TerzakiMaria Egov

MASTER
PROGRAMME (MSc)
e-GOVERNMENT
UNIVERSITY OF
THE AEGEAN
SCHOOL OF
SCIENCES
DEPARTMENT OF
INFORMATION AND
COMMUNICATION
SYSTEMS
“Digital Transformation:
ENGINEERING
INFORMATION An Analysis of Strategies & National-level

SYSTEMS
LABORATORY
Initiatives”
DIGITAL
[Terzaki Maria]
GOVERNANCE [3262019016, m_terzaki@yahoo.gr]
RESEARCH CENTER
Supervisor : Reseacher, PhD Charalampos

Alexopoulos
October 2021
University of the Aegean - Digital Transformation: An Analysis of Strategies & National-level Initiatives
2
Θ Διπλωματικι Εργαςία παρουςιάςτθκε ενϊπιον

του Διδακτικοφ Προςωπικοφ του Πανεπιςτθμίου Αιγαίου
΢ε Μερικι Εκπλιρωςθ των απαιτιςεων για τθν απόκτθςθ του μεταπτυχιακοφ διπλϊματοσ
ειδίκευςθσ «ΘΛΕΚΣΡΟΝΙΚΘ ΔΙΑΚΤΒΕΡΝΘ΢Θ»
Θ ΣΡΙΜΕΛΘ΢ ΕΠΙΣΡΟΠΘ ΔΙΔΑ΢ΚΟΝΣΩΝ

ΕΠΙΚΤΡΩΝΕΙ ΣΘ ΔΙΠΛΩΜΑΣΙΚΘ ΕΡΓΑ΢ΙΑ
ΣΘ΢
ΣΕΡΗΑΚΘ ΜΑΡΙΑ΢
Επιβλζπων: Διδάςκων Χαράλαμποσ Αλεξόπουλοσ
Σμιμα Μθχανικϊν Πλθροφοριακϊν

και Επικοινωνιακϊν ΢υςτθμάτων
3
Μζλοσ 1: Λουκισ Ευρυπίδθσ
Κακθγθτισ

Μζλοσ 2: Χαραλαμπίδθσ Ιωάννθσ
Κακθγθτισ

© 2021
Με επιφφλαξθ παντόσ δικαιϊματοσ.
Σερηάκθ Μαρία
Πανεπιςτιμιο Αιγαίου
4
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Warm thanks to my supervisor Charalampos Alexopoulos for the constructive cooperation, the
excellent guidance and for his patience.
΢τουσ δαςκάλουσ μου

Που με βοικθςαν
Να φτάςω
Ωσ εδϊ
Μαρία Σερηάκθ
5
Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to provide an analysis of strategic priorities and a
comprehensive cross-national comparative framework to compare digital transformation Initiatives
among the EU27 MS. Furthermore, this paper attempts to study the strategy of Digital
Transformation and Innovative public services in the European Union and its Member States and to
highlight the important steps that have been taken in this field, especially in recent years.
Methodology/approach: There is no comprehensive analysis comparing digital transformation

strategies between Member States in a wide range of aspects. This is attempted through the
analysis of the policies implemented in this area and the current situation as well as the analysis of
the main actions carried out through the EU eGovernment Action Plan and the Member States'
strategies on digital transformation policies. The aim of the research was to develop such a
framework for comparing digital transformation policies between EU Member States.
Main findings: The comparison framework of digital transformation policies highlighted many
lessons that can be learned. Α key conclusion that emerges is that in the policy landscape of
European countries, digital transformation policies take different shapes. The overall results across
the EU show broad diversity in the speed of transformation and in the priorities that countries have
set. These policies have common goals but differ in many aspects e.g., policy design, funding
approach, financial size and implementation strategies. The priorities set by each country for the
digital transformation of the public administration are guided by the EU policies, quidelines and
eGovernment action plan but are also determined by the particularities, peculiarities and needs of
the business environment and society as a whole.
Keywords: Digital Tranformation Policies, Digital Tranformation Strategies, Analysis framework,

Innovative public services, EU eGovernment action plan.
6
Περίλθψθ
«Ψηφιακόσ Μεταςχηματιςμόσ: Ανάλυςη Στρατηγικών & Πρωτοβουλιών ςε Εθνικό Επίπεδο»
Σκοπόσ: Ο ςκοπόσ αυτισ τθσ εργαςίασ είναι να παρζχει μια ανάλυςθ των προτεραιοτιτων των
ςτρατθγικϊν ψθφιακοφ μεταςχθματιςμοφ και ενόσ ολοκλθρωμζνου διακρατικοφ ςυγκριτικοφ
πλαιςίου για τθ ςφγκριςθ των πρωτοβουλιϊν ψθφιακοφ μεταςχθματιςμοφ μεταξφ των κρατϊν
μελϊν τθσ ΕΕ27. Επιπλζον, θ παροφςα εργαςία επιχειρεί να μελετιςει τθ ςτρατθγικι του
Ψθφιακοφ Μεταςχθματιςμοφ και των Καινοτόμων Δθμόςιων Τπθρεςιϊν ςτθν Ευρωπαϊκι Ζνωςθ
και τα κράτθ μζλθ τθσ και να αναδείξει τα ςθμαντικά βιματα που ζχουν γίνει ςτον τομζα αυτό,
ιδιαίτερα τα τελευταία χρόνια.
Μεθοδολογική προςζγγιςη: Δεν υπάρχει μια ευρεία ανάλυςθ θ οποία να ςυγκρίνει τισ ςτρατθγικζσ
ψθφιακοφ μεταςχθματιςμοφ μεταξφ των κρατϊν μελϊν ςε ζνα ευρφ φάςμα πτυχϊν. Αυτό
επιχειρείται να γίνει μζςω τθσ ανάλυςθσ των πολιτικϊν που εφαρμόςτθκαν ςτον τομζα αυτό και
τθσ τρζχουςασ κατάςταςθσ που διαμορφϊκθκε κακϊσ επίςθσ και τθσ διερεφνθςθσ των κυρίαρχων
δράςεων που ζχουν πραγματοποιθκεί ςτο πλαίςιο του ςχεδίου δράςθσ τθσ ΕΕ για τθν θλεκτρονικι
διακυβζρνθςθ και των ςτρατθγικϊν των κρατϊν μελϊν ςχετικά με τισ πολιτικζσ ψθφιακοφ
μεταςχθματιςμοφ. Ο ςτόχοσ τθσ ζρευνασ ιταν να αναπτυχκεί ζνα τζτοιο πλαίςιο για τθ ςφγκριςθ
των πολιτικϊν ψθφιακοφ μεταςχθματιςμοφ μεταξφ των κρατϊν μελϊν τθσ ΕΕ.
Κφρια ευρήματα: Σο πλαίςιο ςφγκριςθσ των πολιτικϊν ψθφιακοφ μεταςχθματιςμοφ ανζδειξε

πολλά διδάγματα που μποροφν να αντλθκοφν. Ζνα βαςικό ςυμπζραςμα που προκφπτει είναι ότι οι
πολιτικζσ ψθφιακοφ μεταςχθματιςμοφ μεταξφ των κρατϊν μελϊν παίρνουν διαφορετικζσ μορφζσ.
Σα ςυνολικά αποτελζςματα ςε ολόκλθρθ τθν ΕΕ δείχνουν ευρεία ποικιλομορφία ςτθν ταχφτθτα του
μεταςχθματιςμοφ και ςτισ προτεραιότθτεσ που ζχουν κζςει οι χϊρεσ. Αυτζσ οι πολιτικζσ ζχουν
κοινοφσ ςτόχουσ αλλά διαφζρουν ςε πολλζσ πτυχζσ, όπωσ ο ςχεδιαςμόσ πολιτικισ, θ προςζγγιςθ
χρθματοδότθςθσ, το οικονομικό μζγεκοσ και οι ςτρατθγικζσ εφαρμογισ. Οι προτεραιότθτεσ που
κζτει κάκε χϊρα για τον ψθφιακό μεταςχθματιςμό τθσ δθμόςιασ διοίκθςθσ κακοδθγοφνται από τισ
πολιτικζσ τθσ ΕΕ, τισ βαςικζσ γραμμζσ και το ςχζδιο δράςθσ τθσ θλεκτρονικισ διακυβζρνθςθσ, αλλά
κακορίηονται επίςθσ από τισ ιδιαιτερότθτεσ και τισ ανάγκεσ του επιχειρθματικοφ περιβάλλοντοσ και
τθσ κοινωνίασ ςτο ςφνολό τθσ κάκε χϊρασ.
Λζξεισ – Κλειδιά: Πολιτικζσ Ψθφιακοφ Μεταςχθματιςμοφ, ΢τρατθγικζσ Ψθφιακοφ

