The European Commission approved, this Thursday, a European project of common interest that includes fourteen EU member states, Spain among them. The goal is to unlock public support of up to 8,100 million euros to back initiatives focused on microelectronics and advanced communication technologies. This funding aims to accelerate the continent’s digital transition while boosting innovation across the Union.
Brussels explained that the public funds are intended to catalyze private investment, with the expectation that an additional 13,700 million euros could be mobilized from private sources. In total, the plan covers 68 targeted initiatives carried out by 56 participating companies under the IPCEI framework for microelectronics and communications. The emphasis is on projects that can scale and deliver tangible benefits to the broader European economy and society.
Eligible projects must drive both digital and green transformation. They should enable the creation of cutting-edge microelectronics and communications solutions and promote energy-efficient and resource-saving electronic systems and manufacturing methods. The Commission underscored that these efforts will help modernize critical supply chains and reduce environmental impact while fostering resilience in strategic sectors.
Additionally, the program will support the development of technologies and services across various industries, including 5G and 6G networks, autonomous mobility, artificial intelligence, and quantum computing. It will also back energy production, distribution, and use to advance the green transition, reinforcing Europe’s leadership in sustainable technology and digital sovereignty.
Besides Spain, participating countries in the IPCEI plan include Austria, the Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, and Slovakia. This broad participation highlights a shared commitment to building a robust European tech ecosystem with cross-border collaboration and supply chain security.
As one official noted, innovation is key to helping the European economy become more competitive and sustainable. Yet innovation can entail risks that the market alone may not manage. Public investments are seen as essential to bridge that gap, enabling ambitious projects to move forward and deliver long-term value for citizens and businesses alike.