EU Invests €108 Million to Boost Digital Skills and Tech Across Europe

2024-07-12 data

Netherlands, Friday, 12 July 2024.
The Digital Europe Programme launches new initiatives to enhance digital capabilities in the EU. The investment focuses on advanced skills, multi-country projects, and combating disinformation, aiming to bridge digital divides and foster innovation across member states.

Investment Breakdown

The Digital Europe Programme has allocated over €108 million from its 2023-2024 work program to bolster the EU’s digital and technological capabilities. The investment is divided into several key areas, including artificial intelligence, specialized education programs, and tackling disinformation. Notably, €55 million is earmarked for advanced digital skills development, particularly in cutting-edge sectors like virtual worlds, edge computing, quantum computing, photonics, robotics, and automation.

Focus on Advanced Digital Skills

One of the major areas of investment is the development of advanced digital skills. The €55 million allocated for this purpose will support specialized education programs aimed at equipping individuals with the expertise needed in emerging technologies. This includes interdisciplinary programs designed to acquire advanced green digital skills in strategic sectors such as agriculture, transport, renewable energy, waste management, and government services. These programs are expected to create a highly skilled workforce capable of driving the EU’s digital transformation.

Support for Multi-Country Projects

In addition to skills development, €25 million has been allocated to support the implementation of Multi-Country Projects. These projects are designed to help the EU reach its digital targets and reduce digital divides between member states. By fostering collaboration across borders, these initiatives aim to create a more cohesive and competitive digital landscape within the EU, ensuring that all member states can benefit from digital advancements.

Local Digital Twins and Disinformation

A further €20 million will be invested in the advancement of Local Digital Twins (LDTs) across the EU. LDTs are digital replicas of physical entities that enable cities and communities to harness economies of scale in data platform development and AI-based solutions. This investment will support the interconnection of existing LDTs and the creation of new ones, providing valuable tools for urban planning and management. Additionally, €8 million will be directed towards the European Digital Media Observatory (EDMO) to analyze digital media ecosystems and combat disinformation, a critical issue in today’s digital age.

Long-Term Perspective

The selected projects under the Digital Europe Programme are expected to achieve scale, involve several member states, and have a long-term perspective. The deadline for the calls is 21 November 2024, giving ample time for proposals to be developed and submitted. These investments are part of the broader Digital Europe Programme, which aims to bring digital technology to businesses and citizens across the EU with a planned budget of €7.5 billion over seven years.

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digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu digital skills tech capacity www.ccam.eu horizoneurope.ie joint-research-centre.ec.europa.eu