The 8ra Initiative aims to establish a true Multi-Provider Cloud-Edge Continuum, a pioneering cloud ecosystem, designed to revolutionise data processing. The Initiative represents a united European effort toward creating a decentralised and federated digital infrastructure that enhances innovation, sovereignty, resilience and sustainability.

Building on the foundation set by IPCEI-CIS (Important Project of Common European Interest – Next Generation Cloud Infrastructure and Services), the 8ra Initiative will extend the capabilities of Europe’s digital landscape beyond existing cloud services. It will serve as the core enabler of real-time, secure, and energy-efficient data services across industries such as manufacturing, mobility, healthcare, and energy. The first-ever Cloud-Edge Continuum combines real-time capability, scalability, interoperability and low latency and thus offers the ideal starting conditions for AI, the industrial metaverse or autonomous systems.