Frequently asked questions

  • What is a European Digital Innovation Hub (EDIH)?
  • Are there differences between the Latvian EDIHs?
  • How can I apply for support at a Latvian EDIH?
  • What clients are eligible to receive EDIH services?
  • What is the Digital Maturity Assessment, and where can it be completed?
  • What questions are included in the Digital Maturity Assessment?
  • How many times does the Digital Maturity Assessment need to be completed?
  • What services can be received from the Digital Accelerator of Latvia?
  • What is the Digital Development Roadmap, and who prepares it?
  • How much do EDIH services cost?
  • I want EDIH services. Where should I start?
  • How long is the process to access services/support?
  • Until what date can applications for digitalization support be submitted?
  • Can I develop additional features for an existing digital service/product with the support of EDIH?
  • What are the administrative evaluation criteria for EDIH services?
  • What are the qualitative evaluation criteria for EDIH services?
  • What are the terms of the EDIH cooperation agreement and supplementary agreement?

What is a European Digital Innovation Hub (EDIH)?

The European Digital Innovation Hubs are a guide or first point of support for Latvian companies, organisations and public administrations to promote the digital development of the Latvian state. The aim of the EDIH is to boost the competitiveness of companies, production processes, products or services through the use of digital technologies by providing access to technical knowledge and experimentation across Europe. Around 200 EDIH's have been set up across the EU, of which Latvia has two:
 

  • What is a European Digital Innovation Hub (EDIH)?

    The European Digital Innovation Hubs are a guide or first point of support for Latvian companies, organisations and public administrations to promote the digital development of the Latvian state. The aim of the EDIH is to boost the competitiveness of companies, production processes, products or services through the use of digital technologies by providing access to technical knowledge and experimentation across Europe. Around 200 EDIH's have been set up across the EU, of which Latvia has two:
     

  • Are there differences between the Latvian EDIHs?

    Each EDIH (European Digital Innovation Hubs Network) has differences that are important for entrepreneurs and organizations when receiving EDIH services, including the Digital Maturity Test, the Digital Development Roadmap, and applying for various state support programs. Accordingly, the test must be completed at the EDIH responsible for the specific area of activity. For example, if a company requires process digitalization, the Digital Maturity Test must be completed with the Latvian IT Cluster, while if a company plans to develop digital innovations, it should be done with the Digital Accelerator of Latvian.
     
    1. Digital Accelerator of Latvia  - specializes in creating new digital products, services, or platforms designed for commercialization or broad client engagement (such as sharing platforms), as well as in the development of innovative digital products.
    2. IT cluster - specialises in the digitisation of internal processes, mainly using solutions already on the market, e.g. in-house accounting, record-keeping system, online shop, etc.
     

  • How can I apply for support at a Latvian EDIH?

    Each of the Latvian EDIHs (European Digital Innovation Hubs Network) has its own website, where you can access the initial application form. After completing the form, an expert from the respective EDIH will contact you to discuss further collaboration. Considering the high number of applicants for both EDIHs at the moment, and the fact that this is a completely new process, we kindly ask for your understanding if responses are not immediate. Applications will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis, and each applicant will be contacted individually.

  • What clients are eligible to receive EDIH services?

    The clients eligible for EDIH services are defined in paragraph 49 of Cabinet Regulation No 577, i.e. the client is the final beneficiary who is registered:
     
    • The Register of Enterprises of the Republic of Latvia with the status of a legal entity. This includes micro, small, medium, or large businesses.
    • The Register of Associations and Foundations of the Republic of Latvia.
    • The list of public entities and institutions.
    • The Register of Scientific Institutions of the Ministry of Education and Science.

    Please note that the Cabinet of Ministers regulations also specify certain ineligible sectors, which are subject to exclusion criteria under various European Union regulations.

  • What is the Digital Maturity Assessment, and where can it be completed?