Μεταςχθματιςμοφ, Πλαίςιο ςφγκριςθσ, Καινοτόμεσ δθμόςιεσ υπθρεςίεσ, ςχζδιο δράςθσ τθσ ΕΕ για
τθν θλεκτρονικι διακυβζρνθςθ.
7
Table of Contents
1. INTRODUCTION............................................................................................................ 10
2. METHODOLOGY ........................................................................................................... 11
3. ANALYSIS FRAMEWORK ............................................................................................... 12
3.1. DEVELOPMENT OF ANALYSIS FRAMEWORK - research approach. ................................................... 12
3.2. DATA ACQUISITION. ..................................................................................................................... 13
3.3. ANALYSIS - A framework for analyzing & evaluating digital transformation policies. ....................... 14
4. DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION NATIONAL STRATEGIES: ANALYSIS OF PRIORITIES ............. 16
6. COMPARING THE DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION INITIATIVES: RESULTS ................................ 1
7. DISCUSSION: JUXTAPOSITION WITH OTHER INDICATORS ................................................. 1
7.1. DESI- DIGITAL ECONOMY AND SOCIETY INDEX................................................................................. 1
7.2 . RELATED RESEARCH - STATE OF PLAY OF DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATIONS
– EU27 .................................................................................................................................................. 2
7.2.1 - Policy and legal initiatives supporting the transformation of the public sector ................................................ 2
7.2.2 – The main eGovernment players at national, regional and local levels ............................................................. 4
7.2.3 – Progression of eGovernment services in Europe .............................................................................................. 5
8. CONCLUSIONS ................................................................................................................... 8
9. REFERENCES: ................................................................................................................... 11
10. APPENDICES .................................................................................................................. 18
Appendix 1 ......................................................................................................................................... 18
1. Greece – Digital Transformation Strategy ......................................................................................... 18
2. Austria – Digital Transformation Strategy ......................................................................................... 19
3. Belgium – Digital Transformation Strategy ....................................................................................... 19
4. Bulgaria – Digital Transformation Strategy ....................................................................................... 20
5. Croatia – Digital Transformation Strategy......................................................................................... 21
6. Cyprus – Digital Transformation Strategy ......................................................................................... 23
7. Czechia – Digital Transformation Strategy ........................................................................................ 24
8. Denmark – Digital Transformation Strategy ...................................................................................... 25
9 Estonia – Digital Transformation Strategy ......................................................................................... 26
10. Finland – Digital Transformation Strategy....................................................................................... 27
11. France – Digital Transformation Strategy........................................................................................ 28
12. Germany – Digital Transformation Strategy .................................................................................... 29
13. Hungary – Digital Transformation Strategy ..................................................................................... 30
14. Ireland – Digital Transformation Strategy ....................................................................................... 31
15. Italy – Digital Transformation Strategy ........................................................................................... 32
16. Latvia – Digital Transformation Strategy ......................................................................................... 33
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17. Lithuania – Digital Transformation Strategy.................................................................................... 34
18. Luxembourg – Digital Transformation Strategy ............................................................................... 34
19. Malta – Digital Transformation Strategy ......................................................................................... 35
20. Poland – Digital Transformation Strategy ....................................................................................... 36
21. Portugal – Digital Transformation Strategy ..................................................................................... 36
22. Romania – Digital Transformation Strategy .................................................................................... 37
23. Slovakia – Digital Transformation Strategy ..................................................................................... 38
24. Slovenia – Digital Transformation Strategy ..................................................................................... 39
25. Spain – Digital Transformation Strategy ......................................................................................... 40
26. Sweden – Digital Transformation Strategy ...................................................................................... 41
27. The Netherlands – Digital Transformation Strategy......................................................................... 43
Appendix 2 ......................................................................................................................................... 45
Appendix 3 ......................................................................................................................................... 95
Table of table contents
Table 1 Policy context……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..15

Table 2 The priorities of MSs in relation to Digital Transformation Strategies…………………………………19
Table 5 Analysys Framework of National Digital Transformation Strategy of EU27 MSs………………….26
Table 7 Digital Public Administration Factsheets 2020…………………………………………………………………….45
Table 8 Comparisnons of DESI 2019 & 2020………………………………………………………………………………….168
Table of figures contents
Figure 1 Frequency of the priorities of the MSs Digital Transformation Strategies………………………….22

Figure 2 Frequency of the main priorities of the MSs Digital Transformation Strategies………………...23
Figure 3 Analysis of the National Digital Transformation Strategies by key component…………………..27
Figure 4 Analysis of the National Digital Transformation Strategies by county………………………………..28
Figure 5 Analysis of the National Digital Transformation by county according to DESI-2020 order…29
Figure 6 DESI 2020………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….30
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1. INTRODUCTION
The policy of digital transformation and innovative public services in the European Union is
particularly important and necessary to ensure the well-being of citizens and businesses as well as to
improve the online economy. To this end, the European Union is working on various fronts to
promote digital transformation1.
In the last years, EU2 has followed a strategic path for digital transformation and Member States
have established some fundamental pillars to keep moving in that direction such as:
 An integral regulatory framework that guides and provides the basis for the digital
transformation’s regulation
 A consolidated institutional framework for the collaboration between governmental
agencies and with external organizations, with defined roles for each of them
 A technological infrastructure that is ready responds to high demand for services and with
the required security to protect the citizens’ and governmental data
There is a wide variety of existing conceptualizations and definitions of the digital government
phenomenon, the measured and expected effects of the application of the more disrupted
innovations and emerging technologies in public governance, as well as key drivers and barriers for
transforming the public sector.
Many now compare digital transformation with earlier industrial transformation launched by
general purpose technologies like electricity. Whether it is the Second Machine Age, the Third Wave,
Industries 4.0 or Society 5.0, important shifts are underway.
Digital transformation affects all countries across the globe. The ongoing digital transformation of
the public governance, economy and society holds many promises to spur innovation, generate
efficiencies and improve services and in doing so boost productivity growth. Digital technologies also
make it easier for people to participate in economic and social activities. Yet such benefits come
with new challenges as digital transformation changes the nature and structure of organizations,
markets and communities, and raises and concerns around jobs and skills, privacy and security, as
well as notions of equity and inclusion3.
Realising the opportunities and addressing the challenges is not automatic and may require policy
actions to make digital transformation to work for growth and well-being.
This paper is structured as follows. The next section presents the methodology. Sudsequently
presented the framework that is used to compare the digital transformation strategies and the
presentation of the results of analysis. The final part clarifies the contribution and implication made
in this study.
In the Appendices there is an overview of the digital transformation strategies of Member States
and EU, the presentation of the data of the Digital Public Administration factsheets 2020 and finaly
the analysis by DESI 2020 and the comparison tables for 2019 & 2020.
1
European Union (2021), 2030 Digital Compass: the European way for the Digital Decade
2
Exploring Digital Government Transformation in the EU-Understanding public sector innovation in a data-driven society, 2020.
3
Assessing the impacts of digital government tranformation in the EU-Conseptual framework and empirical case studies, 2020.
10
2. METHODOLOGY
There is not overview available that compare the digital transformation policies on a wide range of
aspects.It is particularly important to be able to be assessed the performance of the digital
transformation strategy in a Member State in relation to the EU action plan and policies in this area.
Analysing digital transformation policies on different aspects and different levels of government is
necessary and useful in order to obtain a better understanding either of the common or differing
elements in the implemented policies and to identify the factors that affect these variations in
policies.
This will be done through the analysis of the current situation and the research of the actions that
have been carried out within the framework of the EU eGovernment Action Plan 2016-2020 and
Member States regarding digital transformation policies.
The research goal was to develop a framework for analysinging digital transformation policies and to
be able this framework to be used this in comparing the digital transformation policies of EU MS’s.
To this end, the literature review and case studies were carried out to formulate an analysis
framework that was used to compare the digital transformation policies of the EU Member States.
Methodology steps
• Identification of Indicators
Development of
• Literature
Analysis
Framework • Gov factsheets
• Source: Gov Factsheets

Data Acquisition
• Source: National Strategies
• Level of accomplishment of EU -Action plan

• Comparison eGov Factsheets (own indicator) with DESI
Analysis • Priorities Analysis of National strategies
• Most important strategic goals

