The European Commission has been showcasing success stories from the Digital Europe Program (DIGITAL), an EU initiative aimed at integrating digital technology into businesses, public services, and daily life.
The program focuses on six major cross-cutting areas: high-performance computing, AI, cybersecurity, digital skills, widespread digital adoption, and semiconductors. It drives digital technologies, collaborates with European entities to create practical solutions, and delivers results that enhance Europe’s digital independence and competitiveness.
As part of ANI’s work in representing Portugal in the Digital Europe Program, we have been highlighting projects involving national organizations, focused on fostering R&D for new digital solutions.
The Digital Europe Program (DIGITAL) is funding the implementation of the EU Digital Identity Card through large-scale pilot projects. Projects such as “Potential” are testing the digital wallet in various everyday scenarios, promoting innovation and collaboration across Europe. With a duration between 2022 and 2025 and funding of 46 million euros for 4 pilot projects, 20 countries, 2 coordinators and 18 partners are participating.
The “Potential” project, with almost 17 of the total 40 million euros in funding, tests six application cases: eGovernance services, cross-border bank account opening, online SIM card registration, digital driving license, qualified electronic signature and electronic prescription, all accepted in any EU country.
National Participation
Five national organizations are taking part in this project, which has raised around 1.1 million euros. They are the Agency for Administrative Modernization, SPMS – Shared Services of the Ministry of Health, the Institute of Registries and Notaries, the Institute of Mobility and Transport, and the National Press – Casa da Moeda.
Impact and Future:
The pilots developed aim to improve the security, interoperability and design of the digital wallet. More than 7,000 users are expected to be involved and more than 70,000 transactions will be carried out, promoting secure and efficient access to digital services across the EU. Florent Tournois, coordinator of the Potential consortium, is confident about the project: “Potential paves the way for bringing European citizens closer together by facilitating everyday identification processes.”
Get to know Potential.
