Specific Objective 4

Advanced digital skills

About this programme

About the programme

Specific Objective 4 – Advanced Digital Skills supports achieving the target of 20 million ICT specialists employed in Europe by 2030 set in the Digital Decade Policy Programme, while attracting more young people to ICT careers and decreasing the gender gap in the field.

Activities will focus on the industrial needs in digital areas and on the scale up of relevant digital education and training offers in close coordination with industry.

In the 2025-2027 period, activities under SO 4 will comprise the following aspects:

  • Establishing digital skills academies in four key digital areas (quantum, artificial intelligence, semiconductors and virtual worlds) to address the unique skills needs of each specific digital area, ranging from developing higher education programmes to different targeted and modular short-term training and hands-on experiences.
  • Supporting the delivery of higher education and training programmes in some additional key digital areas such as data analytics, advanced communication networks (5G/ 6G), cybersecurity, internet of things, robotics, edge and cloud computing and software engineering, and skills for the development and uptake of applied technologies.
  • Engaging young people in cutting edge digital technologies.
  • Further supporting and expanding four existing actions: i) attracting and keeping skilled women in tech; ii) the EU Code week initiative; iii) the Digital Skills and Jobs Platform and iv) the Cybersecurity skills academy.
  • Reinforcing the European educational technology ecosystem by supporting startups and SMEs to offer highly innovative educational solutions that are in line with the EU values and legislation.
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Your NCP contact for this programme

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Marie Timmermann

marie.timmermann@fwo.be

+32 2 550 15 59

Your PC contact for this programme

Find the contact info on the site of WEWIS

The National Contact Points (NCPs) provide support, guidance, and practical information to potential applicants, helping them navigate funding opportunities and application processes.

The Programme Committee (PC) members represent their country in decision-making about the work programmes, evaluate implementation, and provide strategic input on priorities and calls.

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Testimonial

image of YoPA – Youth-centered participatory action for a healthy lifestyle

YoPA – Youth-centered participatory action for a healthy lifestyle

The YoPA project, ‘a youth-centred preventive action approach towards co-created implementation of socially and physically activating environmental interventions’ obtained funding from Horizon Europe’s Health Cluster. The project addresses the multifaceted challenges of physical inactivity and health inequalities through a unique participatory approach. The project places teenagers between 12 and 18 years old in vulnerable situations at the forefront of the intervention process. The Institute of Tropical Medicine is a partner in the project and will conduct a Realist Evaluation to understand how youth co-creation contributes to improved adolescent health and well-being in four cities in Denmark, Netherlands, Nigeria and South Africa.  By integrating its results and sharing its approach in an open access Toolbox, ITM aims to contribute to fostering sustainable, youth-led solutions for healthier urban environments.