•Analysis of strategies per country
Conclusions
•Analysis of strategies by key components
11
3. ANALYSIS FRAMEWORK
3.1. DEVELOPMENT OF ANALYSIS FRAMEWORK - research approach.
Research goal is to develop a cross-national framework for comparing digital transformation

policies, by investigating the literature and by analyzing MS’s and EU action plans, reports of digital
strategy, documents, participation in forum and searching on websites about digital transformation
policies.
First of all, research was done in the literature to formulate the framework for comparing digital
transformation policies between countries. Therefore, firstly are presented the policies and the
policy-making of digital transformation. Subsequently, a comparative framework for digital
transformation policies is derived from the literature, in which digital transformation policies are
compared at a national level. This analysis approach resulted in a list of elements, which was used to
create a framework for comparing digital transformation strategies among EU MS27 derived mainly
from the Digital Public Administration Factsheets 2020, the national Action Plans and the EU
eGovernment Action Plan 2016-2020. Finally, the framework for comparing and evaluating digital
transformation policies is presented.
Research approach: Policy deals with processes, activities and/or decisions that tackle societal
problems (Stewart, Hedge, & Lester, 2008). Because policies aim to achieve a certain impact in
society in this point of view comparisons of strategies should include the factors that contribute to
and influence this impact.
According to Stewart et al., 2008, policies are developed using policy-making cycles which can
consist of stages including: Agenda setting, Policy formulation, Policy implementation, Policy
evaluation and Policy change or termination.
From this aspect the data for comparison are drawn from the bibliography and these findings are
divided into 4 categories / parts, which are related to the respective stages concerning the policy-
making cycles and specifically [A. Zuiderwijk M. Janssen, (2013)]:
 Policy environment & context related to agenda setting
 Policy related to policy formulations & implementations
 Performance indicators related to policy evaluation and
 Realizing public values related to policy change or termination
The literature suggests the use of a number of elements for the initial framework for comparing
digital transformation policies.
Nugroho, Zuiderwijk, Janssen and Martin de Long (2015), provide a comprehensive cross-national
comparative framework using the elements: level of government organization, key
motivations/policy objectives, portal launch, technology penetration, ICT infrastructure, funding,
legislation, social and political contexts/culture and drivers or forces of initiation.
12
According to Matt, Hess, Benlian (2015) digital transformation strategies have certain elements in
common. These elements can be ascribed to four essential dimensions: 1) use of technologies, 2)
changes in value creation, 3) structural changes, and 4) financial aspects.
Morakanyane, O’Reilly and Mc Avoy (2020) analysis revealed a total of 7 success factors (determine
digital trigger, cultivate digital culture, develop digital vision, determine digital drivers, establish
digital organization, determine transformed areas, determine impacts), 23 subfactors and attributes.
M. Kotarba (2017), analyzed the metrics used to measure digitalization activities. Five main levels
are analyzed – moving from the metrics of the digital economy to society, industry, enterprise and
clients. Indicatively, digital economy metrics are: Digital Density Index (DDI– measuring how digital
technologies impact the economic growth) and DESI, the DDI is strongly market/economy oriented,
while the DESI includes a view on both economic and social factors. The measurement of society
digitalization is a part of the DESI and one of the most prominent examples of metrics that are used
to measure the digital state of industries is Industry Digitalization Index (IDI). Furthermore, the level
of a single enterprise digitalization can be measured with industry metrics (IDI) and additional KPIs.
FUJITSU, Global Digital Transformation Survey Report (2019) defined six main factors which called
them “digital muscles”: leadership, ecosystem, empowered people, a culture of agility, value from
data, business integration. McKinsey & Company, Survey on Digital Transformation (2018) revealed
five disciplines for successful transformation (5 Cs): committed leadership, clear purpose &
priorities, cadence & coordination in delivery, compelling communication and capability for change.
Zuiderwijk and Janssen (2013) point to the important elements of: 1) country, 2) level of
government organization and mission type, 3) key motivations, policy objectives, 4) open data
platform launch, 5) resource allocation and economic context, 5) resource allocation and economic
context, 6) legislation and 7) social and political contexts, culture in which the opening of data is
institutionalized. The first stage of policy-making cycle is agenda setting, which is influenced by
environment and context. In this comparison framework they are used only those identified
elements that are relevant for a digital transformation policy comparison at national level towards
the average of EU through the DESI, the performance indicators through the eGovernment
indicators and the public values (impact) through the digital public administration indicators.
The European Commission has been monitoring Member States’ digital progress through the Digital
Economy and Society Index (DESI) reports since 2014. Furthermore, Digital Public Administration
factsheets include a prime source of information on all matters related to digital public
administration and interoperability in the EU and gather useful information on the main digital
trends and developments in this field.
3.2. DATA ACQUISITION.
The analysis framework aims to provide a comprehensive cross-national comparison on Digital

Transformation policies among the EU27 MS based on the Member States' action plans and the EU
eGovernment action plan 2016-2020.
13
Specifically, the most key and representative factors selected from the Public Administration
factsheets 2020 were used to compare the digital transformation policy between countries in the
analysis framework. These factors selected to compare the digital transformation policy are also
included in the EU eGovernment action plan 2016-2020 and are the most representative. (Digital
Public Administration factsheet , 2020)
The comparison of digital transformation strategies includes both qualitative and quantitative data.
Information sources, for each country, have been derived by the followings:
For the analysis framework:
 The main highlights of the Digital Public Administration factsheets 2020
For the other comparison:
 The key findings of the report Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI) 2020 for each
county and
 The main highlights of the Digital Public Administration factsheets 2020, complemented
with some specific indicators on digital public administration and eGovernment
3.3. ANALYSIS - A framework for analyzing & evaluating digital transformation policies.
The EU eGovernment Αction Plan 2016-2020 has been used as a driver to collect the appropriate
information from the eGovenrmnet factsheets 2020 of each country in order to derive the
framework for the analysis and evaluation of Digital transformation policies.
The data used by the Digital Public Administration Factsheets 2020 fall into four main categories:
 Political Communication (Policy objectives/key motivations, Social and political contexts,
culture of government trust and adoption of digital strategy),
 Legislation,
 Infrastructure and
 Governance (Level of government organization and mission type)
All the data by category are presented in the following table and are the framework for comparing
the digital transformation strategies of the EU Member States.
Analysis Framework
Table 1: Policy context4 - elements of Digital Public Administration Factsheets 2020
4
7. Tables of comparison – Digital Public Administration Factsheets 2020 (Appendix 2)
14
Number Code Description Measurement Source
1 PC Political Communications Digital_Public_Administration_Factshee
(Policy objectives/key motivations, Social and Number of political ts_Greece_vFINAL.pdf (europa.eu)
political contexts, culture of government trust communications
and adoption of digital strategy)
1.1 SPC Specific political communications on
digital public administration
1.2 INT Interoperability
1.3 KeE Key Enablers
1.3.1 api Access to public information
1.3.2 e&t eID & Trust Services
1.3.3 sa Security aspects
1.3.4 ibr Interconnection of base registries
1.3.5 epr eProcurement
1.4 D-SPC Domain-specific political
communications
1.5 ET Emerging technologies
2 LE Legislation Number of laws

2.1 SLE Specific legislation on digital public
administration
2.2 INT Interoperability
2.3 KeE Key Enablers
2.3.1 api Access to public information
2.3.2 e&t eID & Trust Services
2.3.3 sa Security aspects
2.3.4 ibr Interconnection of base registries
2.3.5 epr eProcurement
2.4 DSPC Domain-specific legislation
2.5 ET Emerging technologies
3 IN Infrastructure Number of infrastructure

3.1 POR Portals (Nationals / Subnational)
3.2 NET Networks
3.3 DaE Data Exchange
3.4 E&T eID & Trust Services
3.5 ePR eProcurement
3.6 ePA ePayment
3.7 KnM Know Management
3.8 CBP Cross-border platforms
3.9 BRE Base registries
4 GO Government Number of unit responsible

4.1 NAT National
4.1.1 pol Policy
4.1.2 coo Coordination
4.1.3 imp Implementation
4.1.4 sup Support
4.1.5 inc Interoperability coordination
4.1.6 brc Base registry coordination
4.1.7 aud Audit
4.1.8 dap Data protection
4.2 SUB Subnational

4.2.1 pol Policy
4.2.2 coo Coordination
4.2.3 imp Implementation
4.2.4 sup Support
4.2.5 inc Interoperability coordination
15
4. DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION NATIONAL STRATEGIES: ANALYSIS OF PRIORITIES
This section provides the results of the study of the strategies and the action plans of the Member
States. In most of the cases these are embebed into one document. The study and translation of the
Member States' action plans for the digital transformation strategy has demonstrated the key
priorities for countries in this area.
The priorities that were collected in this process included: digital skills, digital public services, digital
economy, research and innovation, digital society, data as a driver of growth in trade and industry,
connectivity infrastructure, AI in the public sector/economy/industry, Inclusion of all (including
vulnerable groups) into digital, Cyber Security and protection of human rights, Digital
Entrepreneurship / Business, Modern / Smart State, Trust and Security, ICT for the environment/
ecological transition/ Green investment/ low carbon economy, Digital Health, Digital enhancement
of SMEs, Broadband Infrastructure, ICT Infrustructure, Digital Agriculture, Digital enhancement of
Start Ups, International cooperation and leadership, Digital School, 5G technology, International
cooperation and leadership, Citizen at the center - strategy for a digitally cooperating state
administration, ICT development of the digital employment, Digital Fintech, Digital hub for stronger
digital growth, Cyber literacy, Blockchain, Interoperability, Transparency and open administration,
Digital Single Market - free cross-boarder access to online services & entertainment, Strategy for a
strong democracy and last Digital resilience.
Digital transformation is a process characterized by the widespread implementation and combining

