European Commission Launches Public Consultation on Digital Decade 2030
The European Commission has launched a broad public consultation on the Digital Decade Policy Programme - inviting citizens, businesses, public authorities, regional and local governments, and civil society actors - to provide feedback. The aim is to assess whether the 2030 digital targets remain realistic and relevant in a fast-changing technological and societal landscape.
The Digital Decade’s Vision
When the Digital Decade Policy Programmewas first announced, it set out an ambitious agenda for Europe’s digital future. A key target was ensuring 80% of adults possess at least basic digital skills and grow the number of ICT specialists in the EU to 20 million, with improved gender balance by 2030. It also aimed to modernise businesses, expecting three quarters of companies to adopt digital tools such as cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and big data, while ensuring that most small and medium enterprises achieved at least basic digital intensity.
Image source: Digital Decade - Policy programme | Shaping Europe’s digital future
Infrastructure is another key focus, with targets for universal gigabit and 5G connectivity, increased semiconductor production, deployment of 10,000 climate-neutral edge cloud nodes, and early quantum computing capabilities.
Targets on the digitalisation of public services related to ensuring 100 percent online access to key services and universal electronic health records.
Targets under the programme combine areas like skills development, competitive infrastructure, business modernization, and digital public services, all aligned with Europe’s broader goals of inclusion, competitiveness, and technological sovereignty.
Progress and Challenges
According to the 2025 State of the Digital Decade Report, progress has been tangible but remains insufficient. Only 55.6 percent of Europeans have basic digital skills, and the ICT workforce counts around 10 million specialists, far short of the 2030 target. Gender imbalances persist. Deployment of fibre, 5G, cloud, and edge computing infrastructure is slower than anticipated, while companies are adopting digital technologies at a pace that risks falling behind the programme’s ambitions. Public service digitalisation has advanced but remains reliant on non-EU technology providers, raising concerns about sovereignty and long-term resilience. These gaps highlight the importance of the ongoing consultation to reassess priorities and adapt policies to the current digital environment.
The Focus of the Consultation
The review includes two surveys:
The surveys seek input on priority areas, potential risks, emerging opportunities, barriers to progress, and the relevance of the original 2030 targets. In addition, the Commission has opened a general call for evidence, allowing anyone to contribute. The collected feedback will inform a formal policy review, with recommendations expected in 2026.
Your point of view matters
As 2030 approaches, the review represents a crucial moment for Europe’s digital trajectory. Updating strategies, investing in skills and infrastructure, and fostering inclusive, innovative, and resilient digital ecosystems will be essential. The consultation offers an opportunity for stakeholders across education, employment, and community engagement to help shape a digital future that is efficient, fair, and accessible to all Europeans.