News item | 29-04-2025 | 15:30
Stimulating innovations with digital technologies is not a choice but a necessity. To reduce or prevent risky dependencies on other countries, for a stronger digital economy and for cyber safety. Through the Digital Europe program (DEP), the European Commission and the Ministry of Economic Affairs therefore make 1.7 billion euros available for this in the period 2025-2027.
This financing is intended for small and large companies, knowledge institutions and governments that need extra financing for AI, data, cloud and cyber security innovations and digital skills, for example in the manufacturing industry. Dutch entrepreneurs and knowledge institutions currently receive the most financing from all 27 EU countries from the DEP. In 2024 it was 11.7% of the total, good for around 46 million euros.
In addition to the EU money, the Ministry of Economic Affairs also contributes to the DEP with additional national co-financing (€ 16.2 million) in the period 2025-2027 to stimulate innovation with digital technology.
Minister Dirk Beljaarts (Economic Affairs): “It is important that we are taking an extra step for an innovative digital economy. This is one of the driving forces behind our future jobs and income. It is also necessary for more digital independence and security. The speed of technological developments outside the EU and lack of work -productism. manufacturing industry and tech companies to invest in this together with knowledge institutions and governments. ”
Pace up to keep the Netherlands at world top
Digitization by SMEs, the use of digital innovations and the quality of the digital infrastructure have been improved in the Netherlands. At the same time, the pace is too low to keep the Netherlands at the world top, there is a significant shortage of IT specialists and private investments are left in the digital infrastructure. This was evident in March 2025 from the progress report of the Cabinet Strategy Digital Economy.
The cabinet ambition is to belong to the European TOP-3 by 2030 with regard to the application of digital technologies by SMEs. This means that 95% of Dutch SMEs apply at least a basic level of digitization compared to 75% in 2021. In the meantime, the basic level has risen to 81.5% in 2024. To get to 95%, substantial steps are therefore still required.
In addition, the aim is to also increase the use of advanced digital technologies – such as cloud, artificial intelligence (AI) and data analytics – within SMEs in 2030. In the meantime, more SME entrepreneurs fit AI (from 13% to 23%) and cloud services (from 64%). The development of Dutch and European innovations, especially when it comes to cloud applications, is still far behind the United States and Asia. That threatens the economy and safety.
Work program Digital Europe 2025-2027
The European Commission recently published the new work programs for the period 2025-2027. On the Website of RVO Is the complete overview of the topics for which entrepreneurs can apply for financing in the period 2025-2027.