Digital Europe Programme: SustainX: Fostering Sustainable Digital Innovation Investment

Digital Europe Programme: SustainX: Fostering Sustainable Digital Innovation Investment is sponsored by European Commission. This call aims to boost sustainable digital innovation in less developed European regions by enhancing SMEs' capacities, fostering interregional collaboration, piloting innovative solutions, and developing a one-stop-shop for innovation investment projects.

The European Union (EU) supports the digital transformation of public administrations through various funding programmes . Here’s an overview of how the funding works, who funds what, and who the stakeholders are for key programmes: Digital Europe Programme (DEP) supports the development of digital infrastructure and skills, focusing on public administration efficiency and accessibility.

Multi-Country Project (MCP) exists to help Member States jointly build interoperable digital public services that work across borders. European Digital Infrastructure Consortium (EDIC) exist to provide a stable legal and governance structure for countries to jointly run large-scale digital infrastructures. Horizon Europe funds research and innovation projects to advance digital technologies and public services.

Interreg promotes regional cooperation to enhance digital connectivity and innovation in public services. Interregional Innovation Investments (I3) Instrument supports interregional innovation projects in their commercialisation and scale-up phases. Technical Support Instrument (TSI) offers tailored technical support for designing and implementing digital reforms in public administrations.

Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) improves digital networks and infrastructure, enhancing public administration services and connectivity. Each programme contributes uniquely to the digital transformation of public administrations, supporting EU objectives of sustainable growth, competitiveness, and cohesion. For more detailed information, visit the European Commission's dedicated pages for these programmes.

Digital Europe Programme (DEP) Funding Source: The DEP is funded by the EU budget, with €7. 6 billion allocated for 2021-2027. Stakeholders: Public administrations, industry, and research communities involved in digital transformation.

Objectives: DEP aims to strengthen Europe’s digital capabilities by funding projects that develop digital infrastructure, enhance cybersecurity, and promote advanced digital skills.

It supports public administrations in deploying AI, high-performance computing, and digital public services to improve efficiency and accessibility European Data Space for Smart Communities Objective: This call supports the creation and validation of a federated European data space for smart and sustainable cities and communities by enabling place-based, cross-sector pilot projects to implement, test, and evolve shared data governance and infrastructure.

Opening date: 01 October 2023 Closing date: 31 December 2026 Support to the implementation of Multi-Country Projects: EDIC Support Hub Objective: This call supports the creation of a support hub for European Digital Infrastructure Consortia (EDICs) involved in Multi-Country Projects under the Digital Europe Programme.

It aims to strengthen coordination, governance and collaboration between Member States in deploying large-scale cross-border digital infrastructures and common European digital solutions.

Opening date: 21 April 2026 Closing date: 01 October 2026 17:00 Brussels time Research Support Framework for Situational Awareness on information integrity Objective: This call supports the establishment of a common research framework for situational awareness on information integrity within the EU.

It aims to provide researchers and relevant stakeholders with shared tools, infrastructure and analytical capacities to monitor, assess and better respond to disinformation and information manipulation across Europe.

Opening date: 21 April 2026 Closing date: 01 October 2026 17:00 Brussels time Digital solutions for regulatory compliance through data Objective: This call supports projects developing digital solutions to automate regulatory compliance and reporting processes through secure data sharing and AI-driven technologies.

It aims to reduce administrative burdens for businesses and public authorities by improving the efficiency, interoperability and transparency of compliance systems across different sectors in the EU.

Opening date: 21 April 2026 Closing date: 01 October 2026 17:00 Brussels time Support to Dissemination and Exploitation (D&E) for the Digital Europe Programme Objective: This call supports activities to strengthen the dissemination and exploitation of results generated under the Digital Europe Programme.

It aims to improve the visibility, uptake and long-term impact of funded projects by developing coordinated dissemination frameworks, tools and strategies that encourage wider adoption of digital solutions across Europe.

