The European Commission has unveiled its ambitious Digital Europe Programme (DIGITAL) work plan for 2025-2027, allocating €1.3bn to support deploying strategically vital technologies.
This initiative aims to bolster Europe’s technological sovereignty and enhance digital capabilities across businesses, public administrations, and key sectors.
As the first EU funding programme dedicated to integrating digital technologies into daily life, DIGITAL plays a crucial role in shaping Europe’s digital transformation.
With a total budget of €8.1bn under the current Multiannual Financial Framework (2021-2027), the programme complements other EU funding initiatives, including Horizon Europe, EU4Health, InvestEU, and the Connecting Europe Facility.
The first calls for proposals under the 2025-2027 DIGITAL work programme are expected to be launched in April 2025, with additional funding opportunities becoming available throughout the year.
Henna Virkkunen, Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy, commented: “Securing European tech sovereignty starts with investing in advanced technologies and in making it possible for people to improve their digital competencies.
“With the opportunities under the Digital Europe Programme, we are ensuring that new technologies – and with them new potential – reach European citizens, businesses and public administrations.
Key priorities of the Digital Europe Programme
The DIGITAL work programme for 2025-2027 focuses on several high-priority areas that will drive technological advancement and economic growth. The main initiatives include:
Advancing artificial intelligence
A core focus of the programme is the increased availability and adoption of generative AI applications. Funding will be directed towards testing immersive digital environments, implementing the AI Act, and developing energy-efficient data spaces.
These initiatives will support the AI Factories project, which aims to create advanced AI models for businesses and public institutions.
Strengthening European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs)
The European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs) network will continue to provide businesses and public sector organisations with technical expertise, training, and access to cutting-edge digital technologies.
This initiative will promote AI integration across multiple industries, ensuring Europe remains competitive in the global digital economy.
Enhancing climate adaptation with Destination Earth
Funding will be allocated to expand the award-winning Destination Earth initiative, which builds a digital model of Earth to aid in climate adaptation and disaster risk management.
The investment aims to develop a more powerful simulation model that will be accessible to a broader range of researchers and institutions.
Boosting cyber resilience and security
With cybersecurity becoming a top priority, DIGITAL will fund initiatives to strengthen the EU’s cyber resilience.
The programme will support cybersecurity solutions such as the EU Cybersecurity Reserve, which will enhance the protection of critical infrastructure, including hospitals and submarine cables.
Developing digital skills across Europe
DIGITAL aims to enhance digital education and training across EU institutions. By investing in advanced digital skills, the programme will nurture talent and boost the European workforce’s expertise, ensuring long-term technological competitiveness.
Facilitating the EU Digital Identity Wallet
The initiative will drive the implementation of the EU Digital Identity Wallet and the European Trust Infrastructure, ensuring seamless digital identification and authentication across Member States.
Transforming public services through digitalisation
The programme will promote the digital transformation of public services by developing high-quality, efficient, and interoperable digital solutions. This will enable governments to offer more streamlined, secure, and user-friendly services to citizens and businesses alike.
The role of STEP
Innovation within the Digital Europe Programme will be further accelerated through the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP).
This platform will award the STEP Seal quality label to promising projects, increasing their access to both public and private funding opportunities.
Reinforcing Europe’s tech ecosystem
The Digital Europe Programme remains at the forefront of Europe’s technological transformation, ensuring that cutting-edge digital solutions are accessible and widely implemented.
By fostering AI adoption, strengthening cybersecurity, and enhancing digital skills, the EU is paving the way for a more resilient, innovative, and digitally advanced future.
