Calabrian manufacturers kick off their innovation pathway with EIT Manufacturing South and Unioncamere Calabria

The integrated pathway on 5.0 technologies, open innovation and EU funding started on 24 September in Lamezia Terme, at Unioncamere Calabria. Next up: two days of hands-on technology sessions in October.

The integrated pathway “Accelerating competitiveness and innovation: 5.0 technologies, open innovation and access to EU funds” began as planned on 24 September. EIT Manufacturing South runs the programme with Unioncamere Calabria as part of the Enterprise Europe Network activities.

The pathway helps Calabrian SMEs turn innovation into concrete, fundable projects. It combines training, one-to-one assessment and direct contact with startups and technology providers, so each participating company can move from understanding a technology to testing it in its own production processes.

The opening workshop gave participants an overview of the main European funding opportunities – EIT, Horizon Europe and cascade funding – along with practical strategies for spotting the right calls, joining European networks and building strong proposals.

What’s next

The technology training continues with four in-person sessions based on real use cases and demonstrations:

• 15 October – Open innovation, design thinking and SME-startup collaboration; XR and virtual worlds for prototyping, quality control and immersive training
• 22 October – 3D printing: industrial applications, process integration and cost-benefit; AI and data for manufacturing

In October and November, EIT Manufacturing South experts will run individual assessments with up to ten companies, analysing processes, skills and technologies and delivering a short report with priorities, a development roadmap and pointers to relevant EU funding opportunities.

The pathway will close in January–February 2027 with a matchmaking event featuring pitches, one-to-one meetings and networking with startups and technology providers, aimed at launching proofs of concept and EU-funded projects.