CISERO Project Kick-off
The European Union is launching a significant initiative to strengthen its digital sovereignty with the CISERO project, aimed at supporting the Important Project of Common European Interest on Next Generation Cloud Infrastructure and Services (IPCEI-CIS). As part of this effort, the CISERO Project Kick-off Meeting (KOM) took place today, 13 September 2024 at DLR Projektträger (project coordinator) headquarters in Berlin. The event brought together partners from across Europe to initiate collaboration and set the strategic direction for the project. Representatives of the 5 Work Packages (WPs) each presented their expertise and tasks and re-committed themselves to the success of the project.
The WPs are as follows:
WP1 “Project Management and Operations Activities”
WP2 “Sustainability and Roadmapping”
WP3 “Governance Support”
WP4 “Community Scale up”
WP5 “Communication, Dissemination & Exploitation”
The IPCEI-CIS initiative is a cornerstone of the EU's strategy to build the next generation of cloud and edge computing infrastructures, ensuring the security, efficiency, and competitiveness of Europe’s digital ecosystem. It responds to the urgent need for Europe to lead in developing cloud technologies that are not only scalable and interoperable but also sustainable and respectful of privacy. The project aligns with the EU’s goals for digital transformation, as outlined in the European Data Strategy, and is supported by the European Recovery and Resilience Facility.
IPCEI-CIS focuses on fostering advanced cloud and edge capabilities that will enable European businesses, public authorities, and communities to securely process and manage data in real-time, across borders, with ultra-low latency. This infrastructure is critical to achieving digital sovereignty in Europe, reducing reliance on non-EU technologies, and ensuring compliance with European laws and standards. IPCEI-CIS will also support the manufacturing, healthcare, mobility, and energy sectors, providing them with the tools they need to thrive in an increasingly digital economy.
The CISERO project, launched in support of IPCEI-CIS, will play a pivotal role in ensuring the wide-scale adoption and exploitation of the technologies developed under IPCEI-CIS. CISERO will provide essential coordination services and facilitate collaboration between member states, companies, research organisations, and public authorities. Its mission is to ensure that the investments made in cloud and edge infrastructures yield tangible benefits for Europe’s digital future, promoting the deployment of secure, energy-efficient, and innovative solutions across the continent.
CISERO's Main Objectives include:
Facilitate the adoption and exploitation of IPCEI-CIS results.
Enhance collaboration among EU member states, companies, and research organisations.
Develop a sustainable roadmap for cloud and edge computing infrastructure.
Support the creation of secure, interoperable, and energy-efficient digital solutions.
Promote digital sovereignty and economic competitiveness within the EU.
Establish a unified governance model and support structure for IPCEI-CIS.
Foster a strong community of practice and network of ambassadors to advocate for IPCEI-CIS outcomes.
Access the full press release here for more information about the Kick-Off meeting and the CISERO project in general.