Completion of the initial Network of European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs)

The European Commission is offering funding through the Digital Europe Programme to complete the network of European Digital Innovation Hubs, with a focus on promoting digital transformation, particularly in countries associated with the program that have not participated in previous EDIH calls. This initiative includes two specific topics: the DIGITAL-2025-EDIH-AC-08-COMPLETION-STEP, which has a budget of 2 million EUR and aims to award approximately 2 grants, and the DIGITAL-2025-EDIH-AC-08-CONSOLIDATION-STEP, with a budget of 9 million EUR aimed at awarding around 8 grants.

The primary objective is to establish EDIHs that provide a comprehensive set of services including necessary infrastructure for the digital transformation of small and medium-sized enterprises, mid-caps, and public sector organizations, with a strong emphasis on artificial intelligence. EDIHs are expected to act as central hubs collaborating with EU AI innovation infrastructures and delivering services such as testing, training, access to finance, and fostering innovation ecosystems.

The funding covers 100% of eligible costs, with 50% provided by the Digital Europe Programme and the remaining 50% expected from Member States or other sources. Applications follow a single-stage open call process, with submissions accepted from April 15, 2025, until September 2, 2025, at 17:00 Brussels time.

The call encourages cross-border and transnational cooperation and emphasizes the importance of EDIHs supporting the digital transformation of local SMEs and public sector organizations through four types of services: testing before investment, training and skill development, support in accessing finance, and fostering networking and innovation ecosystems.

The total public funding for this action will play a key role in enhancing the resilience and strategic autonomy of European industry, addressing digital technology gaps, and supporting competitiveness. EDIHs will also establish connections with local actors and engage in alignment with EU policies, fostering an inclusive and sustainable digital environment.

Overall, the initiative aims to strengthen the digital ecosystem across Europe by expanding EDIH networks and supporting various sectors, particularly in relation to AI and green digital technologies. The selected hubs will provide essential services that aim to facilitate the adoption of digital solutions and enhance the competitiveness of businesses and public services, while also aligning with Europe’s broader climate and environmental goals.

The European Commission is offering funding through the Digital Europe Programme (DIGITAL) to complete the network of European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs) with a reinforced AI focus. The call, DIGITAL-2025-EDIH-AC-08, aims to support the digital transformation of SMEs, mid-caps, and public sector organizations, particularly in countries associated with the Digital Europe Programme that haven't participated in previous EDIH calls. The call is divided into two topics: DIGITAL-2025-EDIH-AC-08-COMPLETION-STEP and DIGITAL-2025-EDIH-AC-08-CONSOLIDATION-STEP. Both topics are DIGITAL-SIMPLE DIGITAL Simple Grants with a single-stage submission process. The opening date for submissions is April 15, 2025, and the deadline is September 2, 2025, at 17:00 Brussels time.

The COMPLETION-STEP topic has a budget of 2,000,000 EUR and aims to award approximately 2 grants. The CONSOLIDATION-STEP topic has a budget of 9,000,000 EUR and aims to award approximately 8 grants.

The objective of this call is to establish EDIHs that provide a comprehensive set of services, including necessary infrastructure, focusing on specific geographical areas and addressing the digital transformation needs of local SMEs, mid-caps, and public sector organizations, with a strong emphasis on AI. The EDIHs are expected to promote the adoption of European AI technologies and other crucial digital technologies, aligning with EU values and a human-centric approach. They should also leverage green digital technologies to contribute to Europe’s climate and environmental goals, enhance industrial resilience, and strengthen strategic autonomy.

EDIHs will collaborate with EU AI Innovation infrastructures, acting as central hubs and ensuring a seamless digital journey for stakeholders. They will promote the use of digital capacities built under the Digital Europe Programme and leverage AI solutions from European start-ups, SMEs, and EU-funded projects, including the AI-on-Demand Platform. Close collaboration with AI Factories and High-Performance Computing competence centres is expected, facilitating access to EuroHPC AI-optimised supercomputers and AI training for SMEs.

To avoid duplication of actions, EDIHs will establish working arrangements with other AI innovation infrastructures, focusing on their role as multipliers and extending their geographical reach. Proposals should describe the planned delivery of AI services and referral mechanisms. Each EDIH will provide services based on a specific focus/expertise, supporting the digital transformation and integration of AI technologies in the local private and public sectors.

The EDIH network is dedicated to promoting the digital transformation of SMEs and public services through four types of services: Test before invest, Training and skill development, Support to access finance, and Fostering an innovation ecosystem and networking. EDIHs are expected to provide all four types of services, targeting SMEs, midcaps, and public sector organizations conducting non-economic activities. They will act as access points to the European network of EDIHs, supporting companies and public actors from other regions and countries.

EDIHs will also serve as contact points for AI innovation infrastructures, providing a first-line AI help desk and offering information on compliance with the AI Act. They will make available experimentation facilities and demonstrators, allowing SMEs, mid-caps, and the public sector to test technologies before investing. Access to finance services, including information on funding sources and connections to investors, will also be provided.

Active networking with other hubs, sharing best practices, and seeking synergies with innovators and early adopters are crucial. EDIHs will be supported by the Digital Transformation Accelerator (DTA) and must participate in DTA activities. They will also use tools like the Digital Maturity Assessment Tool and report Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to the DTA.

Collaboration with AI Factories, High-Performance Computing competence centres, Cybersecurity centres, the AI-on-demand platform, AI Testing and Experimentation Facilities, and other EDIHs is essential. EDIHs will maintain relationships with local actors and serve as an interface for the European Commission to support sectorial, SME, and eGovernment policies. Sustainability beyond the implementation phase is a key consideration.

