Document(s): 

Digital Innovation Hubs in Digital Europe_background document December 2018

Year of publication: 

2018

The European Commission has proposed the creation of the first ever Digital Europe programme, which would invest €9.2 billion to align the next long-term EU budget 2021-2027 with increasing digital challenges.

Digital Innovation Hubs will play an important role in this programme to stimulate the uptake of Artificial Intelligence, HPC and Cybersecurity by all industry and public sector organisations in Europe.

Digital Innovation Hubs will have both a local and European functioning. Member States will be expected to co-invest in the hub through funding the facilities and services with a local impact in their regions/country, whereas the European dimension (opening up the facilities to all of Europe and importing missing expertise) will be funded through a grant of Digital Europe. Member States will be essential in the selection process of Digital Europe, since they will be responsible for nominating potential Digital Innovation Hubs. It is proposed to use the European Platform of National Initiatives on Digitising Industry for governance of this joint investment plan.

This brochure provides background information and initial ideas on how to implement the Digital Europe Programme, how it complements the support to hubs under Horizon Europe, and contribute to a successful network of Digital Innovation Hubs covering all regions of Europe.

You can find here all the details to better understand how the EU plans to reinforce the role of DIHs in the future. This is currently under negotiation with the European Parliament and Council as part of the EU Multiannual Financial Framework for 2021-2027.

Let us know your comments and ideas!