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© DLR Advancing Europe’s Federated Cloud-Edge Infrastructure
With the release of Version 2.0 of the IPCEI-CIS Reference Architecture (ICRA), the 8ra Initiative continues to support building a sovereign, interoperable digital infrastructure for Europe. The ICRA offers a structured framework to guide the development of a federated Multi-Provider Cloud-Edge Continuum.
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© Arsys “We have the advantage that we are many.”
As the Manager of Arsys Lab – the innovation laboratory for Arsys – Javier Arnáez argues that Europe’s competitive edge lies in cooperation and a deep commitment to digital sovereignty. In this interview, he highlights how an interoperable cloud infrastructure and strategic AI use can pave the way for a resilient European digital transformation.
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© stock.adobe.com/deimos.az IPCEI-AI: National Expressions of Interest launched across Europe
Europe must make a decisive leap in artificial intelligence to strengthen its economic competitiveness and digital sovereignty. To address this challenge, several EU Member States are jointly preparing the Important Project of Common European Interest on Artificial Intelligence (IPCEI-AI). The IPCEI-AI is closely aligned and integrated with the 8ra Initiative.
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© DLR FACIS advances harmonised SLA governance for Europe’s Multi-Provider Cloud-Edge Continuum
Within the framework of the 8ra Initiative, the FACIS project plays a central role in addressing one of the key enablers of a federated cloud ecosystem: trust and accountability across multiple providers. On 24 November 2025, experts came together in Berlin to discuss a common and transparent approach to Service Level Agreement (SLA) governance.
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© DLR New Legal Framework Enables Teleoperated Driving
On 1 December 2025, Germany’s new law on teleoperated vehicles (StVFernLV) takes effect, enabling teleoperated vehicles on public roads. In this context, the PoQuaSIA project demonstrates how secure, low-latency communication between vehicle systems and cloud environments can make such teleoperated mobility a reality.
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© stock.adobe.com/Gennady Danilkin The 8ra Initiative highlights its role at the Summit on European Digital Sovereignty
On 18 November 2025, the 8ra Initiative contributed key insights on cloud-edge interoperability and sovereign AI during the Berlin summit hosted by Chancellor Merz and President Macron.
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© Michel Iñigo, MONDRAGON Corporation “Interoperability is the key to scaling industrial AI.”
European manufacturers want AI that works across mixed equipment and sites without losing control of their data. This Interview gives insight into how MONDRAGON together with the 8ra ecosystem is building an open, interoperable stack that keeps decisions at the edge and governance with each company.
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© DLR Driving Europe’s Cloud Future: Highlights from the CCX Cloud Computing Conference
The 8ra Initiative was a key topic at the CCX Cloud Computing Conference, from 4 to 5 November in Frankfurt am Main, sparking extensive discussion on building a sovereign digital future for Europe. Johann Schmidt and Florian Denzin of DLR Projektträger opened the event with a compelling presentation about the 8ra Multi-Provider Cloud-Edge Continuum.
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© Konrad – stock.adobe.com Implementing the Berlin Declaration for Digital Sovereignty
The 8th Friends of Industry Conference in Berlin, hosted by Federal Minister Katherina Reiche, marked a crucial turning point for European industrial policy. With the handover of the joint Berlin Declaration to EU Executive Vice-President Stéphane Séjourné, EU Member States sent a clear message: Europe must accelerate its digital transformation.
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© Fondazione Bruno Kessler Archive “Identity becomes the new perimeter of security.”
Silvio Ranise is Director of the Center for Cybersecurity at Fondazione Bruno Kessler (FBK) and Professor at the University of Trento. In this conversation, he shares his perspective on how digital identity, AI at the edge, and the Lab8ra testbed are shaping Europe’s path toward a resilient and interoperable Multi-Provider Cloud-Edge Continuum.
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© Giovanni Frattini “Scale up, make technology usable!”
