Addressing major challenges in ecological transition, digital transformation, European technological autonomy, and global supply chain tensions, the NAIA project (New Approach to Cross-Border Innovation in Advanced and Sustainable Electronics) has been launched. It aims to leverage cooperation between the Basque Country and Nouvelle-Aquitaine as a driver for industrial innovation and economic development.
Supported by the Interreg POCTEFA 2021-2027 program and co-financed by the European Union, NAIA will develop over three years the first cross-border technological platform specializing in sustainable electronics. This collaborative infrastructure will connect the electronic ecosystems of both territories, bringing together companies, technology centers, universities, public administrations, and training institutions to pool expertise, develop joint projects, and accelerate knowledge transfer to businesses.
Led by AGUILA Technology, the project involves five key partners: Cluster GAIA, ESTIA Institute of Technology, the Basque Government (through the Department of Education and Don Bosco), and the Rectorate of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine Academic Region. Over 36 months, the consortium will work to consolidate this common technological platform, thereby strengthening the economic, industrial, and technological integration of the cross-border area.
The 'Common Space' will focus on three strategic technological domains: breakthrough electronics (microelectronics, chips, semiconductors), cognitive manufacturing (advanced robotics, smart manufacturing processes), and connected intelligence (industrial automation, smart industry). Beyond easier access to technological infrastructure, it will help companies identify available skills, products, services, and projects on both sides of the border, fostering alliances that were previously difficult to establish.
Furthermore, the NAIA project aims to strengthen the territory's industrial and technological sovereignty, promote the creation of new industrial activities and skilled jobs, accelerate the transition to more sustainable electronics based on circular economy principles, and facilitate technology transfer to businesses, supporting SME transformation through new skills development.
A key pillar is talent development, essential for meeting the growing demand for specialized profiles. NAIA will foster joint training initiatives between the Basque Country and Nouvelle-Aquitaine, promoting specialized workshops, shared programs, student exchanges, and new initiatives to anticipate future industry skill needs. The project builds on a preliminary diagnosis of existing skills, infrastructure, and needs in both regions to design a new cross-border collaboration model.
Ultimately, the project aims to lay the foundation for a cross-border ecosystem that positions the Euroregion as a leading European territory in advanced and sustainable electronics. Cristina Murillo, Deputy General Director of Cluster GAIA, highlights that NAIA represents a significant opportunity to advance collaboration, enabling companies to access new innovation opportunities and accelerate project development through shared resources.
