Digital Europe funding: State of play

Last December, the European Parliament and the Council finally agreed on the legislation establishing Digital Europe. Digital Europe is an EU funding programme that aims to strengthen the following capacities in Europe: High-Performance Computing, AI, Cybersecurity, Digital skills, Access to digital technologies.

The proposed budget for 2021-2027 is 7,58 billion euros, with the following distribution:

-High-Performance Computing (€2.2 billion)

-Artificial Intelligence (€2 billion)

-Cybersecurity (€1.6 billion)

-Advanced digital skills (€577 million)

-Ensuring a wide use of digital technologies across the economy and society (€1 billion)

In a recent publication, the European Commission explains that “Digital Europe will contribute to the deployment of high impact projects that aim to build on Europe’s strengths and ensure robust European industrial and technology coverage of key parts of the digital supply chain through public and private effort.”

Examples of High impact projects include:

-World-leading computing and data processing capacities: HPC and Quantum

- European low-power microprocessor initiative

-Artificial intelligence

-Cybersecurity shield: Quantum communication infrastructure (EuroQCI)

-5G and beyond: towards smart high-speed cross-border connectivity networks

-European Blockchain Services Infrastructure

-Linking international and national environmental data to fight climate change

-Digital Innovation Hubs: Enabling SMEs to benefit from the digital transformation

Artificial Intelligence

During the first two years of the programme, Digital Europe will support the establishment of EU-wide common data spaces and develop large-scale testing and experimentation facilities.

Cybersecurity

During the first two years of the programme, Digital Europe aims to:

-Build a cybersecurity shield by deploying a quantum-secured public communication infrastructure

-Deploy Quantum Key Distribution, an ultra-secure form of encryption, in large-scale networks.

-Strengthening the union’s joint preparedness, situation awareness and response to cyber threats.

-Complete certification schemes and testbeds for 5G and extend it to IoT tool providers, SMEs and hospitals.

-Support faster validation and market take-up of innovative cybersecurity solutions by businesses and public buyers.

-Support the implementation of relevant EU legislation and political initiatives: in particular the NIS Directive, the Cyber Security Act, the European Cybersecurity Competence centre and network, the cyber Blueprint and Joint Cyber Unit, the 5G security toolbox.

-Strengthen capacity-building and cross-border cooperation on cybersecurity.

-among Member State bodies and industry stakeholders, including Information Sharing and Analysis Centres (ISACs).

The cybersecurity part of Digital Europe will be managed by the future European Cybersecurity Competence Centre – once it is operational. In the meantime, the European Commission will be in charge of launching the calls for proposals.

Next steps:

Q1 2021: The European Commission will adopt a Programme and launch the first calls.

If you have any questions on these issues, please contact Camille Dornier - Policy Manager: camille.dornier@eurosmart.com