Coalition for Regional Development -
„Smart Transylvania”
Regional hub for accelerating intelligent, digital and sustainable development in the North-West Region, through private initiatives, strategic partnerships and professional expertise.
Who we are
Context: The North-West Region of Romania needs a development structure adapted to the real needs of the private sector, capable of generating and supporting integrated initiatives in the fields of innovation, digitalization, entrepreneurship and internationalization.
The Coalition for Regional Development – „Smart Transylvania" (CDR-ST) is a non-profit structure without legal personality, built from a consortium of private entities in the North-West Region of Romania.
CDR-ST is not a public institution and does not substitute the responsibilities of regional authorities. It is a private, complementary actor, created to generate and support integrated initiatives in innovation, digitalization, entrepreneurship and internationalization.
Who can become a member
Membership in the Coalition can be obtained exclusively by legal entities with a role in representing the interests of economic actors and/or civil society in the North-West Region.
Clusters
Professional associations
Chambers of Commerce
Non-Governmental Organizations
Private Research Organizations
Innovation and Technology Transfer Centres
Hub Networks
Regional Cooperation Platforms
Governance
Organization and governance
Coalition coordination
Coordination is provided by a Strategic Council composed of 9 members elected by vote, exclusively from among the designated representatives of founding and/or affiliated members.
Functions of the Strategic Council:
- Sets and updates the Coalition's strategic directions;
- Approves annual plans and the Coalition's budget;
- Evaluates the Coalition's activity;
- Approves the admission of new members.
Executive management – 5-year mandate
The representation and executive management of the Coalition are entrusted to the Association "Transilvania Inteligentă" / "Smart Transylvania", through a 5-year contract, automatically renewed upon approval of the Annual Activity Plan. The contract includes clear guarantees regarding transparency, performance and strategic control, maintaining the balance between executive efficiency and democratic oversight by the members.
Integrity guarantees:
- Mandatory annual reporting and minimum performance indicators;
- Possibility of revocation by a 2/3 vote of the members;
- Declarations to avoid conflicts of interest;
- Transparency in fund management and decision-making;
- Periodic internal audit and consultations with Coalition members.
Management Board of the "Smart Transylvania" Association
The Management Board of the "Transilvania Inteligentă" / "Smart Transylvania" Association implements the decisions of the General Assembly and has the following composition:
Oana Raita
President
Horațiu Felix Arion
Vicepresident
Ania-Ioana Pașcalău
Vicepresident
Ciprian Morcan
Vicepresident
Bianca Muntean
Vicepresident
Mădălina Smochină
Vicepresident
Direction
Mission and Objectives
Coalition mission
To accelerate the sustainable, digital and intelligent development of the North-West Region of Romania, through private initiatives, strategic partnerships and professional expertise.
Main objectives:
- Creating a regional collaboration framework;
- Coordinating and/or implementing strategic projects of regional interest;
- Representing and supporting regional entrepreneurship;
- Facilitating the internationalization of regional partners, especially companies;
- Providing technical and strategic assistance to local, national and European authorities;
- Fulfilling other objectives established through proposals of the Strategic Council and approved by Coalition members.
Services
Main functions and services offered by CDR-ST
Advocacy & Lobby
- representing the interests of the private sector within regional governance
Policy Lab
- organizing thematic consultations and developing alternative public policy proposals
Investment Promotion
- territorial promotion, regional branding and facilitating relations with partners, funders and investors
Project Factory
- developing collaborative projects at regional, national and European level
Innovation & Digital Transformation
- support programs for innovation and digitalization of companies
Education & Reskilling
- developing and strengthening key regional competences
Resources
Coalition funding
CDR-ST's funding model combines private and European sources to ensure long-term sustainability and operational independence.
- Member fees and contributions;
- Sponsorships and donations for thematic campaigns;
- Service contracts (technical assistance and/or studies);
- European projects (Horizon Europe, COSME, Digital Europe, Interreg, DEP, Erasmus+, etc.);
- Grants from international foundations (e.g. EEA Grants);
- Other funding sources through national and/or international grants.
Roadmap
Development stages
- Establishment of the Consortium and signing of the association agreement;
- Conclusion of the mandate contract with the Association "Transilvania Inteligentă" / "Smart Transylvania";
- Official launch and operationalization of the executive structure;
- Development of the 5-year strategic plan and mobilization of the necessary resources;
- Implementation of activities and periodic reporting to the Strategic Council / Association members.
Partnership
Relationship with the North-West Regional Development Agency (ADR NV)
Collaboration principles
CDR-ST does not aim to substitute the public responsibilities of ADR Nord-Vest, but to act in a complementary manner, in the logic of a regional public-private partnership. The relationship will be built on clear principles of collaboration and transparency.
- Collaboration within working groups and in the consultation process regarding the Smart Specialization Strategy and other regional strategic documents;
- Participation in initiatives coordinated by ADR Nord-Vest (regional innovation ecosystems, digitalization, vocational training);
- Forwarding to ADR Nord-Vest the proposals, needs and projects collected from the private sector;
- Cooperation for attracting investments and the international promotion of the North-West Region.
Formal framework
The possibility of concluding a collaboration protocol that defines the formal framework of the institutional relationship.
CDR „Smart Transylvania”
An intelligent and agile development hub, led by the private sector, for the benefit of the entire North-West Region.
The mandate granted to the Association "Transilvania Inteligentă" / "Smart Transylvania" represents an instrument of stability and efficiency, balanced by clear mechanisms of control and continuous evaluation by the Strategic Council / Association members.