Opening date: 21 April 2026 Closing date: 01 October 2026 17:00 Brussels time AI4Gov-X Cascade Funding Call - first edition [AI4Gov-X-FSTP-CALL-01-2026] Objective: This call supports cascade funding for individuals and organisations developing innovative AI-driven solutions for the public sector within the AI4Gov-X initiative.

It aims to foster trustworthy, human-centric and transparent uses of artificial intelligence in public administration, while strengthening digital governance capacities and accelerating the adoption of AI technologies across European public services.

Opening date: 01 May 2026 Closing date: 31 August 2026 23:59 Brussels time AI chip demonstrators for EU compute infrastructure Objective: This call supports the development and validation of European AI chip prototypes by funding PCB-level demonstrators and performance testing on a common EU platform. The best-performing solutions will be selected for further development towards next-generation European AI computing infrastructure.

Opening date: 07 July 2026 Closing date: 23 September 2026 17:00 Brussels time AI compute evaluation and deployment platform for EU infrastructure Objective: This call supports the establishment of a common EU platform to evaluate, benchmark, and deploy European AI chips and compute systems.

It aims to enable the first pilot deployments of European AI infrastructure while strengthening demand for EU-developed AI hardware and enhancing Europe's technological sovereignty.

Opening date: 07 July 2026 Closing date: 23 September 2026 17:00 Brussels time Skills Hubs of Excellence Objective: This call supports the creation of academic Hubs of Excellence to develop industry-focused education and training programmes in key semiconductor technologies.

It aims to strengthen Europe's semiconductor workforce by increasing the number of highly skilled graduates, promoting talent diversity and mobility, and aligning education with industry needs. Opening date: 07 July 2026 Closing date: 24 September 2026 17:00 Brussels time Funding Source: Horizon Europe is the EU’s main funding programme for research and innovation, with over €95 billion for 2021-2027.

Stakeholders: Researchers, universities, research organizations, SMEs, public authorities, and private sector entities. Objectives: Horizon Europe promotes scientific excellence and innovation, addressing societal challenges and fostering economic growth. It supports projects that advance digital technologies, enhance public services, and improve administrative processes​.

EIC Accelerator 2026 - Short proposal Objective: This call supports projects led by start-ups and SMEs that demonstrate disruptive, deep-tech innovations with high market-creation potential and the ambition to rapidly scale internationally. Proposals may be in any field of technology (open strand) or address pre-defined strategic challenges (challenge strand); funding includes a grant component (up to around €2.

5 million) and an equity investment component (typically €1-10 million) to accelerate deployment and growth. Selected companies also gain access to tailored Business Acceleration Services, such as coaching, mentoring, investor matchmaking and ecosystem support, enabling them to turn breakthrough research into commercial success and reinforce Europe’s innovation and industrial leadership.

Opening date: 06 November 2025 Closing date: 17 December 2026 17:00 (Brussels time) Approaches and tools for security in software and hardware development and assessment Objective: This call funds research and innovation projects developing tools and methods to secure hardware and software supply chains, including trusted chip architectures and secure software development frameworks.

The objective is to strengthen cybersecurity across digital infrastructures and ensure secure, resilient digital systems for next-generation computing and networking in Europe.

Opening date: 03 March 2026 Closing date: 15 September 2026 17:00 Brussels time Enhancing the Security, Privacy and Robustness of AI Models and Systems (SecureAI) Objective: This call funds research and innovation projects developing methods to protect AI systems from adversarial attacks, data poisoning, and other security threats.

It supports the creation of robust and privacy-preserving AI solutions that enable trusted deployment of AI in sensitive environments, including government and critical infrastructure contexts. Opening date: 03 March 2026 Closing date: 15 September 2026 17:00 Brussels time Objective: This AI-BOOST challenge competition supports the development of innovative Generative AI solutions for autonomous robotics and engineering design.

Through a two-phase programme, selected teams will receive funding and support to develop, validate, and demonstrate AI solutions targeting industrial applications, with a focus on trustworthy, scalable, and human-centric AI technologies.

