On 2 May, the European Commission published a proposal for a long-term budget – so-called Multiannual Financial Framework – for the 2021-2027 period.
Overall, the Commission is proposing to invest in areas such as research and innovation, young people, the digital economy, border management, security and defence while reducing funding for the Common Agricultural Policy and Cohesion Policy.
Reacting to the publication of the proposal, Andrus Ansip, Commissioner for the Digital Single Market welcomed “a financial commitment to secure Europe’s digital future into the next decade”.
For the first time, the Commission is proposing that the EU has a dedicated funding programme for digital: €9.19 billion allocated to the Digital Europe Programme. This is funding to:
Commissioner Ansip expects the funding specifically allocated to ICT to be higher than the current €13 billion. In so doing, new research and innovation funding – looked after by the Horizon 2020 programme – will significantly support digital.
The Commission’s proposal will now be discussed and amended by the Member States – in the Council of the EU – and the European Parliament.
More information about the proposed Multiannual Financial Framework can be found here.
