Today the Commission signed association agreements for the Program for a Digital Europe with Montenegro, North Macedonia, Albania and Serbia, on the sidelines of Regulatory dialogue with the Western Balkans. After the signatures and after the completion of the corresponding ratification processes, the association agreements will enter into force. Businesses, public administrations and other eligible organizations from these neighboring countries will be able to access calls from the Digital Europe programme, with an overall budget of €7.5 billion for the period 2021-2027.
In particular, participants from these four countries will be able to take part in projects that deploy digital technologies across the EU in specific areas such as artificial intelligence and advanced digital skills. They will also be able to create digital innovation hubs in their own regions.
This will bring them closer to the EU economy and society, benefit from their technological capabilities and support digitalization as a whole, including that of small and medium-sized enterprises.
Funds from the Digital Europe Program will complement the funding available in Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbiaas well as Albania, through other EU programs such as Horizon Europe. The specific objectives and areas currently eligible for funding are detailed in work programs.
More information is available at the link on the Program for a Digital Europe And how to apply for financing.