of digital technologies in all spheres of public and economic life.
The path of digital government transformation allows the following:
 Create public value through services that meet citizens’ needs, expectations and preferences
in an equitable, inclusive, efficient, transparent and innovative way.
 Promote the intensive use of technologies such as the Internet, mobile devices, shared
platforms and the use of data and information as an integral part of its transformation
policies.
 Move towards an omni-channel service strategy for citizens that promotes a homogeneous,
inclusive and high quality experience.
 Respect the values that the Government considers fundamental and congruent with its
governance’s architecture.
The development of a coherent digital transformation strategy (DTS) benefits strongly from a
strategic vision for the digital transformation of a country. Such a vision helps shape main priorities
and objectives of a DTS and facilitates coherence among different policy issues addressed within the
strategy. Additionally, the strategic vision may clarify how digital transformation can contribute to
economic growth and social prosperity, address grand challenges such as those related to health or
climate change, and help achieve high-level policy objectives such as inclusive growth, well-being
and sustainable development.
The following tables (2, 3 & 4) present the main priorities of the Member States as analyzed above.
The analysis reveals the 32 priorities which are presented based on their frequency in the action
16
plans of the Member States (Figure 1) and then a graphic representation of the main priorities is
made (Figure 2).
The Figure shows in detail the frequency of occurrence of the digital transformation strategy
priorities: Digital skills (18) , Digital public services (18), Digital economy (13), Research and
innovation (13), , Digital society (11), Data as a driver of growth in trade and industry (9),
Connectivity infrastructure (8), AI in the public sector/economy/industry (8), Inclusion of all
(including vulnerable groups) into digital (7), Cyber Security and protection of human rights (7),
Digital Entrepreneurship / Business (7), Modern/Smart State (6), Trust and Security (6), ICT for the
environment/ ecological transition/ Green investment/ low carbon economy (5), Digital Health (5),
Digital enhancement of SMEs (4), Digital Agriculture (4), Broadband Infrastructure (3), ICT
Infrustructure (3), Digital enhancement of Start Ups (3), International cooperation and leadership
(3), 5G technology (2), Citizen at the center - strategy for a digitally cooperating state administration
(2), Interoperability (2), Digital School (1), ICT development of the digital employment (1), Digital
Fintech (1), Digital hub for stronger digital growth (1), Blockchain (1), Transparency and open
administration (1), Digital Single Market - free cross-boarder access to online services &
entertainment (1), Strategy for a strong democracy (1) and last Digital resilience (1).
The Member States which include these priorities in its strategies are by category:
 Digital skills: (Greece, Austria, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Spain, Belgium,
Bulgaria, Hungary, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland Portugal, Romania, The Netherlands).
 Digital public services: (Greece, Cyprus, France, Germany, Malta, Spain, Bulgaria, Croatia,
Czechia, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxemburg, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, The
Netherland).
 Research and innovation: (Austria, Estonia, France, Germany, Bulgaria, Croatia, Ireland,
Latvia, Lithuania, Poland Portugal, Romania, Slovenia).
 Digital economy: (Greece, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, Croatia, Estonia, Hungary, Spain,
Belgium, Czechia, Italy, Slovakia, Sweden)
 Digital society: (Austria, Estonia, France, Germany, Malta, Spain, Czechia, Italy, Luxemberg,
Romania, Slovenia)
 Data as a driver of growth in trade and industry: (Denmark, Finland, Spain, Bulgary, Croatia,
Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia, The Netherland).
 Connectivity infrastructure: (Greece, Cyprus, Estonia, Spain, Latvia, Romania, Slovenia, The
Netherland).
 AI in the public sector/economy/industry: (Austria, Spain, Belgium, Italy, Lithuania,
Slovakia, Sweden, The Netherland).
 Inclusion of all (including vulnerable groups) into digital: (Cyprus, Finland, Malta, Portugal,
Romania, Slovenia, The Netherland).
 Cyber Security and protection of human rights: (Denmark, Estonia, Spain, Belgium, Hungary,
Slovenia, Sweden).
 Digital Entrepreneurship / Business: (Cyprus, Malta, Spain, Croatia, Italy, Luxemburg,
Slovenia).
 Modern/Smart State: (Estonia, Germany, Croatia, Latvia, Luxemburg, Slovakia).
 Trust and Security: (Greece, Austria, Bulgaria, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania)
 ICT for the environment/ ecological transition: (Cyprus, France, Bulgaria, Italy, Romania).
 Digital Health: (Spain, Hugary, Poland, Romania, Sweden)
 Digital enhancement of SMEs: (Denmark, Spain, Ireland, Italy)
 Broadband Infrastructure (3): (Lithuania, Poland, Sweden)
 ICT Infrustructure: (Austria, Germany, Bulgaria)
 Digital Agriculture: (Spain, Belgium, Hungary, Slovakia)
17
 Digital enhancement of Start Ups: (Spain, Belgium, Hungary)
 International cooperation and leadership: (Estonia, Czechia, Portugal)
 Citizen at the center: (Finland, Sweden)
 5G technology: (Spain, Hungary)
 Interoperability: (Lithuania, Romania)
 Digital School: (Sweden)
 Digital Fintech: (Hungary)
 Digital hub for stronger digital growth: (Denmark)
 Blockchain: (Italy)
 Transparency and open administration: (Luxemburg)
 Digital Single Market-free cross-boarder access to online services & entertainment:
(Romania)
 Strategy for a strong democracy: (Sweden)
 Digital resilience: (The Netherland).
18
Table 2: The Prioroties of the MSs in relation to Digital Transformation
Country Greece Austria Cyprus Denmark Estonia Finland France Germany Malta Spain
GR AT CY DK EE FI FR DE MT ES
Primary Goal Digital Transformation Digital Transformation Digital Transformation Digital Transformation Digital Transformation Digital Transformation Digital Transformation Digital Transformation Digital Transformation Digital Transformation
 Improve the wellbeing of

 Digital hub for stronger digital  Connections and telecom  Opening up access to public  Accelerate the
 Research and innovation  Connect Cyprus  Digital Skills Citizens and civil society.  Digital connectivity.
▪ Developing national next generation growth market data and its efficient use, ecological transition,
Everyone
connectivity infrastructure
 lead the roll-out of 5G technology in Europe and

 Modernize public administration and  Promoting user-oriented  Create a skill-based  Transform the way Business
▪ Accelerating economic digitalisation  AI in the public sector  Digital enhancement of SMEs  State information system  Infrastructure and Equipment. incentivising its contribution to an increase in economic
provide public electronic services service development, society, operates.
productivity, social progress and regional structure
 Foster
▪ Push the ICT sector for the development of  Inclusion of all (including vulnerable Securing the position of older  Innovation and Digital  Enhance the delivery of  Strengthening digital skills in employees and the
 AI in the economy / industry  Digital skills for all  Smart public governance competitiveness and
the digital economy and employment groups) into digital Cyprus people as active citizens, and Transformation Government. population in general.
innovation, and
 Promoting sustainable  Achieve the digital

▪ Strengthening of human resources with  Data as a driver of growth in
 Society, ethics and the labor market  Education and Learning  ICT skills development by adopting new transformation of the  Society in Digital Change.  Strengthening Spanish cyber-security capabilities
Priorities digital skills trade and industry
technologies. public sector.
 Promoting the digitalization of public administration

▪ Fundamental review of the way Digital  Agile regulation of trade and
 Infrastructure  Digital Entrepreneurship  e-Estonia export and media  Modern State. services, especially in such key areas as employment,
Services provide by government industry
justice and social policies
▪ Removal of exclusions and diffusion of the  AI governance, legal issues, safety  Strengthened cyber security in  Accelerating the digitalization of companies, with a
 ICT for the environment  Sustainable digital society
digital economy benefits and security companies particular focus on micro-SMEs and start-ups.
 Qualification and training, and the  Accelerating digitalization of the productive model
Austrian Caretaker Government has  Cyber security R&D & through digital transformation driver projects in
▪ Strengthening security and confidence.
approved the results from this business strategic economic sectors, such as agri-food, mobility,
process. health, tourism, trade and energy, among others
 Improving the attractiveness of Spain as a European

 International cooperation and
audio-visual platform for generating business and jobs,
leadership
with the target of increasing audio-visual production.
 Transitioning to a data economy, guaranteeing safety

 Cyber literacy and privacy and harnessing the opportunities offered by
artificial intelligence
 Transitioning to a data economy, guaranteeing safety

and privacy and harnessing the opportunities offered by
artificial intelligence.
Table 3: The Priorities of the MSs in relation to Digital Transformation

