EU invests €140 Million in AI, digital skills, and online safety

The European Commission has announced €140 million in new funding under the Digital Europe Programme (DIGITAL) to accelerate the use of advanced digital technologies across the EU. The investment will support artificial intelligence (AI), strengthen digital skills, expand innovation hubs, and fight online disinformation.

Where the money will go

Of the total budget:

• €55 million is set aside to bring generative AI into public administrations and the agri-food sector, while also ensuring that these technologies meet EU regulations. This money will also support projects in processor and semiconductor technologies and data spaces.
• €27 million will fund the creation of four new digital skills academies focusing on quantum technologies, AI, and virtual worlds, areas seen as vital for Europe’s digital future.
• €11 million will go toward strengthening the European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs), which provide local businesses and public authorities with access to testing facilities and advice on adopting new digital tools.
• €47 million will support broader deployment of digital technologies, including €5 million dedicated to a new European Network of Fact-Checkers. This network will include a fact-check repository, a rapid response system for misinformation, and protection measures for fact-checkers who face harassment.

All calls for applications close on 2 September 2025.

Why this matters

The initiative is part of the 2025–2027 Digital Europe Work Programme, which aims to roll out next-generation digital technologies across the continent. It also contributes to the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP), a broader EU plan to secure leadership in critical technologies and reduce dependence on external suppliers.

For civil society, this funding matters in several ways:

• The focus on fact-checking and disinformation strengthens independent journalism, helps protect democratic debate, and ensures that citizens can access reliable information online.
• The investment in digital skills means more opportunities for education and training, ensuring that students, workers, and communities are prepared for technological change.
• By supporting innovation hubs and AI in public services, the programme can make technology more accessible to smaller organisations, NGOs, and local communities—not just big corporations.

Next steps

Organisations across the EU and associated countries can apply for funding through the EU Funding & Tenders Portal until 2 September 2025. Successful projects will begin later in the year, helping to deploy new technologies and strengthen Europe’s digital resilience.