Today, the European Commission signed an association agreement for the Digital Europe Programme with Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Firstly, Thierry Breton, Commissioner for Internal Market, will sign the agreement, followed shortly by the signature of Edin Forto, the Minister of Communication and Traffic of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Following the signatures, and upon the completion of the related ratification processes, the association agreement will enter into force retroactively as of 1 January 2024. Businesses, public administrations and other eligible organisations in Bosnia and Herzegovina will be able to apply to open calls of the Digital Europe Programme, a programme with an overall budget of €7.5 billion in the 2021-2027 period.
Participants from Bosnia and Herzegovina will be able to take part in projects that deploy digital technologies across the EU in specific areas such as artificial intelligence and advanced digital skills. They will also be able to set up Digital Innovation Hubs in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
This will bring Bosnia and Herzegovina closer to the EU economy and society, benefit their technology capabilities and support digitalisation overall, in particular that of small and medium-sized businesses. Its association to the Digital Europe Programme is poised to make meaningful contributions to the shared goals, values, and strong links between Bosnia and Herzegovina and the European Union in the realm of digital technologies.
The Digital Europe Programme’s funds will complement funding available to Bosnia and Herzegovina through other EU programmes such as Horizon Europe. The objectives and specific topic areas that are currently eligible for funding are detailed in the Work Programmes.
Source & Image Credit: European Commission
