Laying the Groundwork for Europe’s Federated Cloud-Edge Future

First Version of the IPCEI-CIS Reference Architecture Released

With the release of Version 1.0 of the IPCEI-CIS Reference Architecture (ICRA), the 8ra Initiative marks a key milestone in building a sovereign, interoperable digital infrastructure for Europe. This initial version offers a structured framework to guide the development of a federated Multi-Provider Cloud-Edge Continuum capable of supporting the next generation of data-driven applications across sectors such as manufacturing, mobility, energy as well as enabling artificial intelligence.

As a strategic instrument within the 8ra Initiative, the architecture serves both a technical and unifying function. It enables more than 100 partners across 12 EU member states to position their technologies and roles within a shared reference model, providing the structural clarity required to advance Europe’s goals of technological independence and cross-border digital integration.

A modular framework for interoperability

The architecture is built as a layered, modular model encompassing the entire cloud-edge stack. It spans from physical and virtual infrastructure to orchestration, platform services, data handling, and artificial intelligence, each layer designed for interoperability in distributed, multi-provider environments.

This integrated approach reflects 8ra’s ambition: not only to establish a technological foundation, but to ensure it is resilient, trustworthy and future-ready.

Cross-cutting domains:

• Federation: Mechanisms to enable seamless provider collaboration, including dynamic service handovers and alignment with the EU Data Act.
• Management: Integrated capabilities for monitoring, SLA compliance, automation and resource accounting.
• Security and Compliance: Safeguarding data integrity, access control and compliance with industry standards and regulations.
• Sustainability: Optimisation for energy efficiency and renewable resource integration.

Real-world validation is already being tested

While the document lays out a functional framework, its practical value lies in how it is being tested. Several Pilot Scenarios are already underway. These real-world experiments put the architecture to use – validating design assumptions, revealing practical gaps, and identifying areas where simplification or further detail is needed.

This is, by design, a first version: a conceptual structure that will evolve based on experience. Future editions are expected to include more specific guidance on implementation mechanisms, standardised interfaces, and integration strategies.

Foundations for a federated, sustainable and secure ecosystem

Key features of the Reference Architecture reflect the broader ambitions of the 8ra Initiative. These include support for dynamic multi-provider federation, energy-efficient workload placement, federated identity and access control and secure lifecycle management. Standardised interfaces and service descriptors enable portability and compatibility, even in highly decentralised deployments.