The regions in the Digital Single Market – ICT and digital opportunities for regions and cities

The digital economy is growing at seven times the rate of the rest of the economy. The European Commission estimates that completing a Digital Single Market could contribute €415 billion per year to Europe's economy, create 3.8 million jobs and transform public services. Local and regional authorities may well benefit from many of the opportunities which the digital era offers. The European Commission has presented different initiatives in order to boost the use of information and communications technologies (ICT) in Europe. The Digital Agenda for Europe, which was announced in 2010 in the framework of the Europe 2020 Strategy, aimed to promote economic recovery and improve social inclusion through a more digitally proficient Europe. The Digital Single Market strategy, introduced in 2015, complements the Digital Agenda for Europe. Achieving a Digital Single Market will ensure that Europe maintains its position as a world leader in the digital economy, helping European companies to grow globally. Equally, enhanced use of digital technologies can improve citizens' access to information and culture, and can promote open government, equality and non-discrimination. Although many of the Digital Single Market priorities are dealt with primarily at national level, various initiatives can be explored at the local and regional level, and regions and cities can become active in planning and pursuing their own digital strategies.