The European Commission has approved a substantial €1.3 billion investment package aimed at bolstering Europe’s technological capabilities and digital sovereignty. The funding, allocated through the Digital Europe Programme (DIGITAL) work programme for 2025-2027, will focus on critical technologies including artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and digital skills development.
The investment represents a significant step in Europe’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its competitive position in the global technology landscape while ensuring the continent’s tech sovereignty in strategically important sectors.
“This investment demonstrates our commitment to positioning Europe at the forefront of the digital revolution,” said a Commission spokesperson. “By focusing on artificial intelligence, cloud computing, cyber resilience, and digital skills, we’re laying the groundwork for sustainable digital growth across the EU.”
Key Investment Areas
The work programme outlines several strategic priorities:
- Generative AI Applications: Funding will support the development and accessibility of AI applications, particularly in healthcare. This includes testing immersive “virtual worlds” environments, implementing the AI Act, and creating energy-efficient data spaces. These initiatives support the broader AI Factories initiative aimed at developing generative AI models for business and public sector use.
- European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs): The programme will strengthen the network of hubs providing businesses and public organizations with technical expertise, technology testing capabilities, and skills training to adopt cutting-edge technologies.
- Destination Earth Initiative: Additional funding will enhance this award-winning initiative that aims to build a comprehensive digital model of Earth to support climate adaptation and disaster risk management efforts.
- Cybersecurity Enhancements: Solutions such as the EU Cybersecurity Reserve will be developed to improve the resilience and security of critical infrastructure, including hospitals and submarine communication cables.
- Digital Skills Development: The programme will invest in EU education and training institutions to develop digital skills capabilities, nurture talent, and strengthen advanced skills across the European workforce.
- EU Digital Identity Wallet: Funding will facilitate the new EU Digital Identity Wallet architecture and European Trust Infrastructure, promoting its adoption across Member States.
- Digital Public Services: The programme aims to stimulate public sector transformation through the development of efficient, high-quality, interoperable digital services.
Innovation efforts will be further accelerated by the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP), which awards quality labels to promising projects to enhance their access to both public and private funding.
Next Steps
The first DIGITAL calls under this work programme are expected to be released in April 2025, with additional calls to be published throughout the year. Interested parties can consult the EU Funding & Tenders Portal for information on open calls.
The funding will be available to businesses, public administrations, and other eligible entities from EU Member States, EFTA/EEA countries, and nations associated with the DIGITAL programme.
If you are looking for proposal partners, don’t hesitate to contact us and habe a look at our portfolio of projects.
Background
The DIGITAL programme represents the EU’s first funding initiative entirely dedicated to bringing digital technology to businesses and citizens. With a total budget of €8.1 billion under the current Multiannual Financial Framework 2021-2027, it plays a crucial role in shaping Europe’s digital transformation.
The programme complements investments under other EU initiatives, including Horizon Europe, EU4Health, InvestEU, the Connecting Europe Facility, and investments through the Recovery and Resilience Facility.