Opening date: 19 June 2026 Closing date: 25 August 2026 17:00 Brussels time Co-Creation Accelerator 2026-2027 Objective: The EIT Digital Co-Creation Accelerator 2026–2027 supports collaborative innovation projects that bring together startups, industry, research organisations, and other stakeholders to develop and scale digital solutions.

The programme provides funding and support for short-term co-creation activities aimed at accelerating market-ready innovations and strengthening Europe’s digital ecosystem. Opening date: 01 July 2026 Closing date: 08 September 2026 17:00 Brussels time Objective: The AI-BOOST Challenge Competition supports the development of Generative AI solutions for healthcare and automotive safety applications.

Through a two-phase programme, selected teams will develop, validate, and demonstrate innovative AI technologies for enhancing clinical datasets and automating safety test generation, contributing to trustworthy, scalable, and human-centric AI solutions.

Opening date: 03 July 2026 Closing date: 08 September 2026 17:00 Brussels time European Partnership on Innovative SMEs/Eurostars: joint transnational call for proposals (CALL 11 of Eurostars-3) Objective: The Eurostars-3 Joint Transnational Call supports innovative SMEs and their international partners in developing market-oriented R&D and innovation projects.

It provides funding for collaborative projects involving SMEs, companies, universities, and research organisations to create new products, processes, or services with strong commercialisation potential and global market impact.

Opening date: 09 July 2026 Closing date: 10 September 2026 14:00 Brussels time DeepRAP: Deep Reasoning, Abstraction & Planning towards trustworthy Cognitive AI Systems Objective: This call supports novel research on trustworthy cognitive AI systems advancing deep reasoning, abstraction, and planning beyond current AI methods.

Projects should develop explainable, fair, secure, and EU AI Act-aligned systems, demonstrate them at TRL4 in real-world tasks, and contribute to shared benchmarks, FAIR results, and EU AI synergies.

Opening date: 22 July 2026 Closing date: 28 October 2026 17:00 Brussels time Open Call 3 - Short Term and Long Term Funding to support ICT standardisation Objective: This call supports European ICT standardisation specialists contributing to international and global standards development.

It funds short- and long-term participation in Standards Development Organisations, including working group activities, standards drafting, meetings, liaison work, and membership fees. The aim is to strengthen Europe’s role in global ICT standardisation, with priority areas including cybersecurity and the Cyber Resilience Act.

Opening date: 30 July 2026 Closing date: 02 October 2026 17:00 Brussels time Technical Support Instrument (TSI) Funding Source: TSI is funded through the EU budget under DG REFORM, with a focus on supporting structural reforms. Stakeholders: National and regional authorities of EU Member States, experts from Member States' administrations, international organisations, private firms, and consultants.

Objectives: TSI provides tailored technical expertise to help Member States design and implement digital reforms. It supports projects that enhance digital governance, modernise public administration, and improve public service delivery through the adoption of digital technologies​.

European Public Sector Award Objective: This call supports the European Public Sector Award (EPSA 2025) in promoting public sector reform, innovation, and data-driven administration across Europe by recognising and sharing best practices in reform implementation. It encourages capacity building, knowledge exchange, and the dissemination of successful projects funded under EU programmes.

Opening date: 01 October 2025 Closing date: 31 May 2027 AI4SMARTAUDIT - Use of artificial intelligence on audit of the EU Funds Objective: This call supports the use of artificial intelligence to modernise and improve the audit of EU funds.

It develops AI-based predictive analytics and smart digital audit tools to reduce administrative burden, costs, and manual workload while increasing the detection of errors, fraud risks, and irregularities. Opening date: 16 October 2025 Closing date: 15 April 2027 Funding Source: Interreg is financed through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and other EU instruments.

Stakeholders: Regional and local authorities, public bodies, NGOs, and businesses. Objectives: Interreg promotes cross-border, transnational, and interregional cooperation. It funds projects that enhance digital connectivity and innovation in public administrations, facilitating collaboration and knowledge sharing across regions to address common challenges and improve public service delivery​.

