The 2020-1 CEF Telecom Europe Facility call (CEF) is now open. With a budget of €31.4 million allocated to this call, the initiative aims to stimulate and support the deployment of European digital service infrastructures to drive the digital transformation of public sector services across Member States, for the benefit of citizens and businesses.

Proposals may be submitted until 12 May 2020 in the following sectors:

• Automated translation: providing solutions to make European digital services multilingual - €4 million;
• Blockchain: enabling the provision of cross-border services across the EU using blockchain technology: €3 million;
• eDelivery: enabling public administrations and private entities to exchange electronic data and documents with other public administrations, businesses, and citizens in a secure, reliable, and trustworthy manner - €0.9 million;
• eIdentification & eSignature (upcoming): addressing cross-border eID authentication and the adoption and use of electronic signatures - €3 million;
• European Platform for Digital Skills and Jobs: for designing and implementing specialised Master's programmes in Artificial Intelligence - €6.5 million;
• Europeana: increasing awareness and usage of the European platform for cultural heritage - €3 million;
• Safer Internet: empowering and protecting children and young people online - €11 million.

To be eligible for co-financing, proposals must demonstrate sufficient maturity, contribute to the policies of the European Digital Single Market, and have a long-term sustainability strategy.

Proposals must be submitted online by 12 May 2020 at 17:00 (Brussels, Belgium time). Evaluation of proposals is scheduled to begin in June 2020, with results expected to be announced from October 2020.

For further information, click here.