This funding is intended for small and large companies, knowledge institutions, and governments that need additional funding for AI, data, cloud, and cybersecurity innovations and digital skills, for example, in the manufacturing industry. Dutch entrepreneurs and knowledge institutions are currently securing the most funding from the DEP of all 27 EU countries. In 2024, this accounted for 11.7% of the total, amounting to about €46 million.
In addition to EU funds, the Ministry of Economic Affairs will again contribute with additional national co-financing (€16.2 million) to the DEP in the period 2025-2027 to further stimulate innovation with digital technology.
Minister Dirk Beljaarts (Economic Affairs): “It is important that we take an extra step for an innovative digital economy. It is one of the driving forces behind our future jobs and income. It is also necessary for more digital independence and security. The speed of technological developments outside the EU and the lack of growth in labor productivity are putting our opportunities under pressure. Therefore, through Digital Europe, we support startups, SMEs, manufacturing, and tech companies to invest in this together with knowledge institutions and governments.”
Increasing the Pace to Keep the Netherlands Among the World Leaders
Digitalization by SMEs, the use of digital innovations, and the quality of digital infrastructure have improved in the Netherlands. At the same time, the pace is too slow to keep the Netherlands among the world leaders, there is a significant shortage of ICT specialists, and private investments in digital infrastructure are lagging behind. This was evident in March 2025 from the progress report of the cabinet strategy for the Digital Economy.
The cabinets ambition is to be among the top 3 in Europe by 2030 in terms of the application of digital technologies by SMEs. This means that 95% of Dutch SMEs apply at least a basic level of digitalization compared to 75% in 2021. The basic level has now risen to 81.5% in 2024. To reach 95%, substantial steps are still needed.
Additionally, the aim is to increase the use of advanced digital technologies – such as cloud, artificial intelligence (AI), and data analytics – within SMEs to at least 75% by 2030. More SMEs are now applying AI (from 13% to 23%) and cloud services (from 64% to 71%). However, the development of Dutch and European innovations, especially regarding cloud applications, is still lagging far behind the United States and Asia. This threatens the economy and security.
Work Program Digital Europe 2025-2027
The European Commission recently published the new work programs for the period 2025-2027. On the RVO website, there is a complete overview of the topics for which entrepreneurs can apply for funding in the period 2025–2027.