EU Digital & Tech’s Post

Yet another summer consultation -- this one on the #DigitalEurope funding programme -- that will influence the next European Commission’s #digital and #tech policy priority agenda

Digital Europe programme is the programme that supports uptake of digital technologies in contrsst to Horizon Europe programme that supports research and innovation.

DIGITAL CONTROL in the EU – Brussels is concerned about the economic and social influence of non-EU technology companies, which arguably threaten EU citizens’ control over their personal data and constrain the growth of EU high-tech companies. In her 2020 State of the Union speech, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that the EU needed a common plan for digital Europe with clearly defined goals for 2030, such as for connectivity, skills and digital public services. https://lnkd.in/g-uidcj7

ePAPHOS DÉCLARÉS ONCE MORE European digital autonomy can begin with the synnet THE EUROPEAN INTERNET OUR TEAMWORK PARTICIPATES THIS EVENING AT D9+ STAKEHOLDER FORUM. European competitiveness and economic growth depend on Europe’s ability to promote innovation and use digital technologies and services to transform sectors and companies. The European Union has set ambitious targets for 2030 as part of its Digital Decade Programme, and the EU elections in 2024 provide an opportunity for renewed energy and prioritisation in order to deliver on these objectives. This new impetus requires policy leadership from across Europe, and the D9+ Group, which represents the 12 “digital frontrunner” countries within the EU, is a pivotal forum that contributes significant thought leadership and digital agenda-setting in Europe. Taking place in the context of the D9+ ministerial meeting and immediately ahead of the EU Telecoms Council, this D9+ industry stakeholder gathering will convene public and private sector representatives from the D9+ countries – and those keen to learn from them – as well as others working to develop innovation and growth-friendly policies for Europe. Discussions will look at what the European Commission digital policy agenda for 2024-2030 and beyond should look like, culminating in formal recommendations delivered by the B9+ to the D9+ ministers.

💻 Only 55.6% of the EU population has basic digital skills, far from our target of 80%. 👩💻 At the current pace, the EU will have around 12 million ICT specialists by 2030, short of the 20 million target. Let's work together to bridge the digital skills gap and build a more inclusive and competitive Europe. 🔗 Read the full State of the Digital Decade 2024 report: https://europa.eu/!bYR3kh #DigitalEU

🌐💼 **Entry into Force of the Interoperable Europe Regulation** The new regulation for an Interoperable Europe, which came into effect on April 11th, aims to strengthen data exchange and accelerate the digital transformation of the public sector. 📈 **Key Objectives**: 🔹 Facilitate data exchange for accelerated digital transformation. 🔹 Achieve the goals of the digital decade, including the online availability of public services by 2030. 🔹 Promote effective implementation of digital features across sectors such as justice, healthcare, transport, and the digital single market. 🛠 **Services Offered**: 🔸 Mutual recognition of university degrees and professional qualifications. 🔸 Data exchanges related to vehicles to enhance road safety. 🔸 Access to data concerning social security and healthcare. This regulation marks a significant step towards creating a more connected and collaborative Europe, supporting harmonization and efficiency across various public services. #InteroperableEurope #DigitalTransformation #PublicServices #Interoperability #EU #DigitalDecade

WBBA Member Spotlight - Ookla On November 8th, Ookla spearheaded an insightful webinar delving into "Accelerating Europe's Gigabit Revolution" and emphasizing the pivotal role of high-speed internet in today's digital landscape. During this engaging session, a panel, including Omdia’s Senior Principal Analyst Stephen Wilson, convened to: - Discuss how Gigabit Society fits into Europe's digital transformation strategy. - Identify key policy measures and investments to support Gigabit Society goals. - Propose strategies to ensure digital access for all and overcome implementation challenges. High-speed internet stands as a fundamental catalyst for innovation, economic prosperity, and societal inclusion. While Europe is embracing the visionary Gigabit Society concept, the journey to realization requires thoughtful definition. To discover how Europe can expedite the gigabit expansion, watchthe playback of the webinar here --> https://lnkd.in/d6cV-YW8. #GigabitRevolution #DigitalTransformation #HighSpeedInternet

The European Commission just published its report on the State of the Digital Decade, shedding light on Europe's digital progress. Are we meeting our ambitious goals? Unfortunately, it appears we're not quite there yet. Here’s how we can accelerate our journey: 🇪🇺 Complete the Single Market and strengthen EU harmonisation: Ensuring consistent enforcement and interpretation of laws across the EU is essential. A “Competitiveness Act" could eliminate regulatory inconsistencies and unnecessary complexities. This can also be achieved through better cooperation among authorities within and between Member States. 🦄 Develop a comprehensive EU tech strategy: This strategy should prioritise unicorns' needs by fostering a robust data economy and attracting top talent. ⚖ Enforce the Rules: EU regulations must apply to all companies, regardless of their headquarters. We need to improve governance and enforcement mechanisms instead of introducing new rules. 🎯 Adopt Tailored Rules When Necessary: After current rules have matured, assess their impact, identify gaps, and consider specific regulations. Understanding the nuances of different business models with industry input is vital. ⏩ The European Tech Alliance (#EUTA) is the only organisation giving a voice to European unicorns. Achieving these 4️⃣ points is essential to cultivate more European success stories and enable them to compete on the global stage. Together, let's push for a stronger digital Europe! 💪🇪🇺

📈 Sweden: Third Most Digital in EU, But There's Room for Improvement 🇸🇪💻 I recently came across this insightful article from The Local Sweden, highlighting the country's digital prowess in the European Union. According to the Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI), Sweden has secured the impressive third position in terms of digitalisation. Sweden's success in digitalisation is a testament to the nation's commitment to embracing technology and its potential to transform lives and industries. https://lnkd.in/ekYXQ3uW #Digitalization #Sweden #EU #Innovation #Technology #DigitalEconomy #DESI #DigitalTransformation

🌐 The "Digital Europe" initiative by the European Commission aims to enhance digital transformation within the European Union, extending its reach to potential candidate countries. With a total budget of 7.5 billion euros, the program welcomes participation from Serbia's companies, business associations, clusters, and legal entities. 🗓️ The project proposal submission deadline is November 22, 2023. Scheduled to run until 2027, "Digital Europe" is structured to bolster digital technology, infrastructure, and skill development, promoting competitiveness and innovation in the digital economy. The initiative commenced in January 2021 and encompasses the 27 EU member states, Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein, and Ukraine. Starting June 30, 2023, candidate countries, including Serbia, Montenegro, Albania, and North Macedonia, are eligible to engage in the program. Prospective candidate countries can engage in several crucial domains: Supercomputing, Artificial Intelligence, Data and Cloud Computing, and Advanced Digital Skills and Technologies utilization. #digital #digitalEurope #digitaltransformation #CONFIDA #CONFIDASerbia