EU4Digital Facility Phase I

The first phase of the EU4Digital Facility started in 2019 and ran until early 2022. It was created to support the digital transformation of the Eastern partner countries in cooperation with the EU4Digital networks along six main thematic areas: Telecom Rules, eTrade, Trust and Security, ICT Innovation, eHealth and Digital Skills.

Objectives

The overall objective of the EU4Digital Facility Phase I (2019-2022) was to eliminate obstacles and barriers to pan-European online services for citizens, public administrations and businesses, including through the harmonisation of digital markets among the Eastern partner countries and with the EU.

Activities implemented

Six key policy areas were the focus of EU4Digital Phase I, as presented below.

Telecom rules

The Facility in Phase I supported efforts to achieve a common roaming space among Eastern partner countries and the EU Member States, to strengthen the independence of National Regulatory Authorities, and to develop coordinated strategies for spectrum distribution for future mobile usage, including 5G. Activities implemented include:

• Supported development and implementation of a common approach to roaming pricing in the EaP region;
• Supported strengthening the organisational and financial independence of National Regulatory Authorities for electronic communications, and co-published the Model Law on Electronic Communications;
• Supported a coordinated approach for freeing the 700 MHz frequency band in the six Eastern partner countries, necessary for 5G deployment;
• Conducted and published an EaP-EU roaming study exploring the possibility of a common international roaming space between the Eastern partner countries and the EU Member States, for substantial reduction of roaming tariffs.

Explore all EU4Digital Telecom Rules resources, Telecom Rules news and Telecom Rules success stories.

Trust & Security

EU4Digital supported the development of trust services for the digital economy and of cyber-security for improved resilience of critical infrastructure, as essential building blocks for interoperable cross-border eServices in the Eastern Partnership region. Activities implemented include:

• Developed a regional roadmap and national action plans for the mutual recognition of electronic identification in the Eastern Partnership region;
• Completed an interoperable cross-border eSignature pilot in the region;
• Developed regional guidelines for cross-border eServices interoperability;
• Developed common cybersecurity guidelines for the EaP region;
• Developed country-specific recommendations and provided consultations on public administration reforms on eGovernance.

Explore all EU4Digital eTrust resources, eTrust news and eTrust success stories.

eTrade

The Facility supported trade facilitation and harmonisation among Eastern partner countries and with the EU by promoting common frameworks for eCommerce, eCustoms and eLogistics, and by working towards Digital Transport Corridors. Activities implemented include:

• Piloted cross-border eTrade components among Eastern partner countries and with the EU;
• Piloted mechanisms for information exchange between cross-border customs offices;
• Completed preparatory actions to pilot a multi-modal Digital Transport Corridor between the Baltic Sea and the Black Sea;
• Piloted cross-border eCommerce enablers among Eastern partner countries and with the EU;
• Promoted networking between eTrade stakeholders in the region.

Explore all EU4Digital eTrade resources, eTrade news and eTrade success stories.

ICT innovation

EU4Digital supported reforms and actions to favour the development of ICT start-ups and innovation ecosystems across the Eastern Partnership region, drawing from EU experience and best practices. Activities implemented include:

• Developed policy recommendations and action plans to strengthen ICT innovation ecosystems;
• Analysed digital start-ups and scale-ups funding gaps and opportunities, and concluded the assessment on the performance of the EaP market in access to funding.
• Developed guidebooks on building ICT start-up ecosystems and boosting the capacity of the ecosystem and its stakeholders;
• Developed the concept of the regional EdTech Hub educational programme providing personalised digital skills development for SMEs and citizens;
• Developed the guidebook ‘Setting up mentorship programmes to bridge a gender gap in ICT’, based on a case study of Women Go Tech;
• Promoted networking of innovation ecosystem players;
• Developed the Eastern Partnership start-ups ecosystem platform.

Explore all EU4Digital ICT Innovation resources, ICT Innovation news and ICT Innovation success stories.

eHealth

The Facility supported the development of a harmonised regional framework for eHealth, both among Eastern partner countries and with the EU, and established a cross-border eHealth collaboration platform in the EaP region. Activities implemented include:

• Developed eHealth harmonisation guidelines and standards for the EaP region;
• Established a cross-border eHealth collaboration platform in the EaP region;
• Involved the region in relevant EU projects, programmes and initiatives.

Explore all EU4Digital eHealth resources, eHealth news and eHealth success stories.

eSkills

EU4Digital supported the implementation of digital skills strategies in the Eastern partner countries, facilitating the establishment of national coalitions for digital jobs and a competence framework for small businesses. Activities implemented include:

• Defined a common methodology for measuring and forecasting national digital skills gaps in the Eastern partner countries;
• Defined a common digital competence framework for SMEs and microbusinesses;
• Supported the creation of national coalitions for skills and jobs, including guidelines for their activities;
• Implemented training seminars, workshops and study visits;
• Implemented promotional campaigns in the partner countries.

Explore all EU4Digital eSkills resources, eSkills news and eSkills success stories.