The European Commission will soon reveal their proposals for the post-2020 Multiannual Financial Framework. The proposals will "be designed to make it possible for the EU to deliver on the things that matter most, in areas where it can achieve more than Member States acting alone". The continuing development of a true Digital Single Market should therefore be a clear priority.

From artificial intelligence to cyber-security and from copyright to ensuring high speed internet access, European Commissioner has called for the EU budget for digital economy and society to double. When only 37% of Europeans currently have basic digital skills, how can the EU ensure that everyone benefits from the Digital Single Market? And in the context of the European Commission public consultation, how can we shape the MFF to ensure that the EU invests in the future of digital Europe?

This will be an opportunity for participants to not only listen to speakers from the European institutions but to ask concrete, specific questions about how the speakers plan to ensure that digital is prioritised in the next MFF.

• programme - 21st March 2018

  Welcome and introduction:

  Michal Boni MEP and EIF Steering Committee Member

  Speakers:

  Jan Olbrycht MEP and EIF Member

  Kalin Tomov, Head of Competitiveness Section, PhD, Permanent Representation of the Republic of Bulgaria to the EU

  Günther Oettinger, EU Commissioner for Budget & Human Resources

  Exchange of views with participants

  (under the Chatham House rule)