The National Federation of Digitalisation and Blockchain and the Digital Kit Observatory have presented a series of proposals to the Secretary of State for Digitalisation to define the future of the programme, which has granted 937,972 aids and has 99% of its 3.067 billion euros committed.
The Digital Kit is nearing the end of its current phase, and with 99% of the 3.067 billion euros already committed, the debate now centres on what will happen next. The National Federation of Digitalisation and Blockchain (FNDB) and the Digital Kit Observatory held a working meeting with the Secretary of State for Digitalisation and Artificial Intelligence to propose a roadmap that corrects identified issues and continues the aid.
Attending the meeting were the president of the FNDB, José Fº Hernández Munuera, and its vice president, Antonio Altur Bosch, along with Santiago Vecina Cabeza and Daniel Vecina Guerrero from the Observatory. From the Administration, Fernando Diego Hernández and Ángel Barrio were present. The entities expressed their willingness to act as interlocutors between the Government and the ecosystem of digitalisation agents.
The closure of the current programme affects the future
The institutional priority is to complete the calls and justification processes before 31 August 2026, pending the final validation from the European Commission. Only after this closure could a new negotiation begin regarding possible surpluses or the creation of complementary instruments.
Among the alternatives on the table are FEDER funds and other budgetary avenues that allow for the continuation of digitalisation policies beyond the current European framework. The entities argue that the experience gained since 2022 should be used to correct dysfunctions such as fraud or malpractice in some files.
They also point out the low quality of some solutions offered and the need to improve information directed at the business fabric. These issues have led to a proposal for a review of the criteria regulating the participation of digitalisation agents and the validation of their work.
More control and certification for digitalisation agents
The professionalisation of the ecosystem is another central axis of the proposal. The FNDB and the Observatory propose establishing systems of certification or prior qualification for digitalisation agents participating in future calls. This would allow for filters to be introduced before authorising their participation, ensuring minimum levels of technical capability and experience.
They also propose implementing objective performance metrics to assess the results achieved by each agent and standardise the validation criteria applied in different territories. According to the organisations, differences in the review of files generate legal uncertainty and delays.
The entities believe that any potential new phase should not be limited to reproducing the current scheme. In addition to maintaining aid for basic digitalisation needs, they advocate for the gradual incorporation of advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence.
However, they warn that this incorporation must be done with criteria of real utility, continuity, and return for businesses. The push for more complex tools should not translate into solutions designed solely to access subsidies, but rather into projects that enhance the competitiveness of businesses.
For self-employed individuals and SMEs that have not yet applied for aid, the deadline remains open until 31 August 2026, although it is advisable to hurry as funds are nearly exhausted. Those who have already received it must ensure they justify their projects correctly to avoid issues.
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