CroQCI

The Republic of Croatia recognized the importance of the European Quantum Communication Infrastructure (EuroQCI) initiative and signed the Declaration on a European Quantum Communication Infrastructure in 2019, thereby committing to implement activities for the construction of a secure quantum communication infrastructure that will encompass the entire European Union. As a first step on this path, the CroQCI consortium was formed.

The CroQCI consortium comprises key research and scientific institutions, higher education institutions, public institutions, and public enterprises authorized by the Ministry of Science and Education to develop the national QCI network and prepare and implement the national project Croatian Quantum Communication Infrastructure – CroQCI.

The project proposal for the Croatian Quantum Communication Infrastructure – CroQCI has been prepared and submitted to the call DIGITAL-2021-QCI-01-DEPLOY-NATIONAL, published within the Digital Europe Programme, and has been approved for funding.

The project holder and coordinator is the Croatian Academic and Research Network – CARNET.

In addition to funds from the Digital Europe program, the CroQCI project will also be financed through investments from the National Recovery and Resilience Plan 2021–2026.

Project goal

The project's objective is to implement experimental quantum communication systems and networks, supplemented and integrated with a range of classical secure communication technologies.

This includes building and testing devices and systems that combine the best of quantum, post-quantum, classical, and quantum-enhanced solutions.

CroQCI will ensure the network architecture and use case designs that will enable the integration of ground infrastructure with a future space component into a fully functional quantum communication network.

Structure and Design Elements

The project elements or work packages are described below:

Work Package 1 – Building Blocks for Quantum Communication (IRB Lead)
Work Package 2 – Network Architecture (Lead CARNET)
Work Package 3 – Terrestrial Optical Infrastructure (FPZ Lead)
Work Package 4 – Space Connectivity (lead by FER)
Work package 5 – Key Management and Case Study Application (lead organization CARNET)
Work Package 6 – Education (lead SRCE)
Work Package 7 – Dissemination and Communication (led by CARNET)
Work Package 8 – Project Management (lead by CARNET)

Project indicators

The project indicators, or project implementation indicators, are foreseen in this project as deliverables (Deliverableswhich are realized during the project through specific work packages.

WP1	Building blocks for quantum communication	Demonstration of Entangled Quantum Key Distribution in the CroQCI Network
WP1	Building blocks for quantum communication	Performance and Readiness Report of Experimental Atomic Clock Synchronization and Quantum Memory Systems for Use in the CroQCI Network
WP2	Network Architecture	QCI Network Architecture Proposal
WP2	Network Architecture	Implementation, management, and sustainability report
WP3	Terrestrial optical infrastructure	Report on established terrestrial optical communication infrastructure
WP3	Terrestrial optical infrastructure	Report on built colocation spaces
WP4	Space connectivity	Defined OGT location and its main components
WP4	Space connectivity	OGT Prototype Development
Work Package 5	Key Management and Case Study Application	KMS Report
Work Package 5	Key Management and Case Study Application	Use cases report
WP6	Education	CroQCI VLE Report
WP6	Education	CroQCI Educational Plan
Windows Phone 7	Dissemination and Communication	CroQCI communication, dissemination plan, and exploitation activities plan
Windows Phone 7	Dissemination and Communication	Number of IPV events and support activities
Windows Phone 8	Project Management	Continuous reporting
Windows Phone 8	Project Management	Periodic report
Windows Phone 8	Project Management	Gap analysis and guidelines for security baseline alignment
Windows Phone 8	Project Management	Report on Participation in the EuroQCI Initiative and Cooperation with Other Digital Projects

Implementation and execution

The project involves the implementation of a pilot fiber optic-based quantum key distribution (QKD) terrestrial network. This will enable the national strategic communication infrastructure to be upgraded to the level of secure information exchange using quantum communication technology, making it ready for connection with the quantum communication infrastructure of neighboring EU member states and facilitating full integration into the future EuroQCI network.

As part of the project, through activities coordinated with the support of the European Space Agency, the foundation will be laid for a long-distance quantum communication (QC) link via satellite between EU member states and Croatia through an optical ground station.

The knowledge transfer process between the research community and partner institutions will result in new engineers and technicians trained to produce components, devices, and software for the application of new quantum technologies. This will have an important impact on fostering high-tech adoption and economic growth, not only in Croatia but also in the wider European context. The demonstration of QKD within the project will provide an opportunity for user education and training in quantum communication technologies and will increase readiness for the design and implementation of next-generation highly secure communication and data networks.

Project duration:

1. 1. 2023. – 30. 6. 2026.

Sources of funding:

DEP (50%) – €4,999,667.00
NPOO (50%) – €4,999,667.00
Total Amount – 9.999.334,04 €

All expected outcomes and results of the project described above, in the broader context of the European Quantum Communication Infrastructure (EuroQCI) framework, will contribute to the long-term strategic autonomy and digital sovereignty of the EU.