The European Digital Competence Framework (DigComp) describes what is needed to be digitally competent in today’s society, and supports the development of digital competence among individuals of all ages.
It covers a wide range of skills levels, from basic to highly advanced, and offers a stable reference point in a rapidly-evolving digital technological landscape.
DigComp 3.0 is the fifth version of the framework. The first version was published in 2013, with updates published in 2016, 2017and 2022. The framework is developed by the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre(JRC), in collaboration with the Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion (DG EMPL).
Why is digital competence important?
Digital environments are now deeply intertwined with daily life, working, learning, and participation in society. Individuals need to be digitally competent to benefit from the possibilities offered by digital technologies as well as the challenges that they can bring.
We need digital competence for many activities – to search for, find and critically interpret information online; create, edit and share digital content; manage privacy, safety and wellbeing in digital environments; use digital platforms and services; avail of employment and learning opportunities; and for social connection and civic participation through digital technologies, to name a few.
Yet, in 2023, only 56% of adults in the EU had above basic digital skills, and 43% of secondary school students in the EU did not reach a basic level of digital skills. In 2024-2025, 92% of EU workers reported needing digital skills to do their jobs, and 30% used AI systems for their work.
Who is DigComp for, how is it used?
DigComp is for organisations and individuals who share the common goal of understanding and identifying digital competence needs and supporting their development.
The framework is for policymakers; employers and employment services; researchers and academics; leaders and educators in compulsory and higher education, vocational education and training and lifelong learning; and any individual who is interested in digital competence.
DigComp is already widely used across Europe and internationally. It enables a common, shared understanding of digital competence. Since it is a technology-neutral and non-prescriptive framework, it is designed to be used and adapted for a variety of purposes – for example, to inform policymaking on digital education and digital skills; develop assessments; enhance transparency or comparability of education and training courses; recognise or validate learning (such as through digital skills certification); and define profiles of digital competence in specific jobs or roles.
The latest framework available, DigComp 3.0.
DigComp 3.0 framework in PDF, editable, and structured data formats, and guidance on using, adapting and re-publishing them.
All editions of DigComp and related JRC publications
Brief descriptions and links to previous editions and related publications.
DigComp-Based Assessment and Monitoring Tools
Le principali novità di DigComp 3.0 riguardano l’aggiornamento profondo dei contenuti (ma non della struttura), l’introduzione dei learning outcomes, la revisione dei livelli di padronanza e l’integrazione trasversale dell’IA, della sicurezza e dei diritti digitali.
Struttura e competenze
- Restano invariati i 5 ambiti e le 21 competenze del framework, che vengono però riscritti nella formulazione per riflettere scenari digitali più complessi, contenuti generati da IA, disinformazione e sostenibilità.
- Le competenze legate a informazione, comunicazione, creazione di contenuti, sicurezza e problem solving includono ora esplicitamente aspetti come benessere digitale, diritti, impronta digitale e impatti ambientali.
Livelli di padronanza
- Gli 8 livelli precedenti sono riorganizzati in 4 macro-livelli: base, intermedio, avanzato e altamente avanzato, con descrittori più chiari e confrontabili a livello internazionale.
- Questa semplificazione rende più lineare l’allineamento con curricoli, certificazioni e sistemi di valutazione nazionali e istituzionali.
Learning outcome operativi
- Per la prima volta il framework introduce oltre 500 learning outcome, articolati in conoscenze, abilità e atteggiamenti per ciascuna competenza e livello.
- Questo rende DigComp 3.0 non solo descrittivo ma operativo, facilitando progettazione di percorsi, rubriche valutative, standard di certificazione e descrittori di profilo professionale.
Intelligenza artificiale e nuove priorità
- L’AI literacy viene integrata come competenza trasversale: valutare contenuti generati da IA, comprenderne i meccanismi di base, i bias e l’impatto su informazione e lavoro.
- Il framework rafforza inoltre sicurezza/cybersecurity, benessere digitale, diritti e responsabilità online, in coerenza con la Dichiarazione europea sui diritti e principi digitali.
Supporti e formati
- Viene esteso il glossario per chiarire la terminologia chiave e supportare un uso coerente del framework nei diversi contesti educativi e professionali.
- DigComp 3.0 è distribuito in più formati (report completo, leaflet, materiali di supporto) per facilitarne l’adattamento da parte di scuole, università, enti di formazione e policy maker.
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