The European Digital Skills Awards 2026 spotlight projects and initiatives that boost digital skills across Europe.  

The ''Cybersecurity Skills'' category is designed for cybersecurity skills development initiatives for citizens and SMEs.

Apply now for the European Digital Skills Awards 2026!

In 2023, the European Union faced a significant shortage of cybersecurity professionals, estimated between 260,000 to 500,000. Women represented only 20% of cybersecurity graduates and 19% of information and communications technology specialists. Concrete actions are needed to bridge the gender gap and meet the rising demand for skilled cybersecurity experts in Europe!

In response, as part of the 2023 European Year of Skills, the Commission introduced a Communication on a Cybersecurity Skills Academy, also known as "the Cyber Skills Academy''.  This European policy initiative aims to consolidate existing cyber skills initiatives, enhancing coordination to bridge the cybersecurity talent gap and supercharge the EU's competitiveness, growth, and resilience.