The Polar Connect initiative was one of four initiatives highlighted at a major event on European digital sovereignty, hosted by the European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HaDEA), which manages the implementation of the CEFDigital programme on behalf of the European Commission.
Held in Brussels, the HaDEA Showcase Event 2026 aimed to demonstrate the impact of EU-funded projects, also in relation to European Commission policy priorities and negotiations on the next multiannual financial framework (MFF). Polar Connect took part alongside three other initiatives in the panel Investing in Europe’s infrastructures for strategic autonomy, highlighting the importance of building resilient and innovative infrastructures that support European competitiveness and strategic autonomy. The event was attended by leaders from industry, research, and EU institutions.
A key focus was the role of submarine cables in strengthening Europe’s strategic leverage, connectivity, and global reach. The Polar Connect initiative promotes a submarine cable link between Europe, East Asia and North America along a direct route east of Greenland, close to the geographical North Pole. At the HaDEA event, Polar Connect contributed to the panel discussion and had a project stand facilitating networking and showcasing project results, in particular route simulation and seabed survey studies.
Arctic link to increase European resilience
The first phases of the Polar Connect initiative have received support from the European Commission’s Connecting Europe Facility through a number of project grants.
“Polar Connect is a first-of-a-kind initiative working to establish secure and resilient connectivity between Europe, East Asia and North America across the Arctic Ocean on the shortest digital route. Thanks to CEF Digital co-funding, we have been able to carry out Arctic Ocean seabed surveys, further de-risk early development stages, and lay the groundwork for future public-private investments in the Arctic route. Polar Connect is closing critical infrastructure gaps and preparing the ground for a truly resilient, global digital backbone for Europe — one that serves science, society, and Europe’s strategic digital autonomy,”
says Ieva Muraškienė, representing Polar Connect during the panel.
EU co-funding as a catalyst
EU co-funding has played a pivotal role as a catalyst for Polar Connect, enabling the initiative to move from vision to feasibility and de-risking studies. Mapping of the Arctic seabed to identify the safest and most efficient route has been initiated, submarine cable system design work has begun, and potential business and ownership models attractive to investors and anchor tenants have been developed. In parallel, fibre-sensing technology capabilities for scientific monitoring have been explored. These results were showcased at the project stand during the event.
Official photos from the event:
https://polarconnect.net/had2026