    The Digital Maturity Assessment was developed by the European Commission to identify the digital maturity of EDIH (European Digital Innovation Hubs Network) clients across the European Union over different periods. Its purpose is to assess the effectiveness of services provided by EDIHs and national support programs.

    Currently, the Digital Maturity Assessment is not publicly available. It is hosted on a European Commission platform that can only be accessed by EDIH representatives.

    ! Please note that all other digital maturity assessments developed to date are for informational purposes only and are not considered official assessments approved by the European Commission. ! 

    The Digital Maturity Assessment is available for two target groups: representatives of the private sector (micro, small, medium-sized enterprises, and large companies) and public sector institutions and organizations.

  • What questions are included in the Digital Maturity Assessment?

    "No" answers, which help determine the average status of a company or organization. This allows participants to compare themselves with other businesses or organizations in the European Union that have also completed the assessment. For more detailed information about the European Commission's assessment, you can read further click here.
     

    Additionally, each of the Latvian EDIHs (European Digital Innovation Hubs Network) has developed its own supplementary section of the assessment. These additional questions are designed to better understand client needs and to ensure the Digital Development Roadmap is tailored appropriately, offering the most suitable services.

    The European Commission's Digital Maturity Assessment for businesses consists of the following sections:

    • Digital Business Strategy: Investments in the digitalization of all business areas (past and planned), and the company’s readiness for digitalization.
    • Digital Readiness: Digital technologies and solutions, and advanced digital technologies.
    • Human-Centered Digitalization: Employee training and skill enhancement, employee engagement, and empowerment.
    • Data Management and Connectivity: Data storage, integration, access, analysis, and data security.
    • Automation and Artificial Intelligence: Technologies and company applications for automation and intelligence.
    • Green Digitalization: Environmental sustainability in business areas (green ICT) and environmental aspects of digital choices (green ICT).

  • How many times does the Digital Maturity Assessment need to be completed?

    We encourage entrepreneurs and organizations to complete the Digital Maturity Assessment with the Latvian EDIH from which they plan to receive services or support in the future. The initial assessment is completed only once to identify your current level of digitalization.

    However, after receiving support, the assessment must be repeated (one year after receiving support and two years after receiving support) to evaluate the progress in digital maturity.

  • What services can be received from the Digital Accelerator of Latvia?

    The Digital Accelerator of Latvia, as part of the European Digital Innovation Hubs Network (EDIH), offers various services (the full range of services is available here):
     
    • Testing before investment: Includes digital strategy development, digitalization projects, technological consultations, prototyping, testing, experimentation, and access to equipment and software.
    • Training and skills development: Enhancing skills through intensive courses for highly qualified company employees (e.g., AI, HPC, cybersecurity), as well as digital transformation courses for company management.
    • Funding acquisition: Consultations on funding strategies, project preparation, and monitoring.
    • Innovation ecosystem creation and networking.

    In addition, DAoL conducts Digital Maturity Assessments and develops Digital Development Roadmaps to enable companies and organizations to access support under national support programs. Currently, the relevant support program LDA collaborates with is ALTUM’s "Loans for digitalisation".

  • What is the Digital Development Roadmap, and who prepares it?

    The Digital Development Roadmap consists of recommendations and guidelines created by an EDIH expert regarding the investments needed to promote the client’s digital transformation. A sample of the Digital Development Roadmap is available in Cabinet Regulation No 577 as Annex 2. It includes an analysis of the Digital Maturity Assessment results and recommendations for accessing support programs.

    To better understand the specific needs of each client, the Digital Development Roadmap is supplemented with additional information provided by the Digital Accelerator of Latvia. This ensures a deeper understanding of client requirements and enables the provision of the most suitable services or support.

  • How much do EDIH services cost?

    All EDIH services are provided as state aid, meaning the payment for services is covered from the client's de minimis allowance (with a support intensity of 100%). If the client's de minimis allowance has been exhausted, services are provided according to the price list of the Digital Accelerator of Latvia, and the client is issued an invoice for the services. The price list and cost information are available here.

