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April 18, 2025

Cross-border subsidy project for SMEs KPF INDUSTR_I4.0 launched

On 17 April, the new European project KPF INDUSTR_I4.0 was launched in Münster. The INDUSTR_I4.0 'small projects fund' accelerates the digital transition within the manufacturing industry in the Dutch-German border region. This project focuses specifically on the group of SMEs seeking to catch up with the frontrunners in the field: the peloton. From now on, entrepreneurs can apply for subsidies for feasibility studies and innovation projects. A total of 10 million euros is available for this purpose. INDUSTR_I4.0 will run from 2024 to 2027 and is supported by the Interreg VI Germany-Netherlands programme. Oost NL is implementing the project.

During the kick-off meeting, representatives from both German and Dutch governments, industrial partners and stakeholders emphasised the objectives and importance of the project. Erwin Hoogland, Regional Minister for Regional Economy and Europe in Overijssel, Helga Witjes, Regional Minister for Economy in Gelderland, and Tobias Traupel, Ministerial Director at the Ministry of Economic Affairs in North Rhine-Westphalia, jointly gave the official digital starting signal.

Impact of the digital transition on SMEs

The kick-off was followed by a lively panel discussion on the importance of digitisation for SMEs. The panel consisted of Edwin Ouwejan from the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy, Nikolaus Jansen from the Weser-Ems Regional Development Agency, Ilka Meisel from the North Rhine-Westphalia Ministry of Economic Affairs, and Theo Föllings from the East Netherlands Development Agency. Moderated by Stephanie Koch, they answered questions about the challenges and opportunities for businesses in the digital transition. Jakow Smirin then demonstrated in his unique and idiosyncratic way how digital innovations, technologies of the future and, above all, AI are developing and affecting us all.

“Cooperation on digitisation for SMEs is essential. That is why we sought to connect with the Digital Summit Euregio for the kick-off. It is ideal for companies to first receive an explanation of the programme and then network with foreign parties at the Summit and gain inspiration.”

Erwin Altena, project manager KPF INDUSTR_I4.0

Innovation projects and feasibility studies

Erwin Altena, project manager at KPF INDUSTR_I4.0 Oost NL, shared the ambition behind the new project and the opportunities it offers participating SMEs. While a small proportion of the business community has benefited from support in the area of digital transition in recent years, a larger proportion is struggling to capitalise on the opportunities offered by the digital transition. The so-called 'peloton' is in danger of falling further and further behind the leading group and losing touch.

INDUSTR_I4.0 aims to change this by implementing 80 cross-border digital innovation projects and 80 feasibility studies. With its focus on the adoption and implementation of digital technology, the instrument is tailored to the target group. SMEs can now submit applications for feasibility studies and innovation projects worth up to 100,000 euros per project via the website industri4-interreg.eu.

The INDUSTR_I4 small project fund. 0 is implemented within the framework of the Interreg VI programme Germany-Netherlands and is co-financed by the European Union, MWIKE NRW, the Lower Saxony Ministry for Federal and European Affairs and Regional Development, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy, and the provinces of Fryslân, Groningen, Drenthe, Overijssel, Flevoland, Gelderland, North Brabant and Limburg. INDUSTR_I4.0 is being implemented by the following partners: NOM/TCNN, BOM, LIOF, Emsland GmbH, FH Munster/TAFH, HS Niederrhein, WIR4/MCC and Oost NL.