Tetovo, 13 December 2024 (MIA) – The EU-funded Digital Europe Programme (DIGITAL) that aims to shape the digital transformation of Europe’s society and economy was presented at Europe House Tetovo on Friday. The overall budget of DIGITAL for the 2021-2027 period is €7.5 billion. 

Under the programme, citizens and institutions can apply in four areas including artificial intelligence, supercomputing, advanced digital skills, and advanced digital technologies.

EU Ambassador Michalis Rokas presented the opportunities of the programme. 

"Investment in digital transformation affects all elements of life, not only the administration, municipalities, but also citizens and businesses, and the fact is that it is an investment that will never go to waste. It should be an investment and a system accessible to everyone, both in terms of decision-makers and as a tool improving the daily life of citizens. Such a system is also a tool for the Government in fighting corruption," said Rokas. 

Minister of Digital Transformation Stefan Andonovski said the Government, within the Digital Europe Programme (DIGITAL), has already signed a grant agreement with the European Union for the establishment of a National Safer Internet Center. 

"The Ministry has also placed exceptional focus on the introduction of digital ID cards and driving licences through the ID Wallet system - a technology that is already standard across most developed European countries. In parallel, intensive work is under way on several legal texts related to these processes. At a previous session of the Government, we already reached a conclusion on signing the grant agreement, which is our second project within the Digital Europe framework. Through this project, we will provide the Diia app from Ukraine to Macedonian citizens. This will mean more accessible services via mobile phone and electronic personal documents available everywhere," said Andonovski. 

The concept of INNOFEIT - the first Macedonian European Digital Innovation Hub (EDIH), part of the Digital Europe Programme, was also presented on Friday.

Photo: Ministry of Digital Transformation