The European Commission launched this Tuesday, February 22 the second round of calls for proposals of the program "For a digital Europe" after having adopted three work programs on November 10, 2021 and launched the first calls at the end of the same month. The calls are open to companies, organizations and public administrations from EU Member States, EFTA/EEA countries, as well as entities from other countries associated with the program. 292 million euros will be invested in digital technologies and cyber security.
The Council of the EU approved on March 16, 2021 the new program "For a digital Europe". This program aims to stimulate digital transformation by providing funding for the deployment of cutting-edge technologies in crucial areas such as artificial intelligence, high-performance computing and cybersecurity. The first EU funding program focused on bringing digital technology to businesses and citizens, it has a budget of €7.5 billion over 7 years (2021-2027) and aims to accelerate economic recovery through the digital transformation of European society and economy, benefiting in particular small and medium-sized enterprises. The Digital Europe program is implemented through multi-annual work programs.
Margrethe Vestager, executive vice president for a digital Europe, said:
"With the Digital Europe program, we are building secure and sustainable digital infrastructures. We are also enabling businesses to have better access to data or to use artificial intelligence-based solutions. The program also invests in ensuring that Europeans can acquire the right skills to actively participate in the labor market. The goal is that everyone in Europe - citizens, businesses and administrations - can benefit from market-ready technology solutions."
The 3 work programs
- The main work program, worth €1.38 billion, brings investments in the areas of artificial intelligence (AI), cloud and data spaces, quantum communication infrastructure, advanced digital skills and the broad use of digital technologies in the economy and society, until the end of 2022.
- The second focuses on funding in the field of cybersecurity , with a budget of 269 million euros until the end of 2022 ;
- The third is for the establishment and operation of the network of European Digital Innovation Hubs and has a budget of 329 million euros, until the end of 2023.