The EU4Digital Initiative

The EU4Digital Initiative is the EU’s flagship regional programme to support digital transformation and the harmonisation of digital markets in countries included in the Eastern Partnership (EaP) joint policy initiative.  

In the context of the European Neighbourhood Policy and the Eastern Partnership, the EU4Digital Initiative aims to extend the benefits of the EU’s Digital Single Market to the Eastern partner countries. By developing a stronger digital economy and society, this will generate more jobs and economic growth, help businesses and improve the lives of EaP citizens.  

Through the EU4Digital Initiative, the EU supports the reduction of roaming tariffs, the development of high-speed broadband to boost economies and expand e-services, the coordination of cyber security and the harmonisation of digital frameworks across society – from logistics to health, enhanced skills and the creation of jobs in digital industries.  

To support a resilient digital transformation, the EU4Digital Initiative helps eliminate barriers to pan-European online services for citizens, public administrators and businesses. This results in improved online services at better prices and with greater choice. It will attract investments and boost trade and employment; existing companies will grow faster and start-ups will be created more easily. The Initiative also helps to prepare the grounds for investment projects in the field of digital transformation, as part of the Economic and Investment Plan for the Eastern Partnership region.   

Central to the EU4Digital Initiative is the three-year EU-funded EU4Digital Facility Phase II (2022-2025). This programme builds on the achievements of the Facility’s first phase (2019-2022). The programme focuses on strengthening Eastern partner countries’ economy and governance through digital transformation in key thematic areas: 

• Telecom Rules  
• eTrust and cross-border digital services 
• eTrade 
• eHealth  
• ICT Innovation and Start-Up Ecosystems 
• Digital skills 

These areas of support mirror the six EU4Digital Networks created in 2016, which are composed of representatives from the Eastern partner countries and EU Member States.  

Under the EU4Digital umbrella are other projects, including EU4Digital: Cybersecurity EAST – which is strengthening cyber security and increasing trust in the use of digital services – and EU4Digital: EaPConnect – which is extending network infrastructure and services to bring together EaP and EU research and education communities. 

Read more about the projects under EU4Digital and about the EU policies and EaP policy pillars that provide the context and objectives for the EU4Digital Initiative.