The European Broadband Competence Offices Network
"President von der Leyen has declared this decade the Digital Decade, indicating a significant move towards a more connected and innovative Europe", explains Deputy Director-General Renate Nikolay. "To achieve this vision, collaboration among Member States is essential."
With concrete targets and objectives for 2030, Europe's Digital Decade Policy Programme revolves around four key areas: skills development, digital transformation of businesses, secure and sustainable digital infrastructures, and digitalisation of public services. The aim is to propel the EU forward in the digital sphere, ensuring its competitiveness on a global scale.
- Skills development
Enhancing the digital skills of Europeans to ensure that at least 80% of the population has the basic digital skills needed to thrive in the digital age and fostering the development of 20 million ICT specialists.
- Digital transformation of businesses
Aiming for 75% of EU companies to leverage technologies such as Cloud, AI, or Big Data to enhance their operations; nurturing innovators; fostering the growth of scale-ups; and providing financial support to double the number of EU Unicorns. Additionally, the Programme aims to ensure that over 90% of SMEs reach at least a basic level of digital intensity, enabling them to remain competitive in the digital marketplace.
- Secure and sustainable digital infrastructures
Ensuring gigabit connectivity for all citizens; doubling the EU's share in global semiconductor production; establishing 10,000 climate-neutral highly secure edge nodes for data processing; and introducing the first computer with quantum acceleration.
- Digitalisation of public services
Enabling key public services to be fully accessible online, ensuring convenience and efficiency for citizens. The Programme aims to provide universal access to e-Health services, with 100% of citizens having access to their medical records online. Furthermore, efforts will be made to facilitate digital identity access for all citizens, enabling seamless and secure interactions with government services.
"While challenges lie ahead, Europe's commitment to the Digital Decade is unwavering", affirms Deputy Director-General Renate Nikolay. "By focusing on these four pillars, we aim to create a more connected, innovative, and inclusive Europe for all citizens."
Find out more
This interview was filmed as part of the European Broadband Competence Offices (BCO) Network’s work to raise awareness of EU support for high-speed broadband deployment and share good practices in broadband projects.
Discover more interviews in the BCO Network YouTube playlist and more broadband good practices, news and resources in the BCO Network Library.
Find out more about the BCO Network work in the 2024-25 Annual Work Plan Summary and explore the previous annual programme in the 2023-24 BCO Network Activity Report.
Explore the links below to discover how the EU and BCOs help broadband deployment in your country and region and may be able to support your project.
- BCO Network: Frequently Asked Questions
- Broadband in EU countries: key facts and contacts
- EU support for broadband roll-out
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The European Broadband Competence Offices Network