Country Belgium Bulgaria Croatia Czechia Hungary Ireland Italy Latvia Lithuania Luxembourg
BE BG HR Czechia HU IE IT LV LT LU
Primary Goal Digital Transformation Digital Transformation Digital Transformation Digital Transformation Digital Transformation Digital Transformation Digital Transformation Digital Transformation Digital Transformation Digital Transformation
 Deployment of secure digital  Improved business productivity of  Promoting innovation &  Digitisation of
 Czechia in digital Europe  Digital education  ICT education & skills  Digital skills  e-Government services
infrastructure public administration embracing technology economy & society
▪ AI4 Belgium
 Providing access to adequate  Information concept of the  Modernisation of public

 Enhanced quality of life of citizens  Increasing the productivity of  Digitisation of  Digital content in the
▪ Bigital Wallonia 4 AI technological knowledge and digital Czech Republic , (Digital Public  Digital sturt-ups  Internet access administration & improvement of the
through the use of e-services SMEs business Lithuanian language
skills Administration) daily life of citizens and businesses
 Research and innovation capacity  Improved communication between  Digital econimy and society  Strengthening & transforming  Green investement &  Modern & efficient public  Investments in high-speed  Transparency and open
▪ Flemish Artificia Intelligence Action Plan  Digital exports
strengthening citizens and state administration concept the skills base. participation of SMEs administration broadband administration
 Insurance of secure environment for the

▪ Strengthening of human resources with  Artificial Intelligence &
 Unlocking data potential provision of public administration e-  5G deployments  e-services & innovation  e-government
Priorities digital skills Blockchain
services
 Increased competitiveness of economy

 Digitalisation in favor of a circular through the use of public administration  Use of open public data &
▪ Flemish Cybersecurity Action Plan  AI  Trust & security
and low-carbon economy e- services innovative e-service creation
 Opening up space for ICT-based

 Improving the public administration innovations in public administration
 Digitisation in the agriculture  Security, reliability &
▪ e-logostics by Digital Wallonia efficiency & the quality of public through the cooperation of public
sector interoperability
services administration, scientific and business
entities
 Inclusion in the European Digital

▪ Belgian start-up ecosystem Administrative Space  Fintech  Artificial Intelligence
Insurance of access to basic registers,

databases and records in electronic form,
electronic submission of applications and
▪ Smart region and smart agriculture issuance of public documents and data  e-health
from basic registers, databases and
records
2
Table 4: The Prioroties of the MSs in relation to Digital Transformation

Country Poland Portugal Romania Slovakia Slovenia Sweden The Netherlands
PL PT RO SK SI SE NL
Primary Goal Digital Transformation Digital Transformation Digital Transformation Digital Transformation Digital Transformation Digital Transformation Digital Transformation
 Digital Single Market - free cross-

 Digital transformation of  ICT & Internet for the  Information and cyber
 Support for broadband infrastructure  Promote digital literacy for all boarder access to online services &  Artificial Intelligence
schools development of society security strategy
entertainment
 Interoperability & Standards-  Applying data to

 Stimulate employability & skills
integration of devices, applications data &  Conditions for a data-based  Investment in the development  Strategy for a strong resolve social issues &
 e-services (e-government & e-health) training and professional specialization
services needed for cross-border economy of the digital society democracy stimulate economic
in digital technologies and applications
interaction growth
 Foster new knowledge in digital areas  General digitization according

 Digital inclusion and
 Basic and advanced kdigital skills and ensure a strong participation in  Trust and Security  Innovating public administration to the principle of digital by  Smart industry
skills
international R&D&I networks default
Priorities  Support for the development of  Strategy for school

 Upskilling and re-skilling  Fast and ultra-fast Internet access  Digital enterpreneurship  Digital government
Artificial Intelligence digitization
 ICT Research and Innovation  High-speed open internet  Government's strategy for for
 Skills needed for the future  Connectivity
access for all digitization
 Increasing the level of digital literacy,

 Secure cyberspace and
skills and inclusion  Broadband strategy  Digital resilience
protection of human rights
 The benefits of ICT for EU society-

focuses on the capacity of ICT to reduce
energy consumption, support the  Innovative approaches in the
 e-health
assistance of the elderly , revolutionize use of digital techno;ogies
health services & provide better public
services
 Artificial Intelligence
 Citizen at the center - strategy

for a digitally cooperating state
administration
3
Figure 1: Frequency of the priorities of the 27 MSs Digital transformation strategies
18 18
13 13
11
9
8 8
7 7 7
6 6
5 5
4
3 3 3 3 3
2 2 2
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
4
Figure 2: Frequency of the main priorities of the 27 MSs Digital transformation strategies
Cyber Security and protection of Digital Entrepreneurship /

human rights:7 Business : 7
Inclusion of all (including
vulnerable groups) into Digital skills : 18
digital : 7
AI in the public
sector/economy/industry: 8
Digital Public Services : 18
Connectivity Infrastructure :8
Data as a driver of growth in Digital Economy:13

trade and industry:9
Digital Society:11
Research and innovation: 13
5
6. COMPARING THE DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION INITIATIVES: RESULTS
Table 5: “Analysis Framework of Digital Transformation Strategy of EU27 MSs by Likert Scale (1-7)”
provides details on the comparison of digital transformation strategies by MSs that was conducted
using the above-mentioned framework. The strategies of the countries mentioned above are
presented in the summary Σable 5. The results presented are considered the benchmarking of the
countries in terms of digital transformation strategy that were compiled based on the research
methodology. The resuls from this table are discussed in the following section. In Tables 3, 4 & 5 :
“The Primary goal of the MSs in relation to Digital Transformation”, present the primary goal of
digital transformation and the analytical priorities that each MS applied.
The comparison framework which contained the policy environment and context includes four basic
sections: Digital Public Administrations Political Communications (PC), Digital Public
Administration Legislation (LE), Digital Public Administration Infrastructure (IN) and Digital Public
Administration Governance (GO) which allowed us to see a clear picture of the dominant trends for
these areas that be designed and implemented by Member States' administrations between 2016-
2020 following the EU eGovernment Action Plan 2016-2020 and adapting it to the needs of each
country.
According to Figure 3: “Analysis Framework of National Digital Transformation Strategy of EU27 by

key components” & Figure 4: “Analysis Framework of National Digital Transformation Strategy of
EU27 by country”:
At first glance, it is clear that each country has taken a significant number of actions and initiatives
across the spectrum of digital transformation and innovative public services.
Infrastructure: Dominant are the initiatives in the field of Infrastructure (ICT) and specifically in the
portals (national/subnational) where the majority of countries have achieved remarkable
performance.
Portugal has created 40 national portals, Slovenia 20 nationals, France 17- nationals, Belgium 5
nationals & 10 subnationals, Malta 13 nationals & 1 subnational, Cyprus 13 nationals, Luxembergs
12 nationals & 1 sunational and Greece 11 national portals.
Specific poilitical communication: Also, several initiatives and actions have been taken by most of
the MS in the field of Specific poilitical communication. In particurarly for Interoperability all
countries have taken some initiatives except 5 countries: Cyprus, Finland, Italy, Portugal and
Slovakia. On the contrary, most countries have been’t made any initiations in Interconnection of
base registries (key enablers) of political communications, only 8 countries: Denmark, Finland,
Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Malta, Poland, Spain, Sweden and The Netherlands). Furthermore,
half of the total (14 countries: Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, Hungary, Italy,
Lithuania, Luxembour, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, The Netherlands) haven’t take any specific
initiation in political communication key enablers: eProcurement.
Legislation: Many actions and initiatives have been taken in this area by all countries most of which
concern the Interaction of base regigtries (only Cyprus hasn’t any action) and the Domain-specific
legislation (only Luxembourg hasn’t any action).
Governance: In Interoperability coordination at subnational level of Governance only Denmark took

