European Commission - Directorate General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology

12/18/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 12/18/2025 05:23

Digital Europe Programme fuels digital transformation and skills development across Europe

The Digital Europe Programme (DIGITAL) is making a significant impact on Europe's digital transformation, as shown by the interim evaluation published today.

© European Commission

Key achievements include the funding of JUPITER, Europe's first exascale supercomputer, contributing to the AI factories initiative, and Common European Data Spaces. Additionally, the programme facilitated the roll out of 169 European Digital Innovation Hubs across Europe, supporting over 90,000 companies and organisations.

With a budget of €8.16 billion for 2021-2027, DIGITAL has delivered concrete results across its strategic areas. The programme has equipped over 20,700 people with training in digital skills and set up open large-scale sectorial AI Testing and Experimentation facilities to test and refine AI models. Five state-of-the-art facilities have been created for developing cutting-edge chip technologies and designs. DIGITAL is also supporting Europe's cybersecurity. Between 2021 and 2024 over €194 million was dedicated towards the creation and operation of Security Operations Centres - or Cyber Hubs - on the frontline of the response to cyber threats. The report confirms the programme's strategic importance in adapting to evolving challenges and dynamics as the digital sector grows, playing a key role in implementing digital policies, such as the Chips Act, the Data Act, the Cyber Resilience Act and the AI Act.

Since 2021, the programme has been accelerating Europe's digital transition by funding the deployment of critical technologies.

While progress continues, some challenges remain, including the need to increase awareness of the Programme in some Member States and manage the complexities of coordinating different funding sources and administrative processes. The Commission is actively working to simplify these areas and improve accessibility.

The report evaluates the programme up to the end of 2024, and its findings are reflected in the design of the proposed European Competitiveness Fund for the next Multiannual Financial Framework.

Read more about the Digital Europe Programme.

Related content

Interim evaluation of the Digital Europe Programme

Report / Study| 18 December 2025

The interim evaluation of the Digital Europe Programme (DIGITAL) spotlights the impact and achievements of the programme up to the end of 2024.

European Commission - Directorate General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology published this content on December 18, 2025, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on December 18, 2025 at 11:23 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]