    Before any service is provided, an agreement is signed with the client. This agreement specifies the desired services, their costs, and the payment format.

  • I want EDIH services. Where should I start?

    If you wish to access EDIH services, you must initially apply to the Latvian EDIH whose services you plan to use in the future, according to the EDIH's specialization (see the related question).

     

    To apply for services at the Digital Accelerator of Latvia, please fill out the application form at https://www.digitallatvia.lv/registracija. After submitting the form, an LDA expert will contact you to agree on the format of future cooperation.

    Since the state requires a client check when receiving any state support, we will, with your agreement, perform an administrative criteria check for your company (e.g., absence of tax debts, no criminal records, availability of de minimis balance). This process may take some time.

    If all administrative criteria are met, the LDA Support Allocation Committee will decide on providing the necessary services. These include two mandatory services: the Digital Maturity Assessment and the development of the Digital Development Roadmap. A contract will be signed for the agreed service package.

    You will then complete the Digital Maturity Assessment with an EDIH expert, and within 30 days of completing the assessment, the Digital Development Roadmap will be created with your input. This roadmap will outline which services or support programs best suit your needs. Depending on the specifics and requirements, various external experts may also be involved in creating the roadmap.

    The roadmap is developed separately for each type of support. For example, one Digital Development Roadmap could be created for our services, and another for ALTUM support programs. A company may receive multiple Digital Development Roadmaps tailored to different needs.

  • How long is the process to access services/support?

    Since the European Digital Innovation Hubs are a completely new initiative, the process is still in its early stages. We kindly ask for understanding and cooperation, as we are learning and developing together with our clients.

    Currently, the estimated duration of the process depends on various factors, including collaboration with third parties, such as background checks in the Criminal Register. Therefore, the expected timeline to receive services is approximately two months. This includes up to 30 days for administrative checks, decision-making, and contract signing, followed by 30 days for the development of the Digital Development Roadmap.

  • Until what date can applications for digitalization support be submitted?

    The European Digital Innovation Hubs Network (EDIH) project will run until June 30, 2026. The same applies to the state support programs provided by ALTUM and LIAA, with the note that support will be available as long as the allocated funding lasts.

  • Can I develop additional features for an existing digital service/product with the support of EDIH?

    If the additional functionality significantly transforms the existing product/service, greatly enhances the company's competitiveness or the quality of public sector services, and can be distinguished from the core functionality of the product/service—such as adding a 3D rendering module to an existing online store to allow clients to personalize and view products in 3D—EDIH can support the research and development of such features. However, it cannot support minor changes to an existing product, such as adding a search function to an online store.

    It is also important to note that EDIH support is not direct financial support for the entrepreneur, nor does it cover work hour costs (e.g., programming costs of the company).

  • What are the administrative evaluation criteria for EDIH services?

    Administrative eligibility criteria for the final beneficiary:

     

    The eligibility of the end beneficiary for EDIH support is assessed based on the following administrative criteria:

    1. Establishment requirements:

      • The end beneficiary's legal form complies with the requirements and is established in Latvia.

    2. De minimis compliance:

      • The de minimis aid provision complies with the time limits set by regulations.
      • The total amount of aid does not exceed the maximum allowed:
        a. €200,000 as per Commission Regulation No. 1407/2013, Article 3(2), or €100,000 for freight transport.
        b. €30,000 for fisheries and aquaculture as per Commission Regulation No. 717/2014, Article 3(2).
        c. €15,000 for agriculture as per Commission Regulation No. 1408/2013, Article 3(2).
      • Aid is assessed at the unified enterprise level, in line with criteria specified in the above regulations.

    3. Unique funding rule:

      • The end beneficiary does not receive or plan to receive funding for the same eligible and non-eligible costs from other EU or public programs.

