Deadline Date: March 03, 2026
The European Commission has announced a new call for proposals under the Digital Europe Programme to complete the existing network of European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs) by including entities from countries not yet participating in previous calls.
The focus is to complete the existing network of European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs) with entities from countries associated to the Digital Europe Programme that have not yet participated in any previous EDIH call. These entities will provide the complete set of services of an EDIH, including the necessary infrastructure, focusing primarily on a specific geographical area and covering the digital transformation needs of the local SMEs, mid-caps and/or public sector organisations with a reinforced AI focus for EDIH operations.
The completion of the EDIHs network will be pivotal in supporting the widespread deployment and uptake of European AI technologies, solutions and tools, while also promoting the adoption of other crucial digital technologies, all in alignment with EU values and a human-centric approach. Furthermore, the network will harness the potential of green digital technologies, contributing to Europe’s collective climate and environmental goals. This approach will not only enhance the resilience of European industry but also strengthen its strategic autonomy. With an enhanced presence in countries associated with Digital Europe, the EDIH network will help bridge technology gaps, and support competitiveness and economic convergence.
The total estimated available call budget is EUR 8,000,000, with a project duration of 36 months. The EDIHs will collaborate with EU AI Innovation infrastructures, serving as central hubs for companies and the public sector. They will ensure a flexible and seamless digital journey, referring stakeholders to relevant services provided by these AI innovation infrastructures when appropriate. These collaborations will accelerate the deployment of AI technologies and ensure their effective and ethical application. The EDIHs will also promote and facilitate the use of all the digital capacities built up under the Digital Europe Programme, leveraging AI solutions from European start-ups, SMEs, and EU-funded projects, including the AI-on-Demand Platform. They will work closely with AI Factories and High-Performance Computing competence centres, facilitating access to EuroHPC AI-optimised supercomputers where relevant.
Each new EDIH will provide services based on a specific focus or expertise, supporting the local private and public sector with digital transformation and AI integration. The EDIH network will promote digital transformation through four types of services — test before invest, providing access to technical expertise and experimentation; training and skill development for upskilling and reskilling the workforce; support to identify and access potential financing sources for digital transformation; and fostering an innovation ecosystem and networking opportunities, including links to AI factories and TEFs.
The new EDIHs are expected to support the digital transformation of SMEs, mid-caps, and public sector organizations within their geographical areas, aiming to extend impact beyond their immediate regions. The performance of the hubs will be evaluated through key performance indicators, including the number of entities using EDIH services, number of referrals to European AI Innovation Infrastructures, amount of additional investments successfully triggered, and collaborations foreseen with other EDIHs and stakeholders at EU level.
For more information, visit European Commission.
