The Digital Europe Programme in conjunction with other EU programme funds will focus on projects that tackle the following challenges:
Supercomputing
Artificial intelligence
Cybersecurity
Advanced digital skills
Digital technologies across the economy and society through Digital Innovation Hubs.
With a total budget of € 7.5 billion, the European Commission will invest roughly € 2 billion through the first set of work programmes to boost digital skills in Europe, improving both the technological capacities of private companies and public administration as well as the general digital skills of Europeans in an increasingly technological market. The goal is to empower businesses, citizens and public administrations with digital advancements.
As Thierry Breton, Commissioner for Internal Market, said: “This is Europe's Digital Decade. By 2030, data, cloud, edge, and quantum computing will drive industrial and societal innovation, creating new business models (…)”. This set of work programmes adopted on the 10th of November is divided in the main work programme focused on Artificial intelligence (AI), cloud and data spaces, quantum communication infrastructure, advanced digital skills, and the wide use of digital technologies across the economy and society with a budget of €1.38 billion until the end of 2022.
The second work programme with a budget of €269 million which will last until the end of 2022 is focused on Cybersecurity. It will fund the creation of equipment, tools and infrastructure. In addition, the development and best use of cybersecurity-related knowledge and skills will promote the exchange of best practices and establish the high-level cybersecurity solutions across the European economy.
The European Commission is also seeking to enhance the digitalisation and technology in Europe through the third work programme by creating a European Digital Innovation Hubs network, which has been allocated a budget of €329 million, This programme will remain in effect until the end of 2023.
With the support of the Members States and regions, the purpose is to support companies and public sector organisations in the digital transformation. European Digital Innovation Hubs will strengthen the regional ecosystem and bring organisations together to make the most out of new and upcoming technologies. The Hubs will not only foster regional development but will also aim to strengthen the innovation network Europe as well as allowing each DIH to share their knowledge with one another. Once selected by the Member States, DIHs will be allowed to apply to a restricted open call that was opened on the 17th of November.
With the pending launch of the work programmes, now would be the perfect time to make the most of these funding opportunities to provide a regional, local, national and international boost to the field of digitalisation. On the 17th of November many calls for proposals were opened within these themes. For more information, click here. With its large network and proven track record, EURADA can help you to find partners for the creation of international consortia for different projects and topics. If you need help, please do not hesitate to contact our colleague Julia COLOMER.
