CEF Digital supports the deployment of strategic backbone networks as part of the Digital Global Gateway Strategy of the EU, contributing to strengthening the quality and resilience of connectivity between EU countries, as well as third countries. This call is technology neutral and can support submarine cables, satellite infrastructures connectivity to internet exchange points, among others.
Projects funded under the Digital Global Gateways Call aim to deploy new and significant upgrades of connectivity routes, where:
- The existing infrastructure cannot satisfy demand for affordable and adequate services in line with the EU connectivity objectives for 2030.
- There is a lack of the necessary redundancy to guarantee reliable, resilient, adequate, and secure international connectivity.
- The users in the served territories suffer from suboptimal services or prices compared to those offered in more competitive but otherwise comparable areas or routes.
These routes can be located within EU countries, between EU countries and between the EU and third countries, including Outermost Regions and other Overseas Countries and territories.
The expected benefits go beyond those directly related to supported projects and contribute to bridging the digital divide and ensuring widespread access to Gigabit networks for citizens and businesses.
A call on reinforcing Europe's repair capacity for submarine cables in the Baltic Sea is now open:
- 6 May 2026Call Repair Capacities CLOSING
- Autumn 2026Call Repair Capacities RESULTS
How to participate
The pilot call for Repair Capacities in the Baltic Sea is open. Apply here by 6 May 2026 17.00 (Brussels time)
Join the Info Session on 5 March 2026 at 9.30 am using this link (no need to register)
A question about the call? ask on Slido or email HADEA-CEF-DIGITAL-CALLS
ec [dot] europa [dot] eu (HADEA-CEF-DIGITAL-CALLS[at]ec[dot]europa[dot]eu).
Awarded projects
Browse EU-funded projects on the Funding & Tenders portal and get inspired.
News
Under the CEF-Digital programme, HaDEA is seeking experts with strong technical backgrounds on submarine cables.
The Mobile World Congress (MWC), taking place from 2 to 5 March 2026 in Barcelona, is a key event for the global connectivity industry. Discover the HaDEA-managed projects attending the event.
The latest call for proposals from the digital strand of the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF-Digital) programme opened with a deadline to apply by 6 May 2026 at 17.00 (Brussels time). Join the Info Session online on 5 March at 09.30 to learn more.
HaDEA is happy to announce the launch of a new call in the digital strand of the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF-Digital) programme improving Europe's digital connectivity infrastructures until 2027.