action. In Denmark, one of the overall objectives of digitisation is to associate the relevant levels of
the public sector. Thus, Local Government Denmark (LGDK) and Danish Regions (DR) are also
involved in several of the nationally operated interoperability coordination initiatives, e.g. all the
steering committees created as a part of the Digital Strategy and the Digitisation Pact. Similarly, in
Base registry coordination (Governance/sunational level) 15 countries: Austria, Belgium, Croatia,
Cyprus, Finland, France, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Romania, Slovenia,
and Sweden have no actions in this field.
It becomes clear that based on the analysis framework there is no absolute way to determine which
country is the most effective compared to all the others. This is perceived as there are many sectors
and many levels that the state digital transformation takes place that each country sets its own
priorities each time resulting in some sectors to be more efficient and in some to lag behind.
2
Table 5: Analysis Framework of National Digital Transformation Strategy of EU27 MSs
Countries Analysis Framework of National Digital Transformation Strategy of EU27 MSs by Likert Scale (1-7)
EU 27 GR AΤ BE BG HR CY CZ DK EE FI FR DE HU IE IT LV LT LU MT PL PT RO SK SI ES SE NL
1.Pοlitical Specific poilitical communications on digital public
3 2 4 2 2 4 3 3 2 2 4 3 2 3 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 2 2 3 2
Communications: administration
Interoperability 2 2 2 2 2 1 2 2 2 1 2 2 2 2 1 2 2 2 2 2 1 2 1 2 2 2 2
- Access to public information 2 2 2 2 2 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 2 1 2 2 1 1 1 2 2 2
- eID & Trust Services 2 2 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 2 2 1 1 2 1 2 2 1 1 2 2 2
Key Enablers - Security aspects 2 2 2 1 2 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
- Interconnection of base registries 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 2 1 1 2 2 2 2 1 1 2 2 1 1 1 1 2 2 2
- eProcurement 2 2 1 1 1 1 2 2 1 1 2 2 1 2 1 2 1 1 2 2 1 1 2 1 2 2 1
Domain-specific political communications 2 1 2 2 2 3 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 1 2 2 2 1 2 2 2 1 2 2 2
Emerging technologies 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 2 2 2 3 2 2 3 1 2 2 2 2 2
2. Legislation: Specific legislation on digital public administration 3 2 2 2 2 1 2 2 1 2 3 3 2 1 4 2 2 1 1 2 3 2 2 2 3 2 2
Key Enablers - Security aspects 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
- eProcurement 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 2 2 2 2 2
Domain-specific legislation 2 3 2 2 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 2 1 2 2 3 3 2 2 2 2 2
3. Infrastructure: Portals (National / Subnational) 4 3 5 3 3 5 4 3 3 3 6 2 3 3 3 3 3 5 5 3 7 2 3 6 4 3 3
Networks 2 2 3 2 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 2 2 2 2 2 2
Data Exchange 2 2 2 2 3 3 2 2 2 2 1 2 2 2 2 2 3 1 2 2 2 1 2 3 2 2 2
eID & Trust Services 2 2 3 2 2 2 3 2 3 4 3 2 2 3 3 2 2 2 3 3 2 2 2 2 3 2 3
eProcurement 2 2 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 2 2 2 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 2 2
ePayment 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 2 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 1
Knowledge Management 2 2 2 2 3 2 2 2 3 2 2 2 1 2 2 3 1 2 2 2 3 1 2 2 2 2 2
Cross-boarder platforms 1 1 2 2 2 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 1 2 1 3 2 2 2 2 1 2 2 2 2 2
Base registries 4 2 2 2 3 2 2 2 2 4 3 2 2 2 2 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 2 2 2
4. Governance: 4.1 - Policy 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 2 2 2 2 2 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
4.1 National 4.1 - Coordination 2 2 2 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 4 3 2
4.1 - Implementation 3 2 2 2 4 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 2 2 2 2 3 5 2 2
4.1 - Support 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 2 2
4.1 - Interoperability coordination 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
4.1 - Base registry coordination 2 2 3 2 2 2 3 3 3 2 3 2 2 2 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 2 3 3 2 2
4.1 - Audit 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
4.1 - Data Protection 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
4.2 Subnational 4.2 - Policy 2 2 2 2 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 2 2 2 2 2
(federal 4.2 - Coordination 2 2 2 2 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
regional 4.2 - Implementation 2 2 2 2 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 2 1 2 2 2
and local) 4.2 - Support 2 2 2 2 1 2 2 2 2 2 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 2 2 2 1 2 2 2
4.2 - Audit 2 2 2 2 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 1 2 2 1 2 2 2 2 2
4.2 - Data Protection 2 2 1 2 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 1 2 1 2 1 2 2 1 2 1 2 1 2
Almost
InsufficientLevel 1: [ Ø ] Moderate Level 2: [1, 5) Level 3: [5, 9) Satisfying Level 4: [9, 13) Good Level 5: [13, 17) Very Good Level 6: [17, 21)
Satisfying
Excellent Level 7: [21, 99)
3
Firure 3: Analysis of National Digital Transformation Strategy by key component

4.2 - Data Protection 2 2 1 1 2 2 2 2 1 2 2 2 1 2 1 2 2 2 2 1 2 1 1 2 2 1 2
4.2 - Audit 2 2 1 2 2 2 2 2 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 2 2 2 1 2 2 2 2
4.2 - Support 2 2 2 2 2 1 2 2 1 2 2 2 1 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
4.2 - Implementation 2 2 1 2 1 2 2 2 1 2 2 2 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
4.2 - Coordination 2 2 2 2 1 2 2 2 1 2 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
4.2 - Policy 2 2 1 2 1 2 2 2 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
4.1 - Data Protection 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
4.1 - Audit 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
4.1 - Support 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
4.1 - Implementation 2 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 4 2 2 2 3 2 2 2 2 5 2 2 2 2 3 2 2 2 2
GO 4.1 - Coordination 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 4 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 2
4.1 - Policy 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 2 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
Base registries 2 4 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 2 3 2 3 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 4
Cross-boarder platforms 2 1 1 2 3 2 2 1 2 2 1 2 2 2 3 1 2 2 2 2 2 1 2 2 2 2 2
Knowledge Management 2 2 1 2 2 2 2 1 3 3 3 2 2 2 1 2 2 2 2 2 3 2 2 2 2 2 2
ePayment 2 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 2 2 2 1 1 2 2 2 1 2 1 2 1 2 2 2
eProcurement 2 2 2 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 2 2 2 3 2 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 3
eID & Trust Services 2 2 2 3 2 3 2 2 2 2 2 3 2 3 2 2 2 3 2 3 3 3 3 3 2 2 4
Data Exchange 2 2 1 2 3 2 2 2 3 2 2 2 3 1 3 2 2 2 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
Networks 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
IN
Portals (National / Subnational) 3 4 2 3 5 3 3 3 3 7 3 4 6 6 3 3 2 4 5 5 3 3 5 3 3 3 3
Domain-specific legislation 2 2 3 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 2 2 2 2 3 2 2 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
- eProcurement 2 2 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
- Security aspects 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
LE - Access to public information 2 2 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 2

Specific legislation on digital public administration 2 3 2 4 1 2 2 2 2 3 2 2 2 3 2 2 3 3 1 2 1 1 1 2 2 2 2
Domain-specific political communications 2 2 2 1 3 1 2 2 2 2 1 3 1 2 2 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
- eProcurement 1 2 1 1 1 2 2 1 1 1 2 2 1 2 1 2 2 2 1 1 1 2 2 1 2 2 1
- Security aspects 1 2 2 2 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 2 2 2 2
PC Interoperability 2 2 2 1 1 2 1 2 2 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 1
Specific poilitical communications 2 3 2 3 4 2 3 2 2 2 2 3 2 4 2 2 3 2 2 4 2 3 2 2 3 3 2
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
BG GR RO IT CY PL SK HU HR PT LV CZ SI FR LT AΣ DE ES LU BE EE IE MT NL DK SE FI
4
Firure 4: Analysis of National Digital Transformation Strategy by country
4.2 - Data Protection

4.2 - Audit
4.2 - Base registry coordination
4.2 - Interoperability coordination
4.2 - Support
4.2 - Implementation
4.2 - Coordination
4.2 - Policy
4.1 - Data Protection
4.1 - Audit GO
4.1 - Interoperability coordination
4.1 - Support
4.1 - Implementation
4.1 - Coordination
4.1 - Policy
Base registries
Cross-boarder platforms
Knowledge Management
ePayment
eProcurement IN
eID & Trust Services
Data Exchange
Networks
Portals (National / Subnational)
Emerging technologies
Domain-specific legislation
- eProcurement
- Interconnection of base registries
- Security aspects LE
- eID & Trust Services
- Access to public information
Interoperability
Specific legislation on digital public administration
Emerging technologies
Domain-specific political communications
- eProcurement
- Interconnection of base registries
- Security aspects PC
- eID & Trust Services
- Access to public information
Interoperability
ES PT FR CZ IT FI DK DE SE BE GR EE MT LV PL HU SI BG NL AΣ HR IE SK LU LT CY RO Specific poilitical communications on digital public administration
5
Figure 5: Analysis of National Digital Transformation Strategy of by country according to DESI-2020 order
100 4.2 - Data Protection
4.2 - Audit
2 4.2 - Interoperability coordination

