EU Funding

A company between the Danube and the sea: funding digitalization in the region that has not fired the starting gun

The South-East tests patience harder than any region: its SME digitalization call is still only an estimate in the programme calendar. This guide shows what to do with the wait — and around it.

Northdan Soft is a software supplier, not a funding consultancy, and is not affiliated with any managing authority or development agency. Programme information is indicative — always check the conditions in the programme's official applicant guide.

Companies in Brăila, Buzău, Constanța, Galați, Tulcea and Vrancea live a calendar paradox: the regional call dedicated to SME digitalization (Action 1.3) remains unlaunched in mid-2026, despite an announced target of early in the year — yet that very delay makes it one of the few regional digitalization windows in Romania still intact. Our recommendation is to manage the wait on three levels. Level one, the regional numbers as published: the programme calendar updated on 15 July 2026 puts Action 1.3, Digitalization of SMEs in the South-East Region, at a total budget of €9,090,204 (€7,726,673 ERDF), plus a separate €1,572,114 envelope for the ITI Danube Delta area, both estimated to open in September 2026 and close in December 2026, subject to approval of the de minimis aid scheme. Competitiveness call 1.6 A.2 is no longer receiving projects — the Managing Authority publishes its evaluation, selection and contracting status, last updated in July 2026. Level two, active nationally: POCIDIF 2.1 (the Smart Growth, Digitalization and Financial Instruments Programme) for companies with technology CAEN codes, until 30 September 2026; the MEDAT sessions by business profile; and for Galați, a just-transition county, the extra PTJ channel (Programul Tranziție Justă, the Just Transition Programme) — a local particularity worth exploiting. Level three, preparation for 1.3: project defined, software budget breakdown built, administrative documents clarified — updatable the day the final guide appears. One thing we do not recommend: freezing every investment until the call arrives — fast-payback digitalization (inventory, invoicing, online sales) pays for itself faster than calls get launched in the South-East.

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How we help

Three levels, worked in parallel

The published regional numbers, the national routes and the preparation for 1.3 — a complete picture instead of a single card played.

Galați and the Just Transition card

Companies in Galați hold the just-transition channel on top of what their neighbours have — we build it explicitly into their funding plan.

First at the start when 1.3 launches

A technical dossier prepared in advance means submitting in the first week — historically, exactly the profile of the winners.

Frequently asked questions

We run a guesthouse on the Black Sea coast — which digital funding fits us?

For booking systems, channel management and operational automation, watch regional call 1.3 at launch — €9,090,204 for the region plus €1,572,114 for the ITI Danube Delta area, both estimated to open in September 2026 subject to approval of the de minimis scheme. On the national side, of the MEDAT programmes only SME Eco-Tech was taking applications at our 30 July 2026 check. Competitiveness call 1.6 is closed and now in evaluation, so it is no longer a route.

Port logistics company in Constanța: wait for 1.3 or go national?

With port volumes, probably do not wait: logistics management systems pay back quickly, and if the project is large and innovative, POCIDIF 2.1 (with the right CAEN code) offers €200,000 to €1,500,000 for a software result and a certain window until 30 September 2026. The regional 1.3 call remains an option for additional modules once its guide is published.

How do we hear first when call 1.3 launches in the South-East?

The official source is regiosudest.ro, in two places: the Ghiduri section under Prioritatea 1, where the applicant guide appears, and the Calendar lansări apeluri section, where each revision of the indicative calendar is dated. We re-read both monthly and show the verification date on this page.