SMART GROWTH INDICATORS IN ROMANIA. FROM EXPERIMENTAL INNOVATION TO ROUTINE IMPLEMENTATION

This paper evaluates the effects of EU Structural Funds in Romania by comparing ten key indicators across the 20072013 (2015 - N+2) and 2014-2020 (2023 - N+3) programming periods. Using national and European data and ratiobased formulas, the study documents significant shifts: a noticeable decline in the digitalization ratio and start-up creation rate, contrasted by strong gains in fund-absorption speed and overall project volume. The findings highlight Romania’s enhanced administrative capacity, yet they reveal persistent challenges in early-stage innovation, SME efficiency and urban-rural equity. The insights offer a data-driven foundation for policy optimization, guiding targeted interventions to promote digital uptake, entrepreneurial activity and balanced regional development.