On May 14, 2024, the European Commission signed an association agreement for the Digital Europe Programme with Bosnia and Herzegovina. Commissioner for Internal Market Thierry Breton signed on behalf of the EU, with Minister of Communications and Transport Edin Forto signing for Bosnia and Herzegovina, according to the European Commission announcement. The agreement applies retroactively from January 1, 2024.
A formal signing ceremony took place in Sarajevo on June 4, 2024, where Minister Forto stated that Bosnia and Herzegovina was “putting the European funds at the disposal of companies, universities, institutes and public institutions.” The Digital Europe Programme has an overall budget of €7.5 billion (approximately $8.1 billion) for the 2021–2027 period and covers supercomputing, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and advanced digital skills, according to the EU Delegation to Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Under the agreement, businesses, public administrations, and other eligible organizations in Bosnia and Herzegovina can apply for open calls across specific objectives of the programme, including those related to supercomputing and advanced digital skills. Participants will also be able to establish Digital Innovation Hubs in the country. The programme’s funds complement funding already available to Bosnia and Herzegovina through its association with Horizon Europe, which took effect in January 2021.