Study supporting the review of the Digital Decade policy programme

• September 11, 2026
• admin

This study assesses the EU’s progress toward its 2030 digital transformation goals, highlighting both achievements and emerging gaps in areas like digital infrastructure, cybersecurity, skills, and public services. While the EU has made strides in connectivity (e.g., near-universal basic 5G coverage) and digital rights frameworks, challenges persist in high-quality infrastructure (such as standalone 5G and fibre deployment), cybersecurity resilience, and the commercialisation of advanced technologies like AI and semiconductors. The study also underscores the growing importance of digital sovereignty, particularly in reducing dependencies on non-European providers for critical technologies like cloud services, AI compute, and semiconductors, which are vital for Europe’s strategic autonomy and competitiveness.

To address these challenges, the report proposes adjustments to the DDPP’s targets and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), introducing a streamlined framework of 21 KPIs that better reflect evolving priorities, including cybersecurity preparedness, sustainability, and sovereignty. It emphasizes the need for substantial investment in digital infrastructure, skills, and advanced technologies, alongside enabling reforms such as deeper capital market integration, reduced Single Market fragmentation, and harmonized regulatory frameworks to unlock private funding and support scaling. The study also explores governance options to strengthen coordination between EU institutions, Member States, and stakeholders, ensuring alignment with the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF 2028–2034).

Ultimately, the report argues that achieving the DDPP’s ambitious goals requires not only targeted funding but also structural reforms that foster a more integrated, resilient, and autonomous digital ecosystem in Europe. This includes addressing strategic dependencies in critical value chains, ensuring that the EU can act autonomously in key technologies while remaining open to global cooperation.