Digital Europe Programme: digital transition and cybersecurity at the core of the new work programmes

The European Commission has adopted two multiannual work programmes for the Digital Europe Programme (DIGITAL). The programmes will receive a total of €1.284 billion in funding, out of which €553 million will be available in 2023 to support digital transformation and enhance cybersecurity.

The Digital Europe Programme aims to boost Europe’s technological sovereignty and bring digital solutions to market for the benefit of citizens, public administrations, and businesses while contributing to the objectives of the European Green Deal. With a planned total budget of €7.5 billion over 7 years, the Digital Europe Programme will accelerate the economic recovery and shape the digital transformation of Europe’s society and economy, bringing benefits in particular to small and medium-sized businesses.

Main Work Programme

The Main Work Programme, (DIGITAL Europe Work Programme 2023-2024), worth €909.5 million, aims to reinforce the EU’s  critical digital capacities by focusing on key areas such as climate and environment protection technology, data, AI, cloud, cybersecurity, advanced digital skills, and deployment for the best use of these technologies. In particular, the programme aims to enhance digital skills by implementing specialised education programmes in key areas as part of the Digital Decade policy target to achieve 20 million ICT experts in the EU by 2030. In addition, it seeks to reinforce skills related to the semiconductor industry and to create a Cybersecurity Skills Academy for reskilling and upskilling purposes, with a particular focus on the needs of SMEs and public administrations. The programme also focuses on boosting digital skills of young people, in particular girls, who are often underrepresented in the field.

Cybersecurity Work Programme

The Commission has also published a specific work programme focusing on cybersecurity, with a budget of €375 million for the period of 2023-2024, to enhance the EU’s collective resilience against cyber threats. The cybersecurity work programme will support building capacities of national and cross-border Security Operation Centres which will enable the establishment of advanced threat detection and cyber incident analysis systems. It will also allow for cybersecurity capacity building through National Coordination Centres and fund projects that support industry, in particular SMEs and start-ups, in complying with cybersecurity regulatory requirements.

When will the new calls will be launched?

The first calls for both Work Programmes will be published this spring, with more to come in the fall. The calls are open to businesses, public administrations, and other entities from the EU Member States, EFTA/EEA countries, and countries associated to the Digital Europe Programme.

For more information on the Work Programmes, please see here. To get more information on how to get funding, please see here.

Find more information about the programme and DIGITAL actions on the European Commission website.