• Belgium

Европейски DIGITAL SME Alliance (DIGITAL SME)

European DIGITAL SME Alliance is the largest network of ICT small- and medium-sized enterprises in Europe, representing about 45,000 digital SMEs. Belgium-based Alliance is the joint effort of 30 national and regional SME associations from EU member states and neighbouring countries to put digital SME at the centre of the EU agenda.

DIGITAL SME develops positions on behalf of its members and contributes to policy discussions on a European level. It promotes the interests and positions of digital SMEs focusing on seven policy priorities: artificial intelligence, digitalisation, ICT standards, digital skills, cybersecurity & data protection, intellectual property and future technologies.

DIGITAL SME has been at the centre of AI community outreach through both policy and project activities with expertise in project management, policy and technical knowledge and wide community. To achieve this, DIGITAL SME is continuously working with its members and stakeholders to develop positions and follow the developments of AI policy processes through its Focus Group on AI, which was born as a joint initiative of DIGITAL SME and the EC’s Joint Research Centre, and currently is sustained by DIGITAL SME in partnership with the EIT Digital. In this group, SMEs with AI expertise gather to network, identify key issues to AI adoption and development, and to bring visibility to these key issues. Members of the group work together to address the EC and regulators with experiences, problems and critical issues to lead new beneficial policy initiatives.

DIGITAL SME is also participating in European projects addressing the gaps in the European AI ecosystem. Currently, DIGITAL SME is a part of such European projects as ARISA, a four-year Erasmus+ project supporting the implementation of the Pact for Skills by developing a sectoral skills strategy on AI. In ARISA, DIGITAL SME leads and coordinates the Work Package on long term sustainability and contributes to the development of needs analysis methodology and research. In the Horizon Europe project AI4Europe, DIGITAL SME is co-leading the Working Package on Research Applied to Innovation, which will engage the scientific community on innovation of AI to define challenges and needs and to ensure that the platform provides clear paths to scientists and young researchers.

Lastly, DIGITAL SME is involved in the Digital Skills and Jobs Platform, a one-stop-shop for anything offered in the EU on digital skills and Jobs, by leading the work on fostering community engagement, organisation of workshops to create synergies with all digital skills stakeholders.

Experts

Loredana Bucseneanu

Project Manager

Loredana Bucseneanu has over seven years of experience coordinating and implementing EU-funded projects, including Erasmus+, Horizon2020, and AMIF. She leads exploitation and sustainability activities for the Erasmus blueprint project “Artificial Intelligence Skills Alliance” (ARISA) and manages AI community engagement under the AI4Europe project. Loredana’s expertise in AI-focused initiatives strengthens the GenAISA project’s impact and outreach.

Caterina Bortolaso

Senior Expert

Caterina Bortolaso coordinates the Working Group Skills and the Focus Group Smart Communities within DIGITAL SME. She also leads the Digital Large Scale Partnership under the Pact for Skills. With extensive experience in managing EU-funded projects, particularly under the Erasmus+ program, Caterina plays a key role in advancing the GenAISA project’s objectives in skills development and digital transformation.

Justina Bieliauskaite

Senior Expert

Justina Bieliauskaite oversees the acquisition and implementation of EU-funded projects, including Erasmus+, Horizon Europe, and the Digital Europe Program, with 18 active projects currently under her supervision. She specializes in communication, stakeholder engagement, SME needs research, and policy recommendations. Additionally, Justina leads expert working groups on digitalization, Digital Innovation Hubs, and EU funding for innovation, bringing strategic expertise to the GenAISA project.

Lucas Asmelash

Communications Officer

Lucas Asmelash serves as DIGITAL SME’s Communications Officer, leveraging his experience in media and press relations. He has previously worked with the President of the European Council’s department and the NGO Search for Common Ground in Senegal. Lucas plays a vital role in managing communication strategies for the GenAISA project.