To check if your project is eligible for funding from Interreg Europe visit Interregeurope. eu Interregional Innovation Investments (I3) Instrument The European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA), in collaboration with DG REGIO, has launched the Interregional Innovation Investments (I3) Support Facility to enhance interregional innovation and support the objectives of the I3 Instrument.

This initiative will provide technical support, matchmaking, policy guidance, and capacity-building tools to help stakeholders develop strong innovation ecosystems and integrate into European value chains. Discover more about this initiative here . Objective : The aim of this call is to accelerate market uptake of research results and boost regional innovation ecosystems.

The 2023-2024 programme supports investment-ready projects, value chain development in less developed regions, and capacity-building for interregional innovation. Investment Call Strand 1 : [CLOSED] Opening planned on 22 May 2025 and closing on 20 November 2025. Investment Call Strand 2a : [CLOSED] Opening planned on 22 May 2025 and closing on 20 November 2025.

Final Capacity Building Call Cap2b : Opening planned on 23 October 2025 and closing on 19 March 2026. We Are Health Champions - Disrupting the European Healthcare Systems with Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality Applications Objective: This call supports accelerating the adoption of VR/AR technologies in healthcare by reducing market barriers in less developed European regions.

Focusing on five flagship SMEs, it upgrades their VR/AR solutions from TRL 6 to TRL 9 in areas such as surgical navigation, therapeutic immersive games, cognitive assessment, medical education, and headset customisation for medical use.

Opening date: 01 October 2024 Closing date: 30 September 2027 Advanced CoMputing Continuum Solutions for Boosting DigITalization across European RegionS Objective: This call supports advancing digitalisation in Europe by developing a transparent computing continuum infrastructure that integrates Cloud, Edge, and IoT resources.

It enables SMEs to enhance existing services (TRL6 or higher) with advanced data aggregation, analytics, AI-enabled forecasting, and secure information exchange.

Opening date: 01 October 2024 Closing date: 30 September 2026 IRHIS - Interoperable Remote Health Innovation brought to Scale Objective: This call supports the establishment of the first EU-wide Advanced Remote Care Demonstration Chain by scaling AI-powered MedTech solutions across Less Developed Regions.

IRHIS will deploy 8 key technologies in 3 Interregional DemoScale Labs targeting musculoskeletal rehabilitation, neurological disorder treatment, and ICU care.

Opening date: 02 September 2024 Closing date: 01 September 2027 Innovation, Growth, and Networking, Igniting Technology and Economy for Less Developed Regions Objective: This call supports empowering less developed regions (LDRs) by driving adoption of advanced manufacturing technologies and fostering cross-regional collaboration.

IGNITE-LDR bridges gaps between innovation hubs and LDR SMEs using tools like AGORA, F6S, and RAMP Marketplace, complemented by regional testbeds and hubs.

Opening date: 01 Decembre 2025 Closing date: 30 November 2028 Metaverse and Heritage Routes as Innovative Approaches for Networking, Capacity Building and Interregional Investments Objective: This call supports using heritage tourism and Metaverse technologies to boost interregional networking, capacity building, and investment in less developed regions.

MetaHeritage explores heritage/cultural routes and immersive digital technologies (VR/AR/3D) to engage quadruple helix stakeholders-clusters, companies, research institutions, GLAMs, civil society, and public authorities.

Opening date: 01 January 2025 Closing date: 31 December 2026 SustainX: Fostering Sustainable Digital Innovation Investment Objective: This call supports boosting sustainable digital innovation in less developed European regions. SustainX focuses on enhancing SMEs’ capacities, fostering interregional collaboration, piloting innovative solutions, and developing a one-stop-shop for innovation investment projects.

Opening date: 01 January 2025 Closing date: 31 December 2026 I3-2026-INV1 - Interregional Innovation Investments Strand 1 Objective: This call supports interregional innovation investment projects bringing together innovation actors from different European regions to develop and scale up mature innovations in shared smart specialisation areas.

