The European Commission, within the framework of the "Digital Europe" Programme, has launched the following two calls with 100% EU financies:
1. DIGITAL-2026-SKILLS-09-LEAGUE-OF-ACADEMIES (ELEVATE)
The call DIGITAL-2026-SKILLS-09-LEAGUE-OF-ACADEMIES aims to establish the European League of Advanced Digital Skills Academies (ELEVATE). This initiative is a key mechanism for coordination, standardization and promotion of the European ecosystem for advanced digital skills.
The call supports activities for:
• coordination and networking of academies and European initiatives in the field of advanced digital skills;
• development of a quality seal for ICT training and a European framework for modular certification;
• establishment of mentoring and scholarship support programmes, and a European alumni network;
• organisation of European events, including a virtual career fair;
• providing market intelligence and skills of needs analysis.
The total budget is €7.2 million and the projects will be implemented over a period of 48 months.
A consortium of at least 3 organisations from 3 different Member States or associated with the DIGITAL programme is required. Participants may include: universities and higher education institutions, vocational education and training (VET), institutions and centres, research organisations, businesses, ICT companies and industrial partners, public institutions, non-governmental organisations active in the digital sector.
This call is of particular importance for strengthening capacities for advanced digital skills in Europe, as well as for supporting the objectives of the Digital Decade, especially in terms of increasing the number of ICT specialists and the participation of women in the digital sector.
2. DIGITAL-2026-SKILLS-09-COMPETITIONS
The call DIGITAL-2026-SKILLS-09-COMPETITIONS - European Competitions for Advanced Digital Skills, is intended to design and implement six European competitions in advanced digital technologies. These competitions aim to foster creativity, innovation and practical knowledge among students from European higher education institutions.
The competitions will cover the following areas:
• artificial intelligence,
• virtual worlds,
• quantum technologies,
• semiconductors,
• the Destination Earth initiative,
• plus one additional area chosen by the consortium.
Each competition must include at least three technical challenges, developed in collaboration with leading research institutions and industry.
The competitions should attract student teams from at least four countries, and the final ceremony will take place in Brussels.
The budget of the call is 7.2 million euros, and the projects will be implemented over a period of 36 months.
A consortium of at least 3 organizations from 3 different Member States or associated with the DIGITAL program is required. Participants may include: universities and higher education institutions, vocational education and training (VET) institutions and centres, research organizations, businesses, ICT companies and industrial partners, public institutions, non-governmental organizations active in the digital sector.
This call represents a significant opportunity to foster talent, practical skills, innovation and the involvement of young people in solving European technological challenges.
The calls are open for applications on 4 November 2025 with a deadline for submitting applications on 3 March 2026.
For additional information, you can contact us at the following e-mail: Ljupka.trninkova@mdt.gov.mk ; digital.europe@mdt.gov.mk
Ministry of Digital Transformation