STRATEGY of Digital Europe

Brussels,

EU Strategy, Objectives and Digital Acts

The EU strategy on Digital Europe is a comprehensive plan designed to help the European Union embrace digital technologies and stay competitive in the global digital economy. The strategy focuses on several key areas, including boosting digital skills, improving access to technology, promoting digital innovation, and supporting the growth of digital businesses.

One of the main objectives of the Digital Europe strategy is to increase investment in digital infrastructure, such as high-speed broadband networks, to ensure that all citizens have access to the latest digital technologies. The EU also aims to develop common standards and regulations for the digital economy to promote fair competition and ensure the protection of consumer rights.

To promote digital innovation, the EU is investing in research and development in areas such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, and cybersecurity. The aim is to create an environment that fosters innovation and allows businesses to develop and scale new digital products and services.

In terms of digital skills, the EU strategy on Digital Europe aims to provide citizens with the necessary skills to thrive in the digital economy. This includes initiatives to promote digital literacy among children, as well as programs to upskill and reskill the existing workforce.

The EU is also focusing on promoting the growth of digital businesses, particularly startups and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). This includes initiatives to help SMEs adopt digital technologies and expand their digital presence, as well as measures to ensure that startups have access to the funding and support they need to grow and succeed.

In summary, EU goals are:

digital putting people first
digital for businesses
development of reliable technologies
digital for public health
open and democratic society
sustainable economy
digital for green transition

The Digital Decade Policy Programme 2030

On December 2022, EU adopted the Decision (EU) 2022/2481 establishing the Digital Decade Policy Programme 2030.

The Decision translates the intentions announced in the Communication of March 2021 into programmes with actions and gives a legislative value to cooperation with Member States.

The Decision reiterates the general objectives of cooperation between the EU and the Member States, sets the digital objectives and establishes the governance rules of the process.

Regarding digital goals:

A. A digitally skilled population and highly skilled digital professionals:

at least 80% of those aged 16-74 have at least basic digital skills;
at least 20 million employed information and communications technology (ICT) specialists are employed, with convergence between women and men;

B. Secure, performant and sustainable digital infrastructures:

all European households are covered by a Gigabit network, with all populated areas covered by 5G;
the production of cutting-edge and sustainable semiconductors in the Union is at least 20% of world production in value;
at least 10 000 climate neutral highly secure “edge nodes” are deployed in the Union, distributed in a way that guarantees access to data services with low latency (few milliseconds) wherever businesses are located;
by 2025, the Union has its first computer with quantum acceleration, paving the way for the Union to be at the cutting edge of quantum capabilities by 2030.

C. Digital transformation of businesses:

at least 75% of Union enterprises have taken up: cloud computing services; big data; artificial intelligence;
more than 90% of Union Small and Medium Enterprises (‘SME’) reach at least a basic level of digital intensity;
the Union grows the pipeline of its innovative scale ups and improves their access to finance, leading to at least doubling the number of unicorns;

D. Digitalisation of public services:

100% online accessible provision of key public services for Union citizens and businesses;
100% of Union citizens have access to their medical records (electronic health records (EHR));
at least 80% of Union citizens use a digital identification (ID) solution.

Click to read

EU Objectives

The EU's strategy on data aims to unlock the potential of data, foster innovation, and support the digital transformation of EU businesses and society as a whole. The strategy sets out a vision for the EU as a global leader in a data-driven society, where data is used to benefit citizens, businesses, and public services.

The strategy focuses on three main pillars:

creating a single market for data,
promoting data sharing and use,
ensuring trust in data use

Data driven applications will benefit citizens and businesses in many ways. They can:

improve health care
create safer and cleaner transport systems
generate new products and services
reduce the costs of public services
improve sustainability and energy efficiency

To create a single market for data, the EU is working on removing barriers to the free flow of data, promoting interoperability, and investing in digital infrastructures. To promote data sharing and use, the EU will support the development of common European data spaces and establish sector-specific rules for data sharing. To ensure trust in data use, the EU will focus on establishing clear and fair rules for data governance, promoting cybersecurity, and investing in digital skills and literacy.

The strategy also includes a number of specific initiatives, such as the Data Governance Act, which aims to facilitate data sharing and increase trust in data use, Data Act, which aims to increase the availability of data for the benefit of companies, citizens, and public administrations with an EU space for Data and the European Data Innovation Board, which provides guidance and advice on data-related issues. The EU's strategy on data reflects the increasing importance of data in the digital age and the need to ensure that data is used in a responsible and beneficial way for society as a whole.

