Digital Europe Calls for SMEs: what they are and how to apply

The
digitization
will play an increasingly decisive role in the future development of enterprises. Indeed, as a testament to the importance of adopting andintegrating cutting-edge technologies into business operations, there are increasing efforts at the community level to incentivize the digital transformation process.

In particular, back in March, the European Council approved the new Digital Europe for SMEs call, through a series of calls it will make available more than 7.5 billion euros for SMEs until 2027 for the development of some specific sectors. These are specifically high-performance computing (2.2 billion), artificial intelligence (2 billion), cybersecurity (1.6 billion) and advanced digital skills (577 million).

The rest of the funds, amounting to more than 1 billion euros, will be allocated to the implementation and optimal use of digital capabilities, as well as the implementation of interoperability between systems and technologies.

The calls that will distribute these funds are already at an advanced stage of approval and, once activated, will be a valuable growth tool for small and medium-sized enterprises.

Meanwhile, the EU has already equipped itself with a “European center of competence for cybersecurity in industry, technology and research“; the new body, whose foundation was deliberated in April 2020, will be based in Bucharest and will be connected to a network of national coordination centers, with the aim of channeling and managing investments aimed at optimizing the response to the growing cybersecurity problem.

Why invest in digitization?

This now seems to be a rhetorical question. In fact, as we have expressed on several occasions, investment in digitization is, in the short and medium term, one of the main levers of growth for companies.

ISTAT data on SMEs' investment in new technology

The benefits that can be derived from the use of financial resources for development in a digital sense are not unlike those that the European Union wants to pursue strategically over the next decade.

In this regard, last October, leaders of EU countries asked the European Commission to present a “digital compass” setting out concrete goals to be achieved by 2030).

• Adapt now to the requirements of the Digital Europe Calls for SMEs with state-of-the-art technologies for your company.

For companies, investing in digital can have numerous positive implications; the most significant are certainlyincreased competitiveness and improved production efficiency; in addition, digital security can be improved and access to a growing amount of data can be facilitated.

How to apply for the calls?

The manner of submitting applications for participation in public calls for access to European funds is determined by the entity or body organizing the selection procedure.

In general, companies that aspire to receive the resources put out to tender must communicate, either by certified e-mail or by completing an online procedure (using a special platform or reference website) their requirements or those specified in the notice. In some cases, application submission is tied to a specific time frame while in others time limits may be tied to the exhaustion of available funds.

In any case, institutional sites offer the full tools to access applications.

Learn about all the Europa Digitale calls for SMEs

How to get state-of-the-art technologies with the operational rental system

While waiting to access the resources made available by the European Union, companies-especially small and medium-sized enterprises-can resort to alternative solutions to upgrade their technological equipment.

These include the operating rental system, an increasingly popular option due to its many practical and economic advantages.

Operating lease contracts for technology supplies, in fact, provide for replacement of equipment after a period of two to five years; during this time, companies are guaranteed support and maintenance. Agreements, however, can be more flexible and provide for updating of allocations even at shorter intervals. This provides companies with state-of-the-art technology for a small investment sufficient to significantly improve business operations.

Contact us and find out more about operational leasing and how you can get state-of-the-art technology equipment with a small installment and thus comply with the requirements of the Digital Europe Calls for SMEs.

Also find out about the operating rental formula with which you can get:

Part of the enabling technologies under the Mise and Regional Incentives (from full workstations to state-of-the-art printers to enterprise security devices);

Free quote for rental with a small monthly installment for up to 5 years;

Ability to purchase the asset at a competitive cost;

Possibility of lowering the rental rate (in itinere) or renting new equipment.

Request a free consultation by contacting one of our experts