It aims to strengthen European value chains, improve regional innovation ecosystems and increase the competitiveness and resilience of EU industries through cross-border collaboration and commercialisation activities.

Opening date: 13 May 2026 Closing date: 12 November 2026 17:00 Brussels time I3-2026-INV2a - Interregional Innovation Investments Strand 2a Objective: This call supports interregional innovation investment projects involving less developed and transition regions in shared smart specialisation areas.

It aims to help innovation actors scale up and commercialise mature innovations, strengthen European value chains and reduce regional innovation gaps through cross-border cooperation, technology transfer and business development activities. Opening date: 13 May 2026 Closing date: 12 November 2026 17:00 Brussels time Image source: https://eismea. ec.

europa. eu/news/corrigendum-interregional-innovation-investment-i3-instrument-calls-proposals-2022-08-24_en Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) Funding Source: CEF is funded by the EU budget, with €33. 7 billion for 2021-2027.

Stakeholders: Public authorities, infrastructure operators, and private entities in the transport, energy, and digital sectors. Objectives: CEF aims to enhance EU connectivity and infrastructure by funding projects that develop and modernize digital networks.

It supports public administrations in deploying high-speed broadband, digital public services, and secure digital infrastructures to improve administrative efficiency and citizen engagement​ Source : Connecting Europe Facility - Digital Please revisit soon for forthcoming updates.

Description of the European funding types European Digital Infrastructure Consortia (EDICs) European Digital Infrastructure Consortia (EDICs) were established under the Digital Decade Policy Programme 2030 . They provide a legal and governance framework for Member States to jointly develop and operate shared digital infrastructures.

Initiatives such as IMPACTS EDIC , along with emerging EDICs on Digital Commons and CitiVERSE , are expected to play a key role in improving interoperability and supporting the Digital Decade goal of fully online public services for citizens and businesses across the EU.

The Multi-Country Project (MCP) The Multi-Country Project (MCP) under the Digital Europe Work Programme 2025–2027 will co-finance cross-border projects to improve interoperability in public administrations. With €6 million in funding at a 50% rate, it supports the joint development of foundational digital assets to enable connected public services across countries, starting by the end of 2026.

For more information visit the Digital Decade - Multi-country projects page. Pre-Commercial Procurement (PCP) Overview PCP is a procurement method used by public sector organizations to develop innovative solutions. Funded by the European Commission, it progresses through three main phases, each with distinct funding levels and objectives.

Two-Level Funding Structure of PCP PCP operates as a two-level funding program: The European Commission provides grants to consortiums, which typically include public sector procurers and other partners. These consortiums manage the overall PCP process and ensure the coordination and implementation of the project.

Cascade Funding to Other Beneficiaries: The consortiums, in turn, distribute funds (cascade funding) to selected suppliers and innovators (other beneficiaries) who participate in the different phases of the PCP. This structure allows the consortium to fund multiple suppliers at various stages of solution development and testing. Solution Exploration (Phase 1): Objective: Assess feasibility of proposed solutions.

Activities: Feasibility studies and initial designs by multiple suppliers. Funding: €10,000 - €50,000 per supplier. Funded by: The consortiums (main beneficiaries of the grants) distribute the funds provided by the European Commission to public sector procurers.

Beneficiaries: Suppliers and innovators conducting feasibility studies. Targeted Suppliers: Startups, SMEs, research institutions, and innovative tech firms. Objective: Develop and test prototypes.

Activities: Prototype development and initial testing. Funding: €50,000 - €200,000 per supplier. Funded by: The consortiums distribute the funds provided by the European Commission to selected suppliers from Phase 1.

Beneficiaries: Selected suppliers developing prototypes. Targeted Suppliers: SMEs, research institutions, and specialized tech firms with proven feasibility studies. Original Development and Testing (Phase 3): Objective: Refine and test prototypes in real-world conditions.

