The development processes in the Lubelskie Region are based on the introduction of digital technologies to various aspects of life, from business to healthcare, with an emphasis on supporting the digital transformation of SMEs. These activities include mainly the document digitization, 4.0 industry solutions, cybersecurity and telemedicine. They are indicated as crucial by our stakeholders, however, the Corporate Digital Responsibility concepts are quite new but very interesting and important in the innovation-driven context and business competitive advantage.
In the Lubelskie Region, the digitalisation processes are both bottom-up and bottom-down approach. They influence the economic transformation, infrastructure development, education reinforcement, strengthening the competences of residents in use of technology and participation in digital processes. The advanced practices improve the quality of citizens’ life, facilitating access to public services, education, health and culture.
There are many activities which are supported by the public administration as the part, for example, of the European Funds for Lubelskie 2021-2027 with the Measure 2.4 “Digitalization of Lublin SMEs”. Projects related to the digital transformation of SMEs are supported, including the implementation of digital solutions, modernization of business processes and digitization of export processes. Worth-mentioning is the Lublin IT Upland project implemented by the Lublin City Office which is an initiative aimed at creating a favorable climate for the development of the IT industry in Lublin, which is currently the most dynamically developing branch of the local economy.
With reference to the bottom-up approach, there is a strong IT business environment, which operationally supports the digital implementation. The companies participate in the conferences, thematic group meetings, networking events and strategic projects. They organise the AI breakfasts, where they present and discuss the most actual themes like: artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and secure data management. Where the technology is a key to solve the most important challenges of the modern world, the COEUS project and corporate digital responsibility concepts seem to be even more important. Set of practices and behaviors that help organizations use data and digital technologies in a way that is perceived as socially, economically and environmentally responsible can answer to the most urgent regional challenges like Internet access, low digital skills or security.