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European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HaDEA)
CEF Digital - header
About Connecting Europe Facility – Digital

Discover the programme

€1.6 billion
To be implemented by HaDEA between 2021-2027
€800 million
For 5G coverage along transport corridors
€389 million
For Backbone connectivity for Digital Global Gateways
75
Projects awarded so far
€142 million
For 5G for Smart Communities
€100 million
For Backbone networks for pan-European cloud federations

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. 22 October 2024
    Call 4 opening
  2. 12 November 2024
    Call 4 info day
  3. 13 February 2025
    Call 4 closing
  4. Autumn 2025
    Call 4 results

The part of CEF Digital managed by HaDEA provides grants in the following areas:

5G coverage along transport corridors

Funding 5G coverage along transport paths such as roads and railways to leverage further investments and establish a pan-European transport network of 5G corridors.

5G and Edge Cloud for Smart Communities

Supporting the early 5G deployment and edge infrastructure to enable cases for socio-economic drivers, such as public administrations, healthcare centres, schools and other education and training institutions and make them “smarter”.

Backbone networks for pan-European cloud federations

CEF Digital supports the deployment of cross-border and national cloud, edge and HPC infrastructure interconnections at both the physical (i.e. very high capacity networks) and functional levels (i.e. DNS resolution) to enable distributed, secure, energy-efficient and high-speed infrastructure and cloud services for EU citizens and businesses.

Backbone connectivity for Digital Global Gateways

Supporting the deployment of trans-continental backbone networks, such as submarine cables, to strengthen the quality and resilience of connectivity between EU countries and beyond.

Operational Digital Platforms

Supporting hardware and software infrastructures to promote real-time exchange of data in the energy and transport sectors across European Union.

Quantum communication infrastructure (EuroQCI)

Promoting quantum communication infrastructure interconnections to build an integrated satellite and terrestrial system spanning the whole EU for ultra-secure exchange of cryptographic keys.

 

News

A promotional graphic from the European Commission highlighting the role of 5G technology in enhancing education, featuring a glowing 5G chip on a digital circuit background.
  • News article

The development of new sets of skills and competencies, as well as appropriate digital infrastructure and equipment have become crucial to support the transformation of the whole education ecosystem.

  • 3 min read

More information