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Innovation

In focus
Story
04 February 2026

Romania bolsters digital defences with new data centres

Cybersecurity problems can disrupt many services in a city, from healthcare and sanitation to transportation. In the South-Muntenia region of Romania, a new data centre will consolidate hundreds of fragmented government IT systems, boost digital security and improve services for nearly 300,000 people. This centre is the first of several planned by the Romanian government, serving as a model for nationwide coverage.

Story
22 May 2024

From coal mining to data mining

Discover how Ostrava is transitioning from its coal mining heritage to a digital future with support from JASPERS experts, as part of the EIB Advisory Services. This initiative, backed by the Just Transition Fund, focuses on developing the Black Cube, a state-of-the-art multi-purpose building. Learn about the technical challenges, innovative solutions, and strategic planning involved in creating a digital hub for culture, education, and research. Understand how these efforts are set to drive Ostrava's digital transformation and economic diversification.

Story
07 January 2024

Sligo: Growing a smart, green and livable city for the North-West of Ireland

Read how Sligo, Ireland, is transforming into a smart, green, and livable city with the support of JASPERS experts, as part of the EIB Advisory Services. Our urban and innovation experts supported the implementation the Sligo 2030 plan, which integrates advanced digital and green technologies to enhance urban development. Learn about the technical challenges, innovative solutions, and strategic planning involved in creating a sustainable and inclusive urban environment. Understand how these efforts are set to drive economic growth, improve quality of life, and position Sligo as a regional hub for innovation and development.

Focus areas

Health, education and social services 

A healthy, well-educated workforce is essential for a country’s skills formation, ultimately driving societal development. 

However, ensuring universal access to quality healthcare, adaptable education and social protection is a major challenge.

JASPERS support in this area often encompasses:

  • Building, refurbishing, expanding and equipping educational facilities like schools and universities
  • Making the best use of state-of-the-art knowledge to promote innovation
  • Promoting resources and talent to build skills and reward excellence in teaching

The European Union’s competitiveness and cohesion depend on its ability to innovate.

Research is key to developing our economy and society, especially in industries that are competitive or where significant growth is needed.

JASPERS can help you:

  • Build or expand research facilities to promote innovation
  • Build science and technology parks and create other innovation infrastructure to support new industries and increase competitiveness
  • Promote innovative, green solutions and productive investment

Digital and information and communications technology (ICT), including broadband

Digital holds enormous potential — and enormous challenges, too. Digital transformation must be done in a way that narrows the digital divide, makes the internet safe and secure, and adresses the growing problems of digital energy consumption.

JASPERS can help you prepare projects to:

  •  Upgrade and extend broadband networks to increase connection speed, reach rural areas and promote social cohesion
  • Develop data centres and platforms to support digital services like e-Health, e-Government and e-Procurement