2 2
2 90 4.2 - Support
2 2
2 1 4.2 - Implementation
1 1 2 2 1
2 1 2 1
2 2 2 2 2 4.2 - Coordination
2 2 2 1 2 1 3 2
1 2 2 2 2 1 2
1 1 1 1 1 4.2 - Policy
1 1 2 2 1 2 1 2 1 2 2 1 2 2 2
1 1 2 2 2 2 1 2 2
2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 80 4.1 - Data Protection
2 2 2 2 1 2 1 1 1 2 1
2 2 2 2 2 1 2 2 2 1 2 1 2 1 2 2 2 2 2 2
1 1 1 1 1 1 4.1 - Audit
1 1 2 2 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 1
2 2 2 2 1 2 1 2 2 2 2 1 2 1 2 2
2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 4.1 - Base registry coordination
2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 1 2 1 1 2
2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 2 1 2
3 1 1 4.1 - Interoperability coordination
2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 2 2 2 2 1 2
2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 2 2 4.1 - Support
2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 2 2 70
2 2 2 2 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 3 1 2
2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 2 2 2 4.1 - Implementation
2 2 2 3 2 2 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
2 2 3 2 2 5 2 2 2 2 2 1 2 4.1 - Coordination
2 2 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 4.1 - Policy
2 2 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 4 2 2 2 2
2 2 2 4 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 Base registries
2 3 2 2 2 2 2 3 2 2 2 3 3 60
2 2 2 2 2 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 Cross-boarder platforms
2 2 2 2 2 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
2 2 2 2 2 2 3 2 2 Knowledge Management
4 2 2 2 2 2 3 2 2 2 2 3 2 2 2 2 2 3
2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 ePayment
2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 2 2 2 4 2
2 2 2 2 2 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
1 eProcurement
2 1 2 2 2 2 1 2 3 2 3 1 2 2 1 2 50
2 2 2 2 1 2 2 3 2 1 2 3 2 eID & Trust Services
2 2 3 3 2 2 3 2 2 3 2 2
2 2 2 2 1 3 2 1 3 2 1 2 2 2 2 2 1
3 1 2 1 2 2 2 1 2 Data Exchange
2 2 3 2 2 2 3 2 1 1 3 2 3 2 2 2 3 1 2
2 3 2 2 2 2 2 Networks
2 2 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
4 3 2 2 2 2 2 3 2 2 2
2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 Portals (National / Subnational)
2 2 3 2 2 2 3 2 2 2
3 7 40
2 3 2 2 3 2 2 3 6 2 2 2 2 2 2 Emerging technologies
2 2 1 2 3 3 3 1 2
2 1 3 2 5 4 3 2 4 3 3 2 2
2 2 2 2 2 4 2 Domain-specific legislation
2 3 1 2 2 2 2
3 1 3 5 1 1 2 2 1 2 3 2 3 2
1 3 3 1 3 - eProcurement
2 2 2 5 2 2 6 2 3 1 3 1 2 1
2 2 2 1 1 3 1 2 3 2 5 2 1
2 2 2 2 2 2 2 - Interconnection of base registries
2 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 2 1 3 2 2
1 30
2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 3 - Security aspects
2 2 2 2 2 2 1 2 2 2 3 2 2 3 2 2
2 2 2 2 3 2 3 2 2 2 - eID & Trust Services
2 2 2 2 3 2 2 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 3
2 2 2 3 2 2 2 2 2 2
2 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 2 2 2 1 2 2 - Access to public information
2 2 2 2 3 2 2 2 3 2 2
2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 Interoperability
2 2 2 2 2 1 2 2 2 2 2 1 2
2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 20
2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 Specific legislation on digital public
2 1 1 1 2 3 3 2 2 1 2 2 2 2 3 3
1 administration
2 2 2 3 2 2 1 2 2 2 2 3 2 1 4 2 Emerging technologies
2 2 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 3 2 1 2 2
2 2 2 2 2 2 3 2 2 2
2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 Domain-specific political communications
2 2 2 2 3 2 2 1 3 2 2 2
2 2 2 2 2 2 1 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 2
1 1 1 1 3 1 - eProcurement
1 2 2 1 1 2 1 2 2 1 2 1 2 2 2 1 2
2 2 2 1 1 2 1 2 2 1 2 1 1 2 1 2 1 1 10
2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 - Interconnection of base registries
2 2 2 1 2 2 1 2 1 2 1 2 2 1 2 1 1
2 2 2 3 1 2 2 1 1 2 2 1 2 1 2 2 1
1 - Security aspects
2 2 2 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 2 2 2
2 2 2 2 2 2 1 1 2 2 1 1 2 2 - eID & Trust Services
2 1 2 2 2 2 2 1 2 1 2 2 2 1 2 1 2 1 2
2 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 1 2
1 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 2 2 2 2 2 - Access to public information
3 3 3 4 3 4 3 3 4 3 3
2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 0 Interoperability
FI SE DK NL MT IE EE BE LU ES DE AΣ LT FR SI CZ LV PT HR HU SK PL CY IT RO GR BG Specific poilitical communications on digital

public administration
6
Aegean University – Digital Transformation & Innovative Public Services
7. DISCUSSION: JUXTAPOSITION WITH OTHER INDICATORS
7.1. DESI5- DIGITAL ECONOMY AND SOCIETY INDEX
Since 2014 the European Commission has been monitoring Member States’ digital progress through
the Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI). DESI 2020, includes a European-level analysis of
broadband connectivity, digital skills, use of the internet, digitization of businesses, digital public
services, emerging technologies, cyber security, the ICT sector and R&D spending and MS’s use of
Horizon 2020 funds. The index has taken account the latest technological developments such as
Fixed very high-capacity network (VHCN) coverage.
In conclusion, the above-mentioned factors constitute the criteria for the digital transformation
among the MS of EU27 and compose its policy content.
1. Connectivity
2. Human capital
3. Use of internet services
4. Integration of digital technology
5. Digital public services
Analysis of the DESI 2020 index for each country is presented separately in the annex according to
the reports, as well as a comparison of the DESI 2019 and 2020.
Figure 6: DESI-2020
In order to further analyze the ranking of Member States based on Analysis Framework of Digital
Transformation Strategy of EU27 MSs by Likert Scale (1-7) we created Figure 5 in which the ranking
5
Digital Economy and Society Index 2020 (DESI) reports are based on 2019 data. The United Kingdom is still included in the 2020 DESI, and EU
averages are calculated for 28 Member States. Tables of comparison of DESI 2019 & 2020 (Appendix)
of countries was done in the same order as the Member States in the ranking of the DESI-2020 in
Figure 6 for the purpose of comparison.
Observing and analyzing the ranking of the Member States among the above Figures 5 & 6, we
mainly see that Member States below the EU average in the DESI-2020, such as Greece, Portugal
and France, have a fairly significant degree of initiative according to the Digital Public Administration
Factsheets-2020.
While on the other hand, Member States like Ireland and Τhe Netherlands which are high in the
ranking of the DESI-2020 are ranked lower in the Figure 5 “Analysis of National Digital
Transformation Strategy of by countries”. These differences are a rather interesting element, the
study of which will be able to provide more data in the direction of comparing the efficiency of the
strategies for the digital transformation of the Member States.
7.2 . RELATED RESEARCH6 - STATE OF PLAY OF DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION OF PUBLIC

ADMINISTRATIONS – EU27
This section provides the results of the preliminary literature review that was conducted in the area
of digital transformation stategy comparisons among the MS in European Union. The literature
review was conducted to find previous comparison frameworks on both digital transformation
stategy and innovative public services. The documents that were collected in this process included
policy documents, actions plans, case studies, guidelines, legislations and government reports and
articles.
European countries promote the digitisation of their public administrations. They are harnessing the
benefits brought by digital technologies to modernise their operations at all levels. The application
of ICT greatly improves efficiency of public services and has a transformative effect on public service
delivery to citizens and businesses. The key progress they made is summarised yearly in the
eGovernment factsheets published by the European Commission.
The modernisation of public administration through the use of ICT is a vast undertaking, and
European countries need to have clear policy and legal framework, along with financing
programmes to support efficient action. 7
7.2.1 - Policy and legal initiatives supporting the transformation of the public sector
Political communications refer to any official document setting up the political priorities and
objectives of the country in the domain of digital transformation of governments, and the
recommendations or guidelines to achieve the policy objectives. It includes strategies, action plans
and frameworks. Most political communications address various aspects of eGovernment and
interoperability through the elaboration of broad digitisation strategies running up to 2020, such as
the Greek National Digital Strategy or the Portuguese ICT 2020 Strategy.
According to European Commission analysis confirms that 19 strategies were adopted or revised in
14 different European countries in 2018, which means that just under half of the total European
6
eGovernment factsheets anniversary report-DIGIT, ISA2 Programme
7
10egov Anniversary report -ISA2 (2019)
2
countries updated their digital strategies. Strategies are often accompanied by action plans and 11
of 34 European countries also worked on a digitisation action plan. This was the case of Croatia
which issued the e-Croatia 2020 strategy along with the Action Plan for e-Croatia. Other frameworks
guide the designing and implementation of digital policies such as the Polish National Framework of
Cybersecurity Policy which aims at raising the level of security in the cyberspace of the Republic of
Poland and identifying mechanisms and measures to strengthen Poland’s cyber security capabilities
by 2022.
To support the timely implementation of the digital strategies, financing instruments are needed.
Financing instruments encompass programmes, projects and financing plans of European
administrations aimed at providing public money to achieve the policy objectives set in the
strategies.
In some cases, to regulate different aspects of the digitisation or transformation of the public sector,
legal frameworks are developed by different European countries. A legal framework refers to the
set of laws implemented in a country during the past year that enable the implementation of
initiatives in the ICT domain.
Laws implemented in the European countries per digital government theme:
 37% - Infrastructure
 30% - Broad Legal Framework on digitisation
 16% - Data Protection
 12% - eGovernment and interoperability services
 5% - Cyber-security & Digital Trust
Source: analysis of the main legal framework presented in the ‘Highlights’ section of 2018 eGovernment factsheets
performed by Wavestone.
The year’s special focus on data protection is a consequence of the General Data Protection
Regulation approved by the EU Parliament in April 2016 and enforced in May 2018. The GDPR
guarantees more data privacy to the persons in Europe by regulating the automated processing of
their data.
More than a third of the above-mentioned legal instruments adopted in Europe in 2018 are related
to the deployment of eGovernment infrastructure. Out of these 16 digital government infrastructure
laws, 10 are related to eID infrastructure. The six remaining laws are spread between regulating
eProcurement, eSignature and eDocuments. The adoption of laws related to eID and eSignature is
largely due to the application of the eIDAS Regulation, since all European public organisation
delivering public services must be able to process electronic identification from September 2018.
Another area in which European administrations made a lot of significant efforts was in the
provision of enhanced eGovernment services to citizens and businesses. Cyber-security & Digital
trust is another priority of legal initiatives in the digital domain across Europe. This is due to the
Directive on security of network and information systems (NIS), which provides legal measures to
increase the overall level of cyber-security in Europe.
3
7.2.2 – The main eGovernment players at national, regional and local levels
Implementation of modernisation of public administration reforms takes place at national, regional

