The Digital Europe Program (DIGITAL) is a new EU funding program focused on bringing digital technology to businesses, citizens and public administration.

2.2 billion euros for supercomputers to:

– build and strengthen supercomputing and data processing capacities in the EU by purchasing world-class supercomputers by 2022/2023 (capable of performing at least one billion billion or 1018 calculations per second) and post exacale facilities by 2026/2027;

– increased the availability and expanded use of supercomputers in areas of public importance, such as: health, environment and safety, as well as in industry – including small and medium-sized enterprises.

2.1 billion euros for artificial intelligence in order to:

– invested in the field of artificial intelligence use by companies and public administration;

– set up a “real European data space” and to enable safe access and storage of large databases and reliable and energy-efficient “cloud” (e. cloud) infrastructure;

– strengthen and support existing facilities for testing and experimentation of artificial intelligence in areas such as health and mobility in Member States and to encourage their cooperation.

1.7 billion euros for cyber security in order to:

– strengthened cyber security coordination between member states’ tools and data infrastructure;

– supported the wide application of cyber security capacities throughout the economy.

€580 million for advanced digital skills to:

– supported the design and delivery of specialized programs and internships for future experts in key areas such as: data and artificial intelligence, cyber security, quantum computing and super-computing;

– supported the improvement of the existing workforce through short trainings that reflect the latest developments in the specified key areas.

1.1 billion euros to ensure the widespread use of digital technologies in the economy and society in order to:

– supported intensive deployment in areas of public interest, such as: health (supplemented by the EUzaZdravlje program), the Green Deal, smart communities and the cultural sector;

– build and strengthen a network of European Digital Innovation Centers, with the aim of creating hubs in each region to help companies benefit from digital opportunities;

– supported the adoption of advanced digital and related technologies by industry, especially small and medium-sized enterprises;

– supported European public administration and industry in the implementation and access to the most modern digital technologies (such as “blockchain” (eng. blackchain)) in building trust in digital transformation.

The Digital Europe program funds projects in five key areas:

• “supercomputing” (eng. supercomputing)
• artificial intelligence
• cyber security
• advanced digital skills
• ensuring the widespread use of digital technologies in the economy and society

The program is designed to bridge the gap between research in the field of digital technologies and their commercialization. It will benefit European citizens and businesses, especially SMEs. Investments – within the Digital Europe program – support the twin objectives of the European Union, green transition and digital transformation, while at the same time strengthening the Union’s resilience and digital sovereignty.

With a planned total budget of 7.5 billion euros, this Program aims to accelerate economic recovery and shape the digital transformation of European society and economy, benefiting everyone, especially small and medium-sized enterprises. The Digital Europe program will not address these challenges in isolation, but will complement the funds available through other EU programs, such as: Horizon Europe Program for research and innovation; Connecting Europe Instrument for Digital Infrastructure; The Instrument for Recovery and Resilience, as well as the Structural Funds. It is part of the next long-term EU budget, the multiannual financial framework 2021-2027.

The program will be open to the participation of the following third countries through association or partial association:

(a) members of the European Free Trade Association – which are members of the European Economic Area – in accordance with the conditions established by the Agreement on the European Economic Area;

(b) acceding countries, candidate countries and potential candidates – in accordance with the general principles and general terms and conditions for the participation of those countries in the programs of the Union established in the respective framework agreements and decisions of the Association Council or in similar agreements and in accordance with the special conditions established in agreements between the Union and those countries;
(c) countries of the European Neighborhood Policy – in accordance with the general principles and general terms and conditions for the participation of those countries in the programs of the Union established in the respective framework agreements and decisions of the Association Council or in similar agreements and in accordance with the special conditions established in the agreements between the Union and those countries;

(d) other third countries – in accordance with the conditions laid down in a separate agreement covering the participation of a third country in any Union program, provided that the agreement: (1) ensures a fair balance with respect to the contributions and benefits of the third country participating in the Union programs; (2) prescribes the conditions for participation in programs, including the calculation of financial contributions for individual programs and their administrative costs; (3) does not confer any decision-making authority on the Union program to the third country; (4) guarantees the rights of the Union to ensure good financial management and to protect its financial interests.

The following legal entities have the right to participate in the Program:
(a) legal entities established in: member states or overseas states or territories associated with a member state, third countries associated with the Program in accordance with Articles 10 and 12;

(b) any other legal entity established in accordance with Union regulations and any international organization of European interest.

Legal entities established in a third country that is not associated with the Program have the right to participate in certain actions in which their participation is necessary to achieve the goals of the Program. Such entities bear the costs of their participation unless otherwise specified in the work programs.

Natural persons will not have the right to participate in the Program, except for grants awarded under Specific Objective 4. 4.

The work program referred to in Article 24 may provide that participation is limited to users based only in Member States or to users based in Member States and certain associated countries or other third countries where there are security reasons for such a limitation. Any limitation on the participation of legal entities established in associated countries shall be in accordance with the terms and conditions of the relevant agreement.

European Commission – Directorate-General for Education and Culture

www.ec.europa.eu/programmes/creative-europe/index_en.htm

Education, Culture and Media Executive Agency (EACEA)

http://eacea.ec.europa.eu/creative-europe_en

https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/find-funding/eu-funding-programmes/digital-europe-programme_hr

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