The European Commission has launched a funding programme of over one billion euros for the period 2021-2023, to support investment projects in the area of digital connectivity – CEF 2 Digital. The programme’s 1st call, for which applications close on 22 March, has available funds of 258 million euros.
This funding covers both infrastructure studies and construction, and aims to contribute to the development of projects of common interest related to the deployment of secure, protected and sustainable high-performance infrastructure, including Gigabit and 5G networks. CEF Digital will also contribute to increasing the capacity and resilience of digital backbone network infrastructure in all EU territories, as well as to the digitalization of transport and energy networks.
Public or private entities, including joint ventures, established in EU Member States (including overseas countries and territories) with investment projects in the following areas can apply for this programme:
- 5G coverage along transport corridors (rail and road).
- 5G for smart communities.
- Backbone connectivity to global digital gateways such as submarine cables.
- Pan-European cloud federation backbone networks
CEF 2 Digital can provide funding in the form of:
- Grants (calls for proposals), where the EU provides financial support and the beneficiaries largely retain control over their results.
- Acquisition, where the EU covers the entire cost and owns the results and associated intellectual and operating property rights.
Applications to CEF 2 Digital https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-search;callCode=null;freeTextSearchKeyword=CEF-DIG-2021;matchWholeText=true;typeCodes=1,0;statusCodes=31094501,31094502,31094503;programmePeriod=null;programCcm2Id=null;programDivisionCode=null;focusAreaCode=null;destination=null;mission=null;geographicalZonesCode=null;programmeDivisionProspect=null;startDateLte=null;startDateGte=null;crossCuttingPriorityCode=null;cpvCode=null;performanceOfDelivery=null;sortQuery=sortStatus;orderBy=asc;onlyTenders=false;topicListKey=topicSearchTablePageState can be submitted directly to the European Commission no later than 5.00 pm (Brussels time) on 22 March 2022.
ANACOM actively participates in the approval of European Union programmes aimed at contributing to the development of the information society in Europe, in addition to disseminating information about them:
- Connecting Europe Facility - CEF https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/find-funding/eu-funding-programmes/connecting-europe-facility_en
- Digital Europe Programme - DEP https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/find-funding/eu-funding-programmes/digital-europe-programme_en
Within the scope of the Digital Europe Programme, applications are also open and may be submitted directly to the European Commission (applications close 17 May, at 5 pm).
