The European Commission has announced a €1.3 billion investment to support critical digital technologies that are vital to Europe’s future and its tech sovereignty. This funding is
part of the 2025–2027 work programme under the Digital Europe Programme (DIGITAL), adopted today.
The programme targets key areas such as artificial intelligence (AI), cloud and data technologies, cybersecurity, and digital skills, aiming to accelerate their deployment and adoption across the EU.
Key focus areas
Generative AI and Virtual Worlds: Funding will enhance access to generative AI, particularly in healthcare and social services. Investments will also support testing virtual environments, enforcing the AI Act, and establishing energy-efficient data spaces. These efforts are part of the broader AI Factories initiative, aimed at helping businesses and the public sector harness AI tools.
Support for Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs): These hubs provide businesses and public entities with access to advanced tech expertise, training, and testing facilities. The goal is to speed up AI adoption across sectors.
Destination Earth Initiative: This award-winning project is building a digital twin of Earth to support climate resilience and disaster planning. New funding will help scale the platform for broader research use.
Cyber Resilience: The EU will strengthen its cybersecurity infrastructure, including the EU Cybersecurity Reserve, to better protect essential services like hospitals and undersea communication cables.
Advanced Digital Skills: Investments will boost the capabilities of European education and training institutions, helping them attract talent and equip the workforce with cutting-edge digital skills.
Digital Identity and Trust Infrastructure: The Commission will push forward the development and adoption of the EU Digital Identity Wallet and a shared European trust framework.
Smarter Public Services: Funding will support the transformation of public administrations, enabling them to deliver efficient, interoperable, high-quality digital services.
Accelerating Innovation with STEP: The Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP) will label promising projects with the STEP Seal, making it easier for them to access both public and private funding.
What’s next?
The first calls for proposals under the new DIGITAL work programme are expected in April 2025, with more opportunities rolling out throughout the year. Interested parties—including businesses, public bodies, and institutions from EU Member States, EFTA/EEA countries, and DIGITAL-associated nations—can find updates on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal.
About the programme
The Digital Europe Programme is the EU’s first initiative fully dedicated to deploying digital technologies for the benefit of citizens and businesses. Backed by a total budget of €8.1 billion for 2021–2027, it complements other major EU programmes like Horizon Europe, EU4Health, InvestEU, and the Recovery and Resilience Facility, ensuring a broad and coordinated approach to Europe’s digital transformation. Photo by mikemacmarketing, Wikimedia commons.