EU funding boosts IT investments in European schools with computing devices remaining top purchase priority

In the aftermath of the pandemic, the EU’s Recovery and Resilience Fund has proven to be a key driver of investments into school IT budgets. A new report from market research firm Futuresource Consulting states that IT decision makers in European schools expect roughly a 15% uplift in their annual IT budgets across 2024. As a result, schools are now taking the opportunity to reconsider budget allocations and future investment priorities. 

The report, which is a new European edition of Futuresource Consulting’s Edtech Voice Computing Devices, covers four core markets in Europe. Based on interviews with 401 IT decision makers across the UK, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands, it spotlights the thought processes, decision making, ownership and future investments in computing devices across K-12 schools. 

A varied funding picture across markets

“While UK schools enjoy larger budgets on average than the other three territories, they also face a dearth of funding from both the EU and the national government,” says Natalie Tapera, Market Analyst, Futuresource Consulting. “While EU RRF and DigitalPakt are funding pillars for digital investments in German schools, the UK lacks a similar investment infrastructure to help improve their device and software offering in schools. This is preventing a significant rise in computing device adoption, which is the outcome schools were hoping for.” 

Despite funding challenges, computing device adoption remains a key focus for IT decision makers, with demand expected to increase across all markets within the next two years. Futuresource reports that client computing devices account for roughly 20% of the share of IT budget allocation across all markets, with many schools on the verge of refresh cycles and upgrades to existing device fleets.  

1:1 Device adoption takes a backseat in most markets

Although some markets are committed to achieving a 1:1 Student Device penetration, others remain cautious.  

“Over two thirds of respondent schools in the UK, Germany and Italy have no plans to introduce a 1:1 initiative in the near future,” says Tapera, “with the most prevalent barrier being budget restrictions.” 

Even as demand for computing devices intensifies, schools are facing a tricky juggling act in trying to balance their overall IT budget needs with other areas. This presents a key barrier for schools to achieve a 1:1 device initiative.  

To discover more about Futuresource’s latest report EdTech Voice Europe: Computing Devices, please contact fiona.mcgill@futuresource-hq.com