The European Commission has allocated €1.3 billion under the Digital Europe Programme (DIGITAL) for 2025-2027 to strengthen Europe’s technological sovereignty. The funding will support the deployment of Artificial Intelligence (AI), cloud and data infrastructure, cyber resilience, and digital skills, with a focus on business and public sector adoption.
Key initiatives include enhancing generative AI applications, particularly in healthcare, supporting immersive virtual environments, implementing the AI Act, and developing energy-efficient data spaces. The European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs) will help businesses and public bodies adopt AI and emerging technologies through expertise, testing, and training. The programme will also expand the Destination Earth initiative, which builds a digital model of Earth for climate adaptation and disaster risk management.
Cyber resilience will be bolstered through initiatives like the EU Cybersecurity Reserve, protecting critical infrastructure such as hospitals and submarine cables. Funding will also support digital skills development, the rollout of the EU Digital Identity Wallet, and the transformation of public sector digital services. Additionally, the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP) will provide the STEP Seal quality label to promising projects, enhancing their access to funding.
The first DIGITAL calls are expected in April 2025, with further opportunities throughout the year. DIGITAL, the EU’s first funding programme dedicated to digital technology deployment, has a total budget of €8.1 billion under the Multiannual Financial Framework 2021-2027, complementing investments from other EU initiatives to drive Europe’s digital transformation.
