The Council of the EU voted on 16 March to set up the new EU Digital Europe programme. The programme aims to boost digital transformation by providing funding for the deployment of cutting-edge technologies in crucial areas such as artificial intelligence, high-performance computing and cyber security. With a budget of €7,588 million, it will cover the period 2021-2027, with retroactive effect from 1 January. The Council adopted the Digital Europe Programme today and its adoption by the European Parliament is expected shortly. Pedro Nuno Santos, Portuguese Minister for Infrastructure and Housing, President of the Council said:
"The Digital Agenda is part of the EU's strong commitment to make the most of the digital transformation for the benefit of its businesses and economies, to increase its self-reliance in key technologies and to strengthen its competitiveness. It will help us to build high-performance, secure, cutting-edge digital services for all citizens and businesses across the Union.
The Digital Europe Programme will fund projects in five areas, each with its own indicative budget:
  • High performance computing : €2,226,914,000
  • Artificial intelligence: €2,061,956,000
  • Cybersecurity and trust : €1,649,566,000
  • Advanced digital skills: EUR 577 347 000
  • Deployment, better use of digital capabilities and interoperability: EUR 1 072 217 000
This programme will complement a number of other programmes supporting digital transformation, such as Horizon Europe, which focuses on research and technological development, and the digital part of the European Interconnection Facility. In addition, according to the new Regulation establishing the Recovery and Resilience Facility, national recovery and resilience plans must devote at least 20% of their envelope to the digital transition.

Procedure and next steps

Today's vote by written procedure means that the Council has adopted its position at first reading. The legal act must now be adopted by the European Parliament at second reading before being published in the EU's Official Journal. The regulation will enter into force on the day of its publication. In view of the formal adoption, a provisional agreement was reached between the Council Presidency and the European Parliament on 14 December 2020. The agreed text was approved by the Council's Permanent Representatives Committee on 18 December 2020. Translated from Le Conseil de l'UN donne son feu vert au nouveau programme pour une Europe numérique

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