This is the first lesson of the second module of EUPress Teacher Training, relating to the macro topic of “European policies on digital economy and society”.
The aim of this lesson is to explore the main EU strategies for the implementation of a digital transition in the Member States.
The European Union has unveiled a comprehensive vision for the Digital Decade — its strategy to guide Europe’s digital transformation through 2030. It is an ambitious framework that puts people, rights, and sustainability at its core, while setting measurable goals around skills, infrastructure, business innovation, and public services.
Four targets for 2030
The Digital Decade policy is built around four concrete objectives:
- Digitally Skilled Population and High-Level Experts
- Basic digital skills for at least 80% of EU citizens
- At least 20 million ICT specialists employed across the Union
- Secure and Sustainable Digital Infrastructure
- Universal access to gigabit connectivity
- Deployment of 10,000 climate-neutral edge nodes across Europe
- Doubling production of cutting-edge semiconductors in the EU
- Digital Transformation of Businesses
- 75% of companies to adopt cloud/AI/big data solutions
- 90% of SMEs to reach at least a basic level of digital intensity
- Digitalisation of Public Services
- 100% of core public services available online
- 100% of citizens able to access medical records digitally
A governance structure for accountability
To ensure the targets are met, the Digital Decade Policy Programme 2030 introduces:
- Annual State of the Digital Decade reports, as accountability tools
- Shared KPIs based on the Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI)
- National and EU-level trajectories, updated every two years
The Commission and Member States will jointly monitor progress, adjusting investments and policy actions if targets fall behind.
Multi-country projects: pooling resources for shared goals
A key feature of the programme is the launch of multi-country projects — cross-border initiatives designed to develop strategic digital capacities that individual countries cannot build alone. Priority areas include:
- Pan-European 5G corridors
- European-wide data infrastructures
- High-performance computing and AI testing facilities
These projects will combine EU funding, national budgets, and private investment, making large-scale innovation financially viable.
Digital Rights and Principles: Europe’s ethical compass
In 2022, EU institutions signed the Declaration on Digital Rights and Principles, articulating values to guide digital transformation. Its six pillars include:
- Putting people and their rights at the centre
- Supporting solidarity and inclusion
- Fostering participation in digital public spaces
- Ensuring safety, security, and empowerment online
- Promoting sustainable and responsible digital practices
This makes the Digital Decade not just a technical agenda, but a societal contract — one that reaffirms the EU’s commitment to a digital future that is fair, democratic, and sustainable across all regions and groups.