Activities: Extensive development and field testing. Funding: €200,000 - €2,000,000 per supplier. Funded by: The consortiums distribute the funds provided by the European Commission to the most promising prototypes.

Beneficiaries: Suppliers conducting development and real-world testing of prototypes. Targeted Suppliers: Established tech firms, consortiums of SMEs and research institutions, and innovators with successful prototypes. Main Beneficiaries of PCP Funds The primary beneficiaries of PCP grants are public sector organizations, often referred to as "contracting authorities."

These include: Government Departments: National, regional, or local government bodies seeking innovative solutions for public services. Healthcare Providers: Hospitals and health authorities aiming to improve medical technologies and healthcare services. Public Utilities: Organizations managing public infrastructure like water, energy, and transportation networks.

Research Institutions and Universities: Often involved as partners or sub-contractors to provide expertise and support in the R&D process. PCP drives innovation, enhances public services, and fosters collaboration between the public sector and innovative suppliers, ultimately benefiting citizens and the economy. For more information, visit the European Commission's PCP page .

Financial Support to Third Parties (FSTP) Overview FSTP is a mechanism used by the European Commission to provide financial support to third parties (typically SMEs, startups, or other organizations) through intermediaries like consortiums or larger projects. This approach allows for more targeted and effective distribution of funds to promote innovation and address specific challenges.

Two-Level Funding Structure of FSTP FSTP operates as a two-level funding program: EU Funds to Intermediaries: The European Commission provides grants to intermediaries, such as consortiums, projects, or larger organizations. These intermediaries manage the overall process and ensure the coordination and implementation of the funding program.

Cascade Funding to Third Parties: The intermediaries distribute funds (cascade funding) to selected third parties (beneficiaries) who carry out specific projects or activities. This structure allows intermediaries to fund multiple third parties, enabling targeted support for innovation and project development. Objective: Identify and select third parties for funding.

Activities: Intermediaries issue calls for proposals to attract innovative projects and solutions. Funding: Variable amounts based on the scope and objectives of the call. Beneficiaries: Third parties carrying out the funded projects.

Funded by: The intermediaries distribute the funds provided by the European Commission. Beneficiaries: Selected third parties (SMEs, startups, research institutions) submitting proposals. Targeted Suppliers: Startups, SMEs, research institutions, and innovative tech firms.

Simplified Process: Reduced administrative burden for smaller entities compared to traditional EU funding. Targeted Support: Focus on specific innovation and development goals, aligning with broader EU strategic objectives. Flexibility: Funding can take various forms, including grants, vouchers for services, and access to testing facilities.

Main Beneficiaries of FSTP Funds The primary beneficiaries of FSTP funds are third parties that participate in the program. These include: Startups: Early-stage companies developing innovative solutions. SMEs: Small and medium-sized enterprises working on projects that address specific challenges.

Research Institutions and Universities: Often involved as partners or sub-contractors to provide expertise and support in the development and implementation of projects. Innovative Tech Firms: Companies with the capability to develop and implement cutting-edge technologies. FSTP promotes innovation, supports the growth of SMEs and startups, and fosters collaboration between intermediaries and third parties.

It helps bridge the gap between initial research and full-scale implementation, ultimately benefiting the broader economy and society. For more information, visit the European Commission's FSTP page . Simple Grants in the Digital Europe Programme The Digital Europe Programme supports the digital transformation of Europe by providing funding through Simple Grants.

These grants offer direct financial support to projects in key digital areas. For more information, visit the European Commission's Digital Europe Programme page . Direct Funding: Non-repayable grants for specific digital projects.

Targeted Objectives: Focus on AI, cybersecurity, digital skills, high-performance computing (HPC), and digital innovation hubs. Eligible Beneficiaries: Open to public and private entities, including SMEs, startups, research institutions, and public administrations. Application Process: Regular calls for proposals; applicants submit project plans with objectives, activities, and budgets.

