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European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HaDEA)

About the Connecting Europe Facility – Digital programme

About Connecting Europe Facility – Digital

Learn more about the programme

€1.6 billion
Overall Funding
To be implemented by HaDEA between 2021-2027.
>€710 million
Funding
For a wide array of projects in Digital Connectivity between 2021-2023.
€346 million
Funding
For 5G coverage along transport corridor between 2021-2023.
€89.5 million
Funding
For 5G for Smart Communities between 2021-2023.
€140 million
Funding
For Backbone networks for pan-European cloud federations between 2021-2023.
€130 million
Funding
For Backbone connectivity for Digital Global Gateways.

The digital strand of the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF Digital) is part of the second generation of the Connecting Europe Facility. CEF Digital aims to leverage public and private investments in digital connectivity infrastructures of common European interest.

Investing in cross-border connectivity will continue playing a key role in Europe’s transformation and its competitiveness.

Margrethe Vestager, Executive Vice-President for A Europe Fit for the Digital Age and Competition
  1. January 2022
    Call 1 Opening
  2. March 2022
    Call 1 Closing
  3. August 2022
    Call 1 Evaluation Results
  4. Autumn 2022
    Call 2 Opening
  5. Spring 2023
    Call 3 Opening

The part of CEF Digital managed by HaDEA provides grants and procurements for operators active in the following areas:

5G coverage along transport corridors
CEF Digital contributes to fund a set of projects providing 5G coverage along transport paths (roads, railways etc.) The goal is to leverage further public and private investments and establish a pan-European transport network of 5G corridors by 2027. These infrastructures are considered key enablers for rolling out tomorrow’s connected and automated mobility.
5G for Smart Communities
CEF Digital supports the early deployment of 5G-based systems to enable cases for socio-economic drivers, such as public administrations, healthcare centres, schools and other education and training institutions. The aim is to make them “smarter”, i.e. more efficient, resilient and able to adapt according to the evolving citizens’ needs, the environment, the local economy and society at large.
Backbone networks for pan-European cloud federations
Together with the Digital Europe Programme, InvestEU and the Recovery and Resilience Facility, CEF Digital promotes the deployment of cross-border and national cloud infrastructure interconnections. These interconnections enable distributed, secure, energy-efficient and high-speed connectivity to the benefit of EU citizens and businesses.
Backbone connectivity for Digital Global Gateways
CEF Digital supports the deployment of trans-continental backbone networks as part of the Digital Global Gateway Strategy of the EU, contributing to strengthen the quality and resilience of connectivity between EU countries, as well as third countries. This includes submarine cables, satellite infrastructures and connectivity to internet exchange points.
Operational Digital Platforms
CEF Digital funds Operational Digital Platforms that support digital services in the energy and transport sectors to be implemented across borders in the EU. These synergies leverages the innovation of the energy and transport infrastructures.

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