit from these opportunities, we invite you to contact the ROBORA team for a free and personalized consultation regarding digital solutions and funding options available for your business.

Don’t let your business fall behind in the digital revolution! Contact us today to discover how we can make a difference for the future of your company.

Investing in digitalization is not just a strategic step but a necessity in the modern business world, contributing to sustainable growth and long-term success.