Evaluation and Selection: Proposals evaluated on relevance, innovation, impact, and feasibility. Co-Funding Levels: The European Commission typically co-funds up to 50% of the project costs, though this can vary depending on the specific call and project requirements. Promotes Innovation: Stimulates development and deployment of digital technologies.

Enhances Competitiveness: Boosts the competitiveness of European businesses. Fosters Collaboration: Encourages partnerships across sectors and countries. Addresses Challenges: Tackles societal issues like digital inclusion and cybersecurity.

Grants for Procurement in the Digital Europe Programme The Digital Europe Programme supports the digital transformation of Europe by providing funding through grants for procurement. These grants are designed to finance the procurement of digital solutions and services that meet specific public sector needs. For more information, visit the European Commission's Digital Europe Programme page .

Direct Funding: Non-repayable grants to support the procurement of digital solutions and services. Targeted Objectives: Focus on AI, cybersecurity, digital skills, high-performance computing (HPC), and digital innovation hubs. Eligible Beneficiaries: Open to public sector entities, including government departments, municipalities, healthcare providers, and public utilities.

Application Process: Regular calls for proposals; public sector entities submit project plans detailing their procurement needs, expected outcomes, and budgets. Evaluation and Selection: Proposals evaluated based on relevance to the call objectives, innovation potential, impact, and implementation feasibility.

Co-Funding Levels: The European Commission typically co-funds up to 50% of the procurement costs, though this can vary depending on the specific call and project requirements. Promotes Innovation: Encourages the adoption of cutting-edge digital solutions in the public sector. Enhances Public Services: Improves the efficiency and effectiveness of public services through advanced digital technologies.

Fosters Collaboration: Supports partnerships between public sector entities and innovative suppliers. Addresses Challenges: Helps tackle key public sector challenges like digital inclusion, cybersecurity, and service modernization.

Technical Support Instrument (TSI) Funding Overview The Technical Support Instrument (TSI) is a European Union (EU) program designed to provide tailored technical expertise to EU Member States to support the design and implementation of reforms. The TSI helps enhance the administrative capacity and efficiency of public administrations, contributing to a more effective implementation of EU policies and funds.

For more information, visit the European Commission's TSI page . Direct Support from the European Commission The European Commission directly funds technical support projects. Funding covers the costs of technical assistance, including expertise, studies, training, and other capacity-building activities.

Request Submission: EU Member States submit requests for technical support to the European Commission. These requests are typically aligned with national reform priorities and EU policy objectives. Proposal Evaluation: The European Commission evaluates the requests based on criteria such as relevance, impact, and feasibility.

The selection process ensures that the support addresses key reform needs and has a high potential for successful implementation. Approval and Implementation: Once approved, the European Commission works with the Member State to implement the technical support project. This involves deploying experts, conducting studies, organizing training sessions, and other relevant activities.

The TSI provides support in various policy areas, including public administration reform, financial management, healthcare, education, labor markets, and digital transformation. Projects are designed to align with both national reform agendas and broader EU priorities, such as the Green Deal, digitalisation, and economic resilience.

Expertise and Consultancy: Provision of experts to offer technical advice and consultancy services to public administrations. Studies and Analysis: Conducting studies and analyses to inform policy decisions and reform strategies. Training and Capacity Building: Organizing training programs and workshops to enhance the skills and capabilities of public officials.

Peer Learning and Exchange: Facilitating peer learning and exchange of best practices among Member States. No Direct Funding to Member States: The European Commission covers the full cost of the technical support provided under the TSI. Member States do not receive direct financial transfers or funding.

Commission-Funded Projects: The technical support is funded directly by the European Commission and managed through projects implemented in collaboration with the Member States. Enhanced Capacity: Builds the administrative capacity of public administrations to implement reforms effectively. Expert Support: Provides access to high-quality technical expertise and best practices.

Alignment with EU Priorities: Ensures that national reforms are aligned with EU policy objectives and contribute to overall EU goals. No Co-Financing Required: Full funding by the European Commission reduces the financial burden on Member States, as they do not need to provide co-financing or direct funds for the support projects.