The Legal Framework

General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) - sets out the rules for the processing and protection of personal data within the EU.
ePrivacy Regulation - currently being revised, it will provide specific rules for the protection of privacy in electronic communications, including the use of cookies and other tracking technologies.
Audiovisual Media Services Directive (AVMSD) - regulates audiovisual media services, including traditional broadcast TV and on-demand services.
Network and Information Security (NIS) Directive - sets out rules for the protection of critical infrastructure from cyber threats.
Platform to Business Regulation (P2B) - aims to promote fair competition in the digital marketplace by ensuring that businesses have access to clear and transparent terms and conditions when using online platforms.
Cybersecurity Act - establishes a framework for the certification of ICT products, services, and processes across the EU.
Artificial Intelligence Act (AIA) - to promote the responsible use of AI while protecting fundamental rights and values.
Digital Services Act (DSA) - to modernize the rules for digital services in the EU, including online platforms, social media, and other digital services.
Digital Markets Act (DMA) - to promote fair competition in the digital marketplace.
Electronic Identification and Trust Services Regulation (eIDAS) - establishes a framework for electronic identification and trust services across the EU.
Copyright Directive - sets out new rules for copyright in the digital age, including the responsibility of online platforms for user-generated content.

These are just some of the key legal instruments related to the Digital Europe strategy, and the EU is continuously developing new legislation and regulations to keep pace with the rapidly evolving digital landscape.

The EU Digital Acts

1. Digital Services Act (DSA)
In force since 6 December 2022 (check other deadlines). The DSA aims to update the rules governing online platforms and services in the EU. It proposes new obligations for online platforms to tackle illegal content, increase transparency around content moderation, and provide redress mechanisms for users. The act also introduces a new regulatory framework for online advertising.

Go To DSA

2. Digital Markets Act (DMA)
In force since 21 November 2022 (check other deadlines). The DMA aims to promote fair competition in the digital market by addressing the power of gatekeeper platforms, such as Google and Facebook. It proposes a set of rules to prevent gatekeeper platforms from using their market power to distort competition, including requirements for data access and interoperability.

Go To DMA

3. Data Governance Act (DGA)
In force since 24 September 2023 (check other deadlines). The DGA aims to facilitate data sharing across the EU and between sectors to create growth, increase control and trust of citizens and companies regarding their data, and offer an alternative European model to the data handling practice of major tech platforms. The act introduces a regulatory framework for data intermediaries and aims to increase trust in data sharing by establishing clear rules for data access, use, and reuse.

Go To DGA

4. Data Act
In force from 12 September 2025, it aims to create a single market for data within the EU by removing obstacles to the free flow of data and ensuring that data can be accessed and shared in a secure and trusted manner. The exact details of the proposed Data Act are still being worked out, but it is expected to be a key piece of legislation in the EU's efforts to create a thriving digital economy.

Go To DATA ACT

5. Artificial Intelligence Act (AIA)
The Regulation entered into force on 12 July 2024. It is a regulatory framework for AI in the EU. It aims to ensure that AI is developed and used in a way that respects fundamental rights and values, such as non-discrimination, fairness, and transparency. The act proposes requirements for high-risk AI systems, such as those used in healthcare or transportation, and establishes a European Artificial Intelligence Board to oversee the implementation of the regulation.

Go To AIA

6. Gigabit Infrastructure Act (GIA)
The GIA Act Regulation shall apply from 12 November 2025. This new EU Regulation aims at enhancing digital connectivity and reducing the costs associated with deploying high-capacity networks across the EU.

Go To GIA

7. Cyber Resilience Act
In force since December 2024, the Cyber Resilience Act enhances cybersecurity standards of products that contain a digital component, requiring manufacturers and retailers to ensure cybersecurity throughout the lifecycle of their products.

Go To CRA

All these digital acts aim to create a safer and more competitive digital environment in the EU while promoting innovation and growth.

EU Strategic Targets

Technology that works for the people

The EU's digital strategy is to:

invest in digital skills for all Europeans
protect people from cyber threats (hacking, ransomware, identity theft)
ensure Artificial Intelligence is developed in ways that respect people’s rights and earn their trust
accelerate the roll-out of ultra-fast broadband for homes, schools and hospitals throughout the EU
expand Europe’s super-computing capacity to develop innovative solutions for medicine, transport and the environment

A fair and competitive digital economy