    4. Tax compliance:

      • The end beneficiary has no tax or fee debts exceeding €150, unless deferred, under an agreement, or scheduled for payment.

    5. Insolvency:

      • The end beneficiary is not under insolvency proceedings, legal protection processes, or other criteria leading to bankruptcy as defined by insolvency laws.

    6. Sanctions compliance:

      • The end beneficiary is not subject to national or international sanctions that may impact financial and capital market activities.

    7. Prohibited industries and activities:

      • The end beneficiary does not operate in sectors or activities listed as ineligible under Cabinet Regulation No. 577, including:
        • Prohibited sectors under Commission Regulations No. 1407/2013, No. 717/2014, and No. 1408/2013.
        • Arms and ammunition trade (NACE 2 classification: 47.78).
        • Gambling and betting (NACE 2 classification: Chapter 92).

    8. Public entities:

      • Public entities performing economic activities must meet specific criteria. If no economic activity is involved, support is provided from the Recovery Fund at 100%.

    9. Conflict of interest:

      • There must be no unresolved conflicts of interest between the end beneficiary and the support allocation committee members.

    10. "Do No Significant Harm" principle compliance:

      • The activity must not cause harm to:
        a. Climate change mitigation through significant greenhouse gas emissions.
        b. Adaptation to climate change by increasing adverse climate impacts.
        c. Sustainable use of water resources, including damage to water quality or ecosystems.
        d. Circular economy principles by creating inefficiencies in resource use or waste management.
        e. Pollution prevention by significantly increasing emissions.
        f. Biodiversity and ecosystems through habitat destruction or endangerment of species.

    These criteria ensure that EDIH support is directed appropriately and complies with EU regulations and sustainability principles.

  • What are the qualitative evaluation criteria for EDIH services?

    Qualitative eligibility criteria for the final beneficiary:
     

    The eligibility of the end beneficiary for EDIH support is assessed based on the following qualitative criteria:

    Technology

    • The required support for the end beneficiary is related to digital transformation and the implementation of digital innovations.
    • The submitted documents, Digital Maturity Assessment, and Digital Development Roadmap demonstrate that the planned concept for digital transformation through a new digital product/service is feasible.
    • The end beneficiary plans to carry out one of the following activities:
      • Design, prototyping, testing, and implementation of new digital platforms, products, or services.
      • Development of technologies such as artificial intelligence, 5G, or public sector digital technologies (AI R&D, 5G, GovTech).

    Team

    • The end beneficiary’s team has experience and expertise in implementing new digital products/services, including at least a two-person team.
    • The team has sufficient technological knowledge and skills for digital product/service development.

    Business uniqueness

    • The introduction of a new digital product/service will increase the end beneficiary’s revenue, productivity, or competitiveness (if applicable).
    • The implementation of a new digital solution will improve the quality of public sector services (if applicable).

    Market and finances

    • The end beneficiary has customers and revenue. They can demonstrate sufficient capital for the planned development or provide evidence of access to adequate capital for growth.
    • The market in which the end beneficiary operates is growing or large enough to support their further growth. The end beneficiary provides evidence of strategies and potential for future growth.
    • Submitted documents show that the market competitiveness of the new digital product/service has been evaluated, with evidence that it will benefit customers or society.
    • There is potential for exporting new digital platforms, products, or services.

  • What are the terms of the EDIH cooperation agreement and supplementary agreement?

    For the allocated support, a cooperation agreement and supplementary agreement for specific support services are concluded between the end beneficiary, the Digital Accelerator of Latvia regional contact point, and, if necessary, the Digital Accelerator of Latvia partner.
     

Co-financed by the European Union project "Digital Accelerator of Latvia", DAoL, ID no. 101083718 and the European Union Recovery and Resilience Facility plan ID Nr. 2.2.1.1.i.0/1/23/I/CFLA/002.

Funded by the European Union and NextGenerationEU. However, the views and opinions expressed are solely those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the European Commission is responsible for them.

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