This study supports the Interim Evaluation of the Digital Europe Programme conducted by Directorate-General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology (DG CNECT). It assesses the EU funding programme\u2019s progress towards its objectives, measuring its effectiveness, efficiency, relevance, coherence, and EU-added value. Launched in 2021 with a current seven-year budget of \u20ac8.16 billion, the\u00a0Digital Europe programme has accelerated the digital transformation of the EU by funding digital deployment projects across six specific objectives: High-Performance Computing, cloud, data and artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, advanced digital skills, deployment and best use of digital capacity and interoperability as well as semiconductors. The study is based on quantitative and qualitative data sources, including a public consultation, surveys of beneficiaries, applicants, and end users, interviews with key stakeholders and implementing bodies, case studies and desk research on the implementation of the programme. The study finds that Digital Europe has made substantial progress, reaching major achievements, such as the first exascale supercomputer Jupiter, large scale testing and experimentation facilities for AI, a pan European cybersecurity infrastructure, master\u2019s programmes in highly specialised digital fields, and a EU wide network of European Digital Innovation Hubs to support public and private organisations in their digitalisation. The programme has also brought benefits to beneficiaries and users of the developed infrastructure, such as in the areas of market positioning, networking and organisational development. However, some challenges have been identified including a lack of awareness of the programme, difficulties in combining, regional, national and European funds and administrative burden when applying security restrictions to funded entities to protect EU\u2019s security. This report provides evidence-based recommendations to enhance the programme\u2019s effectiveness in the next Multiannual Financial Framework ensuring that Europe remains a global leader in digital innovation, technological sovereignty, and industrial competitiveness.
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