Deadline Date: March 03, 2026
The European Advanced Digital Skills Competitions Initiative has been launched to engage young people across Europe in cutting-edge digital technologies through challenge-driven competitions that promote creativity, research, and skills development.
The focus areas include well defined, up to date and relevant challenges that will serve as the challenges for the European Advanced Digital Skills Competitions, competitions rule book for participants and jury, competitions implementation roadmap, implementation and roll-out of the six competitions, and sustainability plans for the proposed competitions after the end of the project.
This initiative aims to position the European Advanced Digital Skills Competitions as catalysts that inspire young Europeans to explore advanced digital fields while contributing to solutions for societal and industrial challenges. Each competition will revolve around a highly relevant challenge developed by leading research institutes and industry partners, ensuring alignment with real-world technological needs. Close collaboration with Sectoral digital skills academies and related initiatives will ensure support and engagement from the broader digital skills ecosystem.
The competitions will be hosted within the EU and will feature student teams competing across six digital domains linked to the Sectoral digital skills academies, the Destination Earth initiative, and an additional theme chosen by the consortium. These competitions are intended to stimulate innovation, deepen student expertise, and provide a measurable way to track progress toward ambitious technological goals.
Funding available for this initiative amounts to EUR 7,000,000. The project scope includes developing challenges in Quantum, GenAI, Chips, Virtual Worlds, Destination Earth, and one additional area. Each challenge must address a significant societal, technological, or industrial issue, encourage broad student participation, and support the development of applied research and project-based skills. Prize structures, local tournaments, and major events will also be designed to enhance engagement and visibility. The project will work in close cooperation with the Sectoral digital skills academies, the Destination Earth Initiative, industrial communities, and the European League of Advanced Digital Skills Academies to ensure strong dissemination, communication, and ecosystem alignment.
Eligible applicants include legal entities, both public and private, established in EU Member States, overseas countries and territories, and eligible non-EU associated countries. All beneficiaries must register in the Participant Register and complete validation through the Central Validation Service, submitting documentation confirming legal status and origin.
For more information, visit European Commission.
