On June 30, 2023, Mihailo Jovanovic, Serbia’s Minister of Information and Telecommunications, signed an association agreement for the country’s participation in the EU Digital Europe Programme. The agreement was signed on the margins of the Regulatory Dialogue with the Western Balkans, alongside similar agreements with Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Albania.
Digital Europe has an overall budget of approximately EUR 7.5 billion (approximately $8.2 billion) for the 2021-2027 period. Serbia’s association covers Specific Objectives 1, 2, 4, and 5, which include supercomputing, artificial intelligence, advanced digital skills, and deployment of digital technologies. The agreement applies retroactively from January 1, 2023.
Participation in Digital Europe enables Serbian businesses, public administrations, and research organizations to access EU-funded calls in areas that include quantum-related activities, such as the supercomputing and HPC components managed through the EuroHPC Joint Undertaking. Serbian entities may also participate in the establishment of Digital Innovation Hubs within the country.