The European Commission has announced that it will allocate €1.3 billion over the next three years to the development of AI, cybersecurity, cloud services, and other strategic digital technologies.
The announcement came on Friday, after the Commission approved the work programme for the Digital Europe initiative up to 2029.
Its priorities include integrating generative AI in business and public sectors, and supporting European digital innovation hubs (EDIHs). These hubs provide technical expertise and facilitate the testing of new digital applications.
Strengthening cybersecurity is another key focus, including the establishment of a European cybersecurity reserve of reliable service providers. This reserve will respond swiftly to incidents affecting critical infrastructure, such as underwater cables or hospitals.
The programme also funds digital skills education and enhances Destination Earth, a digital model designed to prepare for climate change and natural disasters.
The Commission will issue its first calls for project proposals next month.
Digital Europe is the EU’s first funding programme dedicated entirely to providing digital technology to citizens and businesses. The initiative has a total budget of over €8 billion for the 2021 - 2027 period.
