Over one billion awarded so far:
CEF-Digital is a 7-year funding programme, split into several topics. During the first work programme, 120 projects were selected for a total of € 672 million of funding, across the topics of Digital Global Gateways, 5G and Edge Cloud for Smart Communities, 5G for Transport Corridors and Backbone Networks for pan-European Cloud Federations. Currently, 56 projects have been selected for € 388 million of funding under the second work programme across the topics of Digital Global Gateways, 5G large-scale pilots and Quantum Communication Infrastructure (EuroQCI). Keep a close eye on our Social Media channels for further funding opportunities before the end of the current 7-year budget at the end of 2027.
We will be a steadfast protector of European digital infrastructure and ensure that no one can turn our openness against us.
A call on reinforcing Europe's repair capacity for submarine cables in the Baltic Sea is now open:
- 5 February 2026Call Repair Capacities OPENING
- 5 March 2026Call Repair Capacities INFO DAY
- 6 May 2026Call Repair Capacities CLOSING
- Autumn 2026Call Repair Capacities RESULTS
Learn more about the topics managed by HaDEA for the CEF-Digital Programme:
Backbone connectivity for Digital Global Gateways Supporting the deployment of backbone networks within and between Member States (including Overseas Countries and Territories and Outermost Regions) as well as between the EU and third countries, to strengthen the quality and resilience of connectivity between EU countries and beyond. |
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”. In the framework of the second Work Programme, this topic transitions to 5G large scale pilots – 5G and Edge Cloud for Smart Communities, supporting the deployment of large scale stand-alone 5G networks and their integration with edge cloud infrastructures enabling innovative applications in areas such as healthcare, agriculture, manufacturing, and education. |
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. In the framework of the second Work Programme, this topic transitions to 5G Large Scale Pilots – 5G coverage along transport corridors, supporting the deployment of large scale 5G stand-alone infrastructures along key European transport paths and the TEN-T network corridor. |
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. |
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. |
Supporting hardware and software infrastructures to promote real-time exchange of data in the energy and transport sectors across European Union. |
News
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.
Discover a selection of EU-funded projects managed by HaDEA that are further enhancing the Union’s capabilities to be protected against cyber threats.
The HaDEA Showcase Event 2026 took place on 19 January 2026 at the Charlemagne Conference Centre in Brussels and online, bringing together around 500 participants on site and close to 150 participants online.
Europe is entering a new era of preparedness. By managing eight major EU funding programmes across areas of health, digital, industry and space, the HADEA supports projects that strengthen the Union’s resilience and capacity to respond to whatever crisis comes next.