The Digital Single Strategy proposed by the European Commission created the regulatory framework to ensure that  people and companies are fully benefit from the digital transformation. This initiative is also coordinated with ambitious funding and investments. The Digital Europe Programme aims to strengthen Europe's position in the new digital age. According to the programme, European Commission proposed to reinforce investments  in artificial intelligence, supercomputing, cybersecurity, skills and eGovernment. The main objective is to deploy new technologies and cybersecurity solution, to create high-performance computers and to enable access to large-scale data sets, increasing advanced digital skills and assuring the widespread adoption of egovernment tools by public administration. The programme is divided in five different pillars and foressees  €9.1 billion over the period 2021-2027 to be spent on:

1. Supercomputers: €2.7 billion will fund projects to build-up and strengthen supercomputing and data processing in Europe, to develop a world-class supercomputer and data infrastructure , providing an independent technology supply.
2. Artificial intelligence (AI): €2.5 billion is planned to help spread AI across the European economy and society. AI will give better access for public authorities and businesses to AI testing and experimentation facilities in Member States, complemented with the investments in AI research and innovation foreseen under the Horizon Europe programme.
3. Cybersecurity and trust: €2 billion will be invested into boosting cyber defence and the EU's cybersecurity industry, financing state-of-the-art cybersecurity equipment and infrastructure as well as supporting the development of the necessary skills and knowledge.
4. Digital skills: €700 million will support advanced digital skills through long-and short-term training courses and on-the-job traineeships.
5. Digital transformation of public administration and interoperability : €1.3 billion will support the digital transformation of public services and their EU-wide interoperability. It foresees digital innovation hubs providing access to technological expertise of digital transformation projects.

The implementation of the actions is assigned to Digital Innovation Hubs. These hubs have been operating in many Member States already since 2016 and they are planned to be reinforced. Their mission is to support the private and public sectors in their digital transformation and to make sure that  businesses and public authorities have coordinated access to the newest digital technologies and advanced training in digital skills. In this respect, city authorities could take an active role in the multi-level governance of these Digital Innovation Hubs.

The proposal discussed in the European Parliament and in the European Council . It was finalised in May 2019  and it  becomes operational by 1 January 2021.

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