EU Commission unveils EUR 1.3 billion investment in digital skills, AI and cybersecurity

EU Commission unveils EUR 1.3 billion investment in digital skills, AI and cybersecurity
The European Commission has just adopted its Digital Europe Programme (DIGITAL) work programme for 2025–2027, providing funding support of EUR 1.3 billion for digital skills, AI and cybersecurity. This historic funding effort is designed to accelerate the deployment of critical digital technologies across the continent, bolstering Europe’s tech sovereignty at a time when digital transformation is more vital than ever.

The Work Programme, the final one under the current Multiannual Financial Framework 2021–2027, is set to transition key projects from the preparatory stage to full-scale deployment. Among its core priorities are the deployment and uptake of Artificial Intelligence, cloud and data, cyber resilience and digital skills, all crucial for modernising public administrations and empowering businesses.

Key priorities for a digital future

At the heart of the initiative is a series of targeted investments that will:

Accelerate AI deployment: The Digital Europe Programme will support improved access to generative AI applications across sectors, including healthcare and industrial manufacturing. It will enhance testing environments such as ‘virtual worlds’—designed to support real-world validations—and pave the way for the AI Factories initiative, which aims to equip both the private and public sectors with state-of-the-art AI capabilities.
Boost cyber resilience: In response to growing geopolitical tensions and evolving cybersecurity threats, the EU is set to establish the EU Cybersecurity Reserve alongside supporting platforms like the Cyber Resilience Act’s single reporting system. These measures aim to protect critical infrastructures, ranging from hospitals to submarine cables.
Expand digital skills and innovation: The programme reinforces the European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs) network, ensuring SMEs, mid-caps, and public bodies receive expert guidance and training. Simultaneously, new academies in emerging fields such as quantum technologies, generative AI, semiconductors, and virtual worlds will be established to address the growing demand for advanced digital skills.
Build-up the award-winning Destination Earth initiative that is working to build a digital model of Earth to support climate adaptation and disaster risk management. Funding will build a more powerful model that more researchers can access.
Develop EU education and training institutions' capacity in digital skills to help them attract and develop talent while strengthening advanced competencies in the European workforce.
Support the implementation of the new EU Digital Identity Wallet architecture and the European Trust Infrastructure while encouraging its adoption across Member States.

The new Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP) will further accelerate innovation by granting the STEP Seal quality label to promising projects, enhancing their chances of securing public and private funding.

Building on a legacy of digital transformation

This Work Programme is not only about new initiatives, but it also consolidates and expands on actions initiated in previous phases. By transitioning projects like sectorial common data spaces and digital twins from the planning to the deployment stage, the programme seeks to ensure the long-term sustainability of Europe’s digital infrastructure. It also reinforces the policy ambitions outlined in the 2030 Digital Compass and the Path to the Digital Decade, laying the groundwork for Europe’s evolution into a continent where digital excellence and technological sovereignty go hand in hand.

These investments are critical for ensuring that Europe remains at the forefront of technological innovation, while also strengthening our digital defences and equipping the European workforce with the skills needed for the future. The measures outlined in the Work Programme respond directly to contemporary challenges, including the rapid evolution of generative AI and the need for robust cybersecurity in an increasingly interconnected world.

Looking ahead

The upcoming DIGITAL calls, expected to begin in April 2025, will open doors for businesses, public administrations, and associated countries (including EU Member States, EFTA/EEA nations, and others) to benefit from this unprecedented investment. As Europe continues its digital transformation journey, these initiatives are poised to play a decisive role in achieving a resilient, secure, and innovative digital future.

In addition, the European Commission will be hosting an Info Day, with the date to be confirmed, providing further insights into the upcoming funding opportunities and strategic goals of the programme.

For more detailed information on funding opportunities and project calls, stakeholders are encouraged to visit the EU Funding & Tenders Portal.