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Strengthening Europe’s Cyber Resilience
The European Union is launching a new call under the Digital Europe Programme (ECCC) to boost cybersecurity readiness among SMEs and their supply chain partners.
This action supports the deployment of innovative cybersecurity tools and services that help small and medium-sized enterprises meet the requirements of new EU regulations such as the Cyber Resilience Act and the NIS 2 Directive.
In essence, Europe will co-fund practical, ready-to-use solutions that make it easier for SMEs to detect, prevent, and respond to cyber threats — while improving coordination with CSIRTs, Cyber Hubs, and national authorities.
Planned opening: Q4 2025
Closing: March 2026
Budget: €15 million
Funding rate: 50% (75% for SMEs)
Duration: 3 years
Video Presentation
Who Can Apply?
Eligible participants include:
- SMEs and other private or public entities implementing the NIS 2 Directive or Cyber Resilience Act.
- Research and academic organisations developing cybersecurity solutions.
- Public bodies, Cyber Hubs, and CSIRTs.
- Associations and clusters supporting SME digitalisation and security.
Objectives of the Call
Projects funded under this call should contribute to one or more of the following goals:
- Make innovative cybersecurity tools and services available to SMEs.
- Support SMEs in complying with EU cybersecurity legislation and certification schemes.
- Strengthen incident reporting and recovery capabilities.
- Improve cooperation with CSIRTs, ISACs, and Cyber Hubs across Europe.
- Enhance security of network and information systems and readiness for the Cyber Resilience Act.
- Enable supply-chain risk management and standardised self-assessments.
- Address the shortage of cybersecurity skills among SMEs.
Scope and Activities
The action will fund projects that design and implement practical tools and platforms supporting SME cybersecurity, such as:
- A cyber toolkit-as-a-service that helps SMEs manage risks, assess vulnerabilities, and implement cybersecurity strategies.
- Interfaces to existing SaaS platforms (HR, CRM, accounting, etc.) for better asset mapping and threat visibility.
- Automated risk assessment functions with mitigation recommendations.
- Real-time alerts on vulnerabilities and threats.
- Incident reporting portals and AI-based support assistants connecting SMEs with CSIRTs or Cyber Hubs.
- Non-commercial cybersecurity hotlines and multilingual helplines for SMEs.
- National Cyber Response Platforms for first responders and authorities.
- Sector-specific training modules for responders in healthcare, finance, energy, and transport.
Expected Outcomes and Deliverables
Projects are expected to deliver tangible improvements to Europe’s SME cybersecurity ecosystem, including:
- Operational cyber toolkits and support platforms available to SMEs.
- Standardised incident reporting systems with faster response times.
- Better collaboration between SMEs and national cybersecurity authorities.
- Increased cyber resilience and compliance with EU legislation.
- Reduction in successful cyber incidents and improved digital hygiene among SMEs.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
Successful projects should demonstrate measurable progress through indicators such as:
- Number of SMEs supported and tools deployed.
- Response time and effectiveness of cyber incident handling.
- Number of reported and resolved incidents through new platforms.
- Adoption rate of cybersecurity toolkits and services among SMEs.
- Cross-border cooperation between SMEs and national authorities.
Why This Call Matters
Cyber threats are growing rapidly, and many small businesses lack the resources to protect themselves effectively.
This Digital Europe call addresses that gap by creating affordable, scalable cybersecurity solutions designed specifically for SMEs — helping Europe stay competitive and secure in the digital age.
How Tiko Pro Can Help
At Tiko Pro, we help organisations navigate EU funding opportunities and successfully apply for Digital Europe cybersecurity calls.
Our experts can support you in:
- Defining your project concept and eligible activities.
- Building a strong European consortium.
- Preparing the full grant application and budget.
- Managing and reporting during the project lifecycle.
Interested in applying?
Contact us at info@tiko-pro.eu to explore collaboration opportunities under this call.
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