The European Commission adopted this week three work programmes for the Digital Europe Programme, presenting the objectives and focus areas that will receive €1.98 billion in funding. This first set of work programmes includes strategic investments that will be instrumental in realising the Commission's goals in making this Europe's Digital Decade. This funding programme aims to strengthen Europe’s technological sovereignty and bring digital solutions to the market in order to benefit citizens, public administrations, and businesses.

The main work programme, worth €1.38 billion and going until the end of 2022, will focus on key investments in the area of Artificial intelligence, cloud and data spaces, quantum communication infrastructure, advanced digital skills, and the wide use of digital technologies across the economy and society. Alongside this programme, two specific work programs will focus on cybersecurity (€269 million until the end of 2022) and on setting up the network of European Digital Innovation Hubs (€329 million until the end of 2023). These work programmes are the first steps of the Commission’s plan to invest €7.5 billion under the current MFF in the Digital programme

The first calls for the Digital Europe Programme will be published at the end of the month, while others will be published throughout 2022. The financing will be allocated mainly through grants and procurements, while a few other actions will be implemented through indirect management, with partner organisations procuring for the necessary developments.

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