The MANTRA Project was represented at the International Conference on Industry of the Future and Smart Manufacturing (ISM) in Malta, on 13-14 November 2025, by Alessia Menduni, Business Development and Innovation Manager at EIT Manufacturing South . Alessia participated in the panel “Bridging the Research & Innovation Ecosystem”, where she shared EIT Manufacturing’s experience in supporting European Manufacturing SMEs.   EIT Manufacturing and the MANTRA Project played an active role in the discussions, underscoring the importance of innovation, education, and collaborative ecosystems in advancing Europe’s industrial transition. Their participation added valuable perspectives to an event that brings together experts, practitioners, and innovators to explore cutting-edge developments in smart manufacturing. As the Industry 4.0/5.0 landscape continues to evolve, the transformation of how we design, manufacture, and deliver products is accelerating. Digitalisation is driving significant productivity gains, altering long-standing business models, and redefining the competencies needed within today’s industrial workforce. The increased support from the Enterprice Europe Network for the MANTRA initiative this year fostered new avenues for cooperation, insightful knowledge exchange, and a more comprehensive look at the project’s purpose and contributions.    

The MANTRA consortium gathered in Porto this week for the project’s General Assembly, hosted by INESC TECT. The meeting brought partners together to review the progress of the first year of the project, share insights, and align on the next steps to support the green and digital transformation of European manufacturing SMEs. Hosted in a highly collaborative atmosphere, the meeting focused on key developments within the project and on strengthening cooperation across work packages. Partners discussed the first learnings from MANTRA’s activities and explored how to maximise impact for SMEs across Europe in the coming months. A highlight of the agenda was a workshop of Enterprise Europe Network’s services by ENN Portugal advisor and INESC TEC researcher, Cristina Maria Barbosa, with a particular focus on possible collaborative activities between MANTRA and EEN. Her input sparked rich discussions on practical challenges, opportunities, and the type of support SMEs need most. Looking ahead, the consortium is now preparing for the next phase of MANTRA, during which the first 25 out of 50 manufacturing SMEs will be supported through tailored services, collaboration with tech-savvy SMEs, and access to funding for implementing their transformation roadmaps. As MANTRA enters its second year, the project is excited to start sharing initial results and success stories, and to continue empowering European manufacturing SMEs to drive green and digital transformation through advanced technologies and social innovation.        

The MANTRA project was proudly represented at the Metal Matters Conference, organised by AMIRES and Brain4Industry, which brought together leading experts, companies, and innovation actors in the field of metal additive manufacturing (AM). Carolina Sanfona from Zabala Innovation (Spain), the coordinator of the MANTRA project, participated in the event to present MANTRA’s objectives, activities, and opportunities for collaboration. During her presentation, Carolina introduced the MANTRA project, promoted the webinars for the Open Call, and engaged with representatives from across the European metal AM community, including key industry players. The Metal Matters Conference offered a valuable platform for knowledge exchange and networking, allowing participants to explore the latest technological developments, innovation trends, and policy directions shaping the metal manufacturing sector. One of the main insights from the discussions was that digital and industrial transformation must extend beyond technology alone. For transformation to be truly effective and sustainable, it is essential to focus on the social dimension — preparing people and organisations to embrace change, adapt to new processes, and contribute to a more resilient industrial ecosystem. Through events like Metal Matters, MANTRA continues to build connections with the European manufacturing community, promoting collaboration, innovation, and social readiness for digital transformation. A big thank you to AMIRES and Brain4Industry for organising such an inspiring and valuable event!