In this interview, Giovanni Frattini from the AVANT project, shares his vision for the future of digital infrastructure in Europe. He argues that the next wave of digital transformation must be scalable and usable, and that a federated model is designed to achieve this by building a “toolbox” of interoperable solutions.
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© DLR Laying the Groundwork for Europe’s Federated Cloud-Edge Future
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 for more than 100 partners across 12 EU member states.
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© NBIP “We have to get smart.”
Our new interview series highlights the leaders shaping the Multi-Provider Cloud-Edge Continuum across Europe. In June, we talked with Octavia de Weerdt, General Director at NBIP, a Dutch non-profit that helps digital infrastructure providers meet compliance and security needs through shared services. She explains how cybersecurity could become Europe’s strategic edge.
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© DLR 8ra a Key Contributor at GITEX Europe in Berlin
From 21 to 23 May, Berlin hosted the very first GITEX Europe, bringing together innovators, industry leaders, and policymakers from across the continent and beyond. Known for its dynamic showcases of emerging technologies and pivotal discussions shaping the digital future, GITEX’s European debut provided an unparalleled platform for collaboration and new ideas.
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© Konrad – stock.adobe.com Europe needs a Sovereign Digital Infrastructure – and the 8ra Initiative is building it
A recent study reveals rising demand for European cloud providers. Up to now, Europe’s digital economy has been powered by technologies that, in large part, are controlled elsewhere. The appetite for a European alternative is unmistakable. Two out of three businesses now say that Europe needs its own infrastructure. This is where 8ra comes in.
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© NooPaew – stock.adobe.com Panel Discussion: Enabling a Multi-Provider Sovereign Cloud for AI
On 30 April 2025, OpenNebula Systems hosted a panel discussion bringing together cloud service providers to share insights into the challenges of building a resilient and adaptable multi-provider ecosystem. A video recording of the panel discussion is now available.
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© DLR Strong Presence at Hannover Fair
At this year’s Hannover Fair, the 8ra Initiative made a lasting impression on a diverse audience with exciting projects and innovative demonstrators. International delegations, as well as leading representatives from business, industry and politics showed particular interest. Many were enthusiastic about the new approach of a scalable multi-provider cloud-edge continuum.
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© NCRD, Poland 8ra General Assembly in Gdańsk
From 27 to 28 March 2025, the 8ra community convened in Gdańsk, Poland, for the General Assembly of the 8ra Initiative under the Polish presidency of the Council of the European Union. Hosted at the Gdańsk University of Technology, the event brought together representatives from all IPCEI-CIS-funded projects as well as other stakeholders.
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© sirichai – stock.adobe.com Advancing SLA Interoperability
On 5 March 2025, experts from across Europe convened in Cologne for a FACIS project workshop on Joint SLA Governance – a key pillar for fostering seamless service delivery in federated cloud-edge environments. The session addressed a fundamental question: How can federated ecosystems ensure consistent service quality, legal clarity, and cross-border interoperability?
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© DLR MWC25 Recap: Advancing Cloud-Edge Innovation and European Digital Sovereignty
The Mobile World Congress 2025 (MWC25) in Barcelona once again served as a global stage for ground-breaking discussions on cloud, edge computing and the future of digital infrastructure. From 3 to 6 March, the 8ra Initiative was at the heart of these conversations, engaging with key stakeholders, policymakers and technology leaders.
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© ParinApril – stock.adobe.com Hello world! Welcome to the new 8ra website
The 8ra Initiative is expanding, and so is our digital presence. Our new website is now live, providing a central hub for everything related to Europe’s next-generation cloud infrastructure and services. Whether you are looking for key insights, project details, or the latest updates, this is the place to stay informed and engaged.
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© Konrad – stock.adobe.com Building Europe’s Super Cloud
Europe is facing a cloud dilemma: the continent has limited control over cloud data centres and risks falling behind in the development of AI. To remain competitive, Europe urgently needs a sovereign, cross-border infrastructure that efficiently pools computing power and meets the real-time demands of industry.
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