DIGITAL REGIONS project partners are currently implementing their Regional Action Plans (RAP) to best adapt innovation policies to support the manufacturing sector as a result of the emergence of Industry 4.0. This week we speak with Jorge Muyo, General Director Innovation, Technological Development and Industrial Entrepreneurship at Regional Government of Cantabria (Spain).


What is the main action of your Regional Action Plan?

Our RAP, “FAST TRACK TOOL FOR DIGITALISATION OF SMES (FTFDS)” has as main target to reach the digitalisation of different regional companies from different sectors, in order to acquire not only the necessary equipment to achieve this digital level, but also the training aspects and the interaction with other digital enablers at regional level.

What will your organisation achieve with its implementation?

Implementing the RAP will give us various following results, such as, to try to accelerate the investment of companies in the region, especially SMEs in Cantabria of all productive sectors, promoting the efficient use of aid for the development and implementation of new technologies in traditional production systems. Also, to increase the number of employees who possess the necessary skills to be able to develop their skills in the productive environment demanded by advanced manufacturing. In addition, to create an environment in which companies know the potential in the implementation of advanced manufacturing technologies in their production, management and manufacturing systems.

What are going to be the next steps during the following months of the project until the end of Phase 2?

After the initial analysis and the roadmap developed in this first stage with the interaction of technology enablers as well as different users from different industrial areas, we are going to launch a number of pilots with regional companies in order to reach the objectives of the RAP. We have started with the interaction from the regional clusters and we will continue with different levels of industrial and business associations.

Would you like to highlight some unforeseen results?

We have seen a wide capacity of development of technology tools using the technology vouchers scheme within our regional ecosystem. At the same, we have seen a high level of commitment of local clusters as other stakeholders from the Industry 4.0 Ecosystem. We have seen the interest of all relevant players when sharing concepts and future projects in the first analysis of the RAP action.

Would you like to add any other relevant information?

As a proof of this high-level of commitment showed by all regional stakeholders in the Industry 4.0 thematic area, and as a part of the presentation of the RAP, we have had a thorough analysis of the most important players with the following results. Participants in the process to evaluate and to put into shape the RAP: Total number: 31.

  • Companies: 12
  • Clusters: 3
  • Public administration: 4
  • Citizenship: 3
  • University: 9

As well as the number of thematic areas and pilot projects proposed, which are the following:

  • Development of a high class IT training centre.
  • Cibersecutiry and supercomputing regional centre.
  • Industry 4.0 standards for the predictive maintenance tasks.
  • FabLab Industry 4.0.


Find here Government of Cantabria's Regional Action Plan.