The programme concerns two types of Digital Service Infrastructures (DSIs):
The building blocks are basic digital services supported by the programme. Building blocks are based on European legislation and standards to help Europeans implement some of the most commonly needed digital capabilities, such as exchanging messages, archiving documents and electronically identifying users. By using building blocks, digital services can be developed faster, easier and more cost-effectively using existing technologies, rather than each organisation developing them on their own. The grants also fund its users wanting to adopt building blocks. Five building blocks have been developed, including eDelivery, eID, eInvoicing, and eSignature. Each come with their own technical specifications, sample software (if applicable) and support services, such as help desk, to support their adoption.3
There are five building blocks available:
Building blocks were initially offered as part of CEF Digital, the programme's digital arm under telecommunications.9 The European Commission's Directorate General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology (CNECT) is responsible for the definition of the building blocks. Their management and user on-boarding was overseen by the Directorate-General for Informatics (DIGIT). The funding supports the adoption of building blocks. They are arranged through Calls for Proposals and are administered by the Innovation and Networks Executive Agency (INEA) and then by the Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency. 10
"CEF Digital Home". CEF Digital. Retrieved Sep 13, 2024. https://ec.europa.eu/digital-building-blocks/sites/display/DIGITAL/ ↩
Digital Europe Programme https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/activities/digital-programme ↩
"CEF Digital Home". European Commission. Retrieved 13 Sep 2024. https://ec.europa.eu/digital-building-blocks/sites/display/DIGITAL/Digital+Homepage ↩
"eDelivery". European Commission. Retrieved 13 Sep 2024. https://ec.europa.eu/digital-building-blocks/sites/display/DIGITAL/eDelivery ↩
"eID". European Commission. Retrieved 13 Sep 2024. https://ec.europa.eu/digital-building-blocks/sites/display/DIGITAL/eID ↩
"eInvoicing". European Commission. Retrieved 13 Sep 2024. https://ec.europa.eu/digital-building-blocks/sites/display/DIGITAL/eInvoicing ↩
"eSignature". European Commission. Retrieved 13 Sep 2024. https://ec.europa.eu/digital-building-blocks/sites/display/DIGITAL/eSignature ↩
"Once-Only Technical System". European Commission. Retrieved 13 Sep 2024. https://ec.europa.eu/digital-building-blocks/sites/display/OOTS/OOTSHUB+Home ↩
"Connecting Europe Facility in Telecom". European Commission. Retrieved 8 May 2019. https://ec.europa.eu/digital-single-market/en/connecting-europe-facility ↩
"Innovation and Networks Executive Agency". Innovation and Networks Executive Agency - European Commission. Retrieved Apr 19, 2021. https://ec.europa.eu/inea/en ↩