The European Digital Connectivity Awards 2025 target projects contributing to the fulfilment of Europe’s Digital Decade connectivity objectives.
Europe’s Digital Decade transformation relies on providing citizens with access to high-capacity, secure and sustainable digital connectivity and services. All projects advanced in implementation, big or small, rural or urban, private or public, providing local, regional, national, multi-country or international connectivity, and covering all technologies are welcome to apply for the awards. The winners will receive an EU Digital Connectivity Award and will be showcased by the European Commission in the media and relevant events and websites.
How and when to apply?
Download the application form and the guide for applicants. Carefully read the guide and explanations in the application form. Fill in the application (in English) and submit (as .xlsx file) via e-mail. The deadline for submitting the applications is 2 June 2025, 23:00 CET (end of day).
The winners will be announced and awarded at the ceremony and invited to present their projects at an award ceremony at the end of the Connected Europe Facility conference scheduled for 7 October 2025. The winners will also be featured on the Shaping Europe’s digital future website.
Award categories
The projects will apply and will be awarded in one of the three categories:
- Category 1 – Excellence and innovation in deployment of Gigabit-Ready Infrastructure: designed for projects that deliver high-capacity, future-proof networks, including fibre-to-the-home (FTTH), advanced 5G FWA/mobile or satellite networks, particularly if in combination with other infrastructures (cloud, edged computing, IoT, AI, 3C Networks, etc). The category fosters technological innovation, readiness for current and future demands of connectivity in combination with other digital infrastructures and technologies, promoting new business models for telecom operators.
- Category 2 – Champions in addressing digital divide in rural and remote areas: addressed to projects that successfully connect rural, remote, or geographically challenging areas, generating socio-economic benefits, digital divide heroes with for trailblazing projects that deal with and address digital divide by rolling out networks in most difficult to reach areas and territories. The category recognises efforts to address one of the most challenging aspects of broadband deployment – ensuring no community is left behind.
- Category 3 – Cross-border and international connectivity: projects in this category are rolling out digital connectivity networks in cross-border regions or multi-country contexts both within the EU or interlinking the EU with other non-EU countries or world regions. Global or regional cross-border gateways, terrestrial or submarine backbone connectivity, fixed or wireless connectivity. The category values efforts of engaging in complex transnational projects as well as delivering holistic, secure and resilience cross border connectivity solutions.
Further information & support
Contact European Digital Connectivity Awards helpdesk by email or by phone: +49 341 962103 19
More details are available on the European Digital Connectivity Awards page. The Awards are managed by the European Commission (DG CNECT).
Source: European Commission | Shaping Europe’s Digital Future | News & Views (https://tinyurl.com/mr2jmbfu)