The complete transition from analogue to the digital TV is planned in Europe for 2012. This will release significant amount of valuable spectrum in VHF/UHF bands. In fact, the Digital TV Switchover provides a "once in a lifetime" opportunity for the development of innovative services and the introduction sophisticated new technologies into the VHF/UHF bands.However, despite the grand words about opening up a new band to support low cost, low power, ubiquitous access and innovative new providers, there are many obstacles to TV white spaces systems. The creation of workable devices that clearly demonstrate and prove that no harmful interference is caused to broadcasters or other licensed systems is one of those challenges as is the completion of standards.The CogEU proposal aims to take advantage of the transition to digital TV by developing cognitive radio systems that leverage the favourable propagation characteristics of the TVWS through the introduction and promotion of real-time secondary spectrum trading and the creation of new spectrum commons in the upper band of the cleared spectrum. CogEU will also define new methodologies for TVWS equipment certification and compliance addressing coexistence with the DVB-T/H European standard.Three main application scenarios with good market potential will be investigated:•\tCellular, WiFi and WiMax network extension over TV white spaces•\tMobile TV over TV white spaces•\tPublic safety applications over TVWSAs a consequence the project should help the European decision makers and standards to move the TV spectrum management paradigm towards a more liberal and efficient method, by providing sufficient evidence on the technology and economic viability of its deployment. In fact the project timeframe perfectly matches the TV Digital switchover roadmap planned for most of the European countries.