Under the lead of Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, a new Digital strategy has been unveiled: Shaping Europe’s Digital future.
The communication sets three key objectives to frame the development and operation of digital technologies in a way that benefits citizens:
- Technology that works for people;
- A fair and competitive economy;
- An open, democratic and sustainable society.
The strategy covers everything from cybersecurity to critical infrastructures, digital education to skills, democracy to media in the spirit of the European Union, that is open, fair, diverse, democratic, and confident.
The strategy lays the ground for the future of digital within the European Union, and for Horizon Europe, the next European Framework for Research and Innovation.
Digital skills
The coronavirus outbreak has shed light on the importance of digital technologies, as well as the prevalence of the digital gap. The Shaping Europe’s Digital Future strategy was updated to reflect on this reality.
It strongly focusses on digital skills, and includes now the broader availability of online public services, the creation of a common EU digital identity, the digital transformation of health and care, the up-skilling and re-skilling of EU citizens in digital capacities, and deploying high-capacity connectivity across rural areas.
Technology that works for people
The strategy is prioritising the development, deployment and uptake of technology that makes a real difference to people’s daily lives, in an economy that masters and shapes technology in a way that respects European values.
A fair and competitive economy
It also argues for a frictionless single market, where companies of all sizes and in any sector can compete on equal terms. Finally, it stands for a trustworthy environment in which citizens are empowered in how they act and interact with the data provided both online and offline.
An open, democratic and sustainable society
The strategy aims at digital transformation which enhances democratic values, respects fundamental rights, and contributes to a sustainable, climate-neutral and resource-efficient economy.
Other digital actions
Shaping Europe’s Digital Future strategy was published along side a White Paper on Artificial Intelligence and a European Data Strategy.
The European Commission is working on several communications, strategies and regulations to support Shaping Europe’s Digital Future vision.
The Commission initiated a robust and active public consultation process to support the work in analysing and collecting evidence for scoping the specific issues that may require an EU-level intervention.
All European and non-European citizens and organisations are welcome to contribute to the consultations. You can find the currently open consultations here.
For further information, we are happy to discuss with you, feel free to contact Géraud Guilloud, Advisor – European R&D and Innovation Support.
Luxinnovation is the National Contact Point for Horizon 2020, the European framework programme for research and innovation. Building on our decade-long experience of EU funding programmes, we are able to respond to questions on where to get up-to-date information on programmes and calls for project proposals, what programmes are the most suitable for you or where and how to find European partners.