Integrative Regional Approaches for the Transformation of the Automotive Industry

Acronym: Drive2Transform
Framework: Interreg Central Europe
Duration of the project: 01.06.2024 - 30.11.2026

Aim of the project:

The aim of the Drive2Transform project is to facilitate the transformation of the automotive industry in Central Europe, addressing the significant challenges posed by climate change, emerging technologies, and global competition. This project aims to support businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), to adapt to key trends such as electrification, connectivity, automation, and the platform economy. By doing so, it seeks to ensure the sustainability and competitiveness of the European automotive industry. The project employs a collaborative, cross-regional strategy to harness the strengths of eight Central European countries with a strong industrial background in the automotive sector. The main component of this strategy is the Transnational Automotive Open Transformation Platform, which includes a readiness model, transformation scenarios, capacity building measures, exploitation cases, and support strategies for SMEs. This initiative aims to create a holistic perspective on industry transformation, leveraging the expertise of various regional stakeholders and fostering innovation through technology-driven solutions. The project also emphasizes the importance of transnational cooperation and aims to have a lasting, sustainable impact on the automotive industry by disseminating best practices and successful transformation models across Europe​​.

 

Project partners:

• R-Tech GmbH (DE) - lead partner
• Business Upper Austria - OÖ Wirtschaftsagentur GmbH (AT)
• Regional Development Agency of the Pilsen Region (CZ)
• Pforzheim University (DE)
• Pannon Business Network Association (HU)
• NOI S.p.A (IT)
• Katowice Special Economic Zone SA (PL)
• Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia (SI)
• SEVA – Slovak Electric Vehicle Association (SK)​​

Activity of PBN:

PBN is the leader of Work Package 1, which focuses on developing analyses, scenarios, and a transnational automotive transformation platform. PBN contributes significantly to workshops, conferences, and training schemes, enhancing the skills and knowledge of SMEs and other stakeholders in the automotive sector. Additionally, PBN plays an active role in developing use cases and participating in thematic platforms, helping to shape the transnational exploitation plan by creating and implementing practical strategies that businesses can adopt. Represented on the Advisory Board by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Vas County, PBN ensures that their contributions align with the broader strategic goals of Drive2Transform.

 
Budget in Euro:
Project overall budget: 1 781 745 EUR
Total ERDF funding: 1 425 396 EUR
PBN's ERDF funding: 143 640 EUR
 
Project homepage: https://www.interreg-central.eu/projects/drive2transform/
Program homepage: https://www.interreg-central.eu/
Project manager: Zsófia Kocsis (zsofia.kocsis@pbn.hu)

Project co-funded by European Regional Development Fund.