The total public funding for this action covers 100% of eligible costs, with 50% from the Digital Europe Programme and up to 50% from Member States. State aid must comply with applicable rules, such as de minimis or GBER.

Admissibility conditions relate to proposal page limits and layout, eligible countries, and other eligibility criteria, as detailed in the call document. Financial and operational capacity and exclusion criteria are also specified. The evaluation and award process, including submission, evaluation, award criteria, scoring, thresholds, and indicative timelines, are outlined in the call document and Online Manual. Legal and financial aspects of the grants are also detailed.

Applicants can find application form templates, model grant agreements, DEP work programmes, regulations, and guidelines on the Funding & Tenders Portal. Partner search announcements can be published on the Portal. Help and support are available through a dedicated form, the Funding & Tenders Portal FAQ, the IT Helpdesk, and the Online Manual.

In summary, this call aims to strengthen the European digital ecosystem by expanding the network of EDIHs, particularly in countries that have not yet benefited from this initiative. The focus is on supporting SMEs and the public sector in their digital transformation, with a strong emphasis on AI adoption and the use of green digital technologies. The EDIHs will provide a range of services, including testing facilities, training, access to finance, and networking opportunities, while also collaborating with other key players in the European digital landscape. The funding covers 100% of eligible costs, with contributions from the Digital Europe Programme and Member States.

The European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs) call is about boosting the digital transformation of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and public sector organizations across Europe, with a particular focus on artificial intelligence (AI). Think of it as setting up a network of local support centers, each specializing in different digital technologies, especially AI. These hubs will offer services like testing new technologies before investing, training employees, helping find funding, and connecting businesses with other innovators. The goal is to make it easier for companies and public entities to adopt digital solutions, become more competitive, and contribute to Europe's overall digital leadership. The European Commission is providing funding to help establish these hubs, particularly in regions that haven't yet benefited from this type of support. The call emphasizes collaboration, sustainability, and alignment with European values and environmental goals.

Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicant types are entities from countries associated with the Digital Europe Programme that have not yet participated in any previous EDIH call. These entities should be capable of providing the complete set of services of an EDIH, which implies a focus on SMEs, mid-caps, and public sector organizations.

Funding Type: The funding type is a DIGITAL Simple Grant, specifically a DIGITAL Action Grant Budget-Based.

Consortium Requirement: The call encourages cross-border transnational hubs, suggesting that a consortium of multiple applicants is possible, especially when countries jointly propose and co-fund hubs. However, the primary requirement is that the applicant must be an entity capable of providing the complete set of EDIH services, so a single applicant is also possible.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The geographic eligibility is focused on entities from countries associated with the Digital Europe Programme. The call specifically targets the completion of the EDIH network with entities from these associated countries that have not yet participated in any previous EDIH call. Cross-border transnational hubs are possible, serving neighboring regions in different countries.

Target Sector: The program targets the digital transformation of SMEs, mid-caps, and public sector organizations. It focuses on the integration of AI technologies and the promotion of other crucial digital technologies. Key sectors include artificial intelligence, green digital technologies, high-performance computing, and cybersecurity.

Mentioned Countries: Albania is explicitly mentioned in the Q&A section. The call is open to entities from countries associated with the Digital Europe Programme.

Project Stage: The expected maturity of the project is at the stage of providing services, including experimentation, training, access to finance, and fostering innovation ecosystems. The focus is on entities that can deliver these services to SMEs, mid-caps, and the public sector.

Funding Amount: The funding amounts vary by topic: DIGITAL-2025-EDIH-AC-08-COMPLETION-STEP offers EUR 2,000,000, and DIGITAL-2025-EDIH-AC-08-CONSOLIDATION-STEP offers EUR 9,000,000.

Application Type: The application type is a single-stage open call.

Nature of Support: Beneficiaries will receive money to cover 100% of eligible costs, with 50% coming from the Digital Europe Programme and up to 50% from the Member States. They will also receive non-monetary services through the Digital Transformation Accelerator (DTA), such as matchmaking, training, and capacity building events.

Application Stages: The application process is single-stage.

Success Rates: The indicative number of grants suggests the following success rates: For DIGITAL-2025-EDIH-AC-08-COMPLETION-STEP, 2 grants will be awarded. For DIGITAL-2025-EDIH-AC-08-CONSOLIDATION-STEP, 8 grants will be awarded.

Co-funding Requirement: Yes, co-funding is required. The Digital Europe Programme funds up to 50% of eligible costs, with the remaining portion expected to come from Member States or other sources.

Summary:

This opportunity is a call under the Digital Europe Programme (DIGITAL) aimed at completing the network of European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs) by funding entities from countries associated with the program. The focus is on entities that can provide comprehensive services to support the digital transformation of SMEs, mid-caps, and public sector organizations, with a particular emphasis on AI technologies. The selected EDIHs will act as central hubs, collaborating with EU AI Innovation infrastructures and providing services such as testing, training, access to finance, and fostering innovation ecosystems. The funding covers 100% of eligible costs, split between the Digital Europe Programme and Member States, and applicants must be capable of providing all four types of EDIH services. The call encourages cross-border transnational hubs and active participation in the Digital Transformation Accelerator (DTA). There are two specific topics: one focused on completion with a budget of EUR 2,000,000 and another focused on consolidation with a budget of EUR 9,000,000. The application process is single-stage, with a deadline of September 2, 2025. This initiative aims to enhance the resilience and strategic autonomy of European industry, bridge technology gaps, and support competitiveness and economic convergence through the widespread deployment and uptake of AI and other digital technologies.