European digital decade

Europe’s digital decade refers to the digital transformation of the European Union (EU) in the course of the 2020–2030 period. In the ‘path to the digital decade’ policy programme, the European Commission sets out concrete and measurable targets for the digital transformation. They are based on giving more power to citizens and technological leadership, resulting in a more resilient and prosperous society.

The 2030 digital decade targets concern four key areas:

a digitally skilled population and highly skilled digital professionals;
secure and efficient sustainable digital infrastructures;
digital transformation of businesses; and
digitalisation of public services.

The policy programme aims to set up a governance framework to help achieve the 2030 targets. The framework will be based on projected trajectories and annual cooperation between the Commission and (EU) Member States to stay on track and report on their progress.

To address the gaps in the EU’s critical capacities, multi-country projects are to be launched. These will combine investments from the EU budget, Member States and industry, building on the Recovery and Resilience Facility and other EU funding. In their recovery and resilience plans, Member States are committed to dedicate at least 20% to the digital priority. Examples of projects include an EU-wide interconnected data-processing infrastructure; the design and deployment of the next generation of low-power trusted processors; or digitally connected public administrations.

The Commission also proposes developing a framework of digital principles. Examples of these include access to high quality connectivity, to sufficient digital skills, to public services and to fair and non-discriminatory online services. More generally, these principles would ensure that the same rights that apply offline can be fully exercised online and would build on and complement the European Pillar of Social Rights.