and local levels. In order to ensure smooth reform implementation, coordination and monitoring of
eGovernment and interoperability reforms, national governments have delegated responsibilities to
different actors, be it from dedicated ministerial departments or digitisation focused agencies, at
different national, regional and local levels.
7.2.2.1 – National level
Each public administration has delegated responsibilities to various actors for policy and strategy
setting in the country, along with the coordination, implementation, support, audit and data
protection in the domain of eGovernment. These responsibilities match the policy making cycle of
the modernisation of public administration in Europe.
Different countries, depending on their size, administrative structure and history have different
number of actors responsible for eGovernment. The number of institutions varies among different
countries. Spain (15), Estonia (14), Croatia (14) and Cyprus (13) have the largest number of actors
responsible for eGovernment and interoperability implementation. Countries like Poland (5), Latvia
(5) and the Netherlands (5) are on the other end of the spectrum. The median number of
institutions responsible for eGovernment in Europe is eight (8). There also does not seem to be a
link between the size of the country and the number of actors responsible for eGovernment, with
large countries, like Poland, having only five actors, and smaller countries, like Croatia, having 14
different actors.
More importantly, there is also a varying number of actors that are also responsible for each stage
of the policy cycle at the national level, namely:
 policy,
 coordination,
 implementation,
 support,
 audit and
 data protection.
It is important to note, that more often than not, one single body might be responsible for more
than one aspect of modernisation of public administration. In Spain, for example, the same twelve
bodies are responsible both for support and for the implementation of different eGovernment
initiatives. Similarly, more often than not, the same body is responsible for policy development and
coordination of eGovernment in the country. On average, it seems that most countries have a
similar number of actors dedicated to different aspects of eGovernment and interoperability policy,
with only few exceptions. On average every European country comprises two bodies that are
responsible for policy setting, three for coordination, two for implementation, three for support and
one for audit and data protection in public administrations across Europe.
It also seems that countries are increasingly moving to create dedicated government institutions
solely responsible for eGovernment oversight in the country. The recently created State
eGovernment agency of Bulgaria, or the Government IT centre in Luxembourg are responsible for
policy setting, coordination, implementation and support. In each MS, there is one central body,
which seems to be responsible at least for policy setting, coordination and implementation.
4
7.2.2.2 – Regional and local levels
It is important that in multiple European countries the responsibility for eGovernment policy setting,
coordination and implementation lies not only in the hands of the national but also regional and
local levels. In Belgium, for example, the political responsibility for eGovernment is held directly by
the Prime Ministers of the three regions: Flanders, Wallonia and the Brussels-Capital regional.
Similarly, in Germany each Länder has its own dedicated digitisation strategy.
In other countries, such as Austria, regional governments do not play such a direct role in setting
eGovernment priorities. Nevertheless, they still participate in policy setting and coordination by
participating in the ‘Digital Austria’ platform, headed by the Chief Information Office of Austria,
where they can contribute their views on the priorities of eGovernment in the country.
Furthermore, in countries like Denmark local governments are represented by the Local
Government Denmark, a national association of local authorities, which participates in the
eGovernment Steering Committees. Finally, in all countries local government authorities, such as
municipalities play in important role in implementing and supporting the deployment of
eGovernment initiatives.
7.2.3 – Progression of eGovernment services in Europe
One of the main goals of developing eGovernment is to improve the effectiveness of public services
delivery. Besides establishing strong legal and political frameworks and defining roles &
responsibilities of the key actors in charge of transforming the public sector in the national context,
a significant part of the recent progress of the public sector in Europe is the availability of digital
public services for citizens or businesses.
Digital public services in Europe:

According to the analysis of the DESI indicator performed by Wavestone, in the period 2014-2018,
the share of public services available to businesses and citizens grew respectively by 8 and 9% in the
28 European Member States. In 2018, 19, 6% and 18,5% of all the public services to businesses and
citizens are available online. The Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI) assess the digital
performance of Europe on various levels. The breakdown of this indicator allows us to have a rather
precise view on the digitisation of European Public Administrations.
The eGovernment Services for Businesses represent the share of public services needed for starting
a business and for conducting regular business operations that are available online for domestic as
well as for foreign users. The Online Service Completion on the other hand shows the share of the
steps in a Public Service life event that can be completed online.
Overall, the DESI index subpart which represents Digital Public Services comprising of eGovernment
(DESI_5) increased by 6% in the Member States between 2014 and 2018.
The increase in the number of public services available online is often realised through the launch of
eGovernment portals by European public Administrations. These portals gather various public
services online in the form of one- stop-shop. This is for instance the case in Austria with HELP.gv.at
and in Malta with Servizz.gov. According to the 2018 factsheets, a total of 24 eGovernment portals
offering a wide range of public services online were either launched or updated in 18 European
5
countries, meaning that more than half of the European countries recently revised or launched an
eGovernment Portal.
Moreover, many public services, which were on a paper form or required the citizens to go to a
public agency were made accessible online. For example, Poland launched a portal providing
multiple online services, including ID cards applications and notifications of ID loss. Before, this
service was not available online in this country.
Since public services are delivered throughout the whole lifetime of citizens and businesses, these
newly available online services are clustered to the main life-events of citizens and businesses.
Newly available online public services to businesses and citizens in Europe:
 74% - Services to Citizens (39: 15 Health, 6 Residence & other formalities, 5 Work &
retirement, 4 Education & Youth, 3 Justice, 2 Family, 2 Travel, 2 Voting)
 26% - Services to Business (14: Doing business, 2 Start &grow a business)
Source: analysis of the main eGovernment services presented in the ‘Highlights’ section of 2018 eGovernment factsheets performed
by Wavestone.
Around three quarters of these online public services are addressed to citizens and the remaining
quarter is addressed to businesses.
7.2.3.1 – eGovernment Services to Citizens
More than a third of the newly available services to citizens relate to health. These services include
but are not limited to ePrescription which was implemented in Czech Republic, Latvia, and extended
in Spain, and access to medical data by patients and medical staff with the Hungarian Electronic
Health Cooperation Service Space.
Provision of digital health services in Europe:

The eHealth component of the DESI indicator (5b1) has been very stable between 2014 and 2018.
Over this period, 18% of EU citizens have used health and care services provided online each year,
without having to go to a hospital or a doctor (for example, by getting a prescription or a
consultation online). Almost 50% of Finnish and Estonian citizens use eHealth services, while in
Denmark the percentage is slightly lower (42%).
According to Eurobarometer, 52% of all citizens would like online access to their medical and health
records. EU citizens are much more willing to share data on their health and wellbeing with doctors
and healthcare professionals (65%) than with companies (14%) or with public authorities even if
anonymised and for research purposes (21%).
On April 2018, the Commission issued a communication to the European Parliament and European
Council to complement the current achievements on the availability of health services online. It sets
out how the EU can help the Member States to improve cross border online public health services. It
proposes to build the necessary cooperation and infrastructure across the EU and in doing so,
helping Member States to fulfil their political commitment in these areas.
The remaining eGovernment services to citizens are spread between other life-event categories,
with a predominance of services related to ‘’Residence and other formalities’ and ‘Work and
Retirement’.
6
7.2.3.2 – eGovernment Services to Business
In addition to citizens, businesses are an equally important stakeholder group for public
administrations. In this regard, all European public administrations aim to provide digital public
services to the private sector to facilitate their operation and reduce the administrative burden.
Under the European Services Directive, each Member State must have an established Point of Single
Contact (PSC), which allows private sector entities to deal with different public authorities through a
centralised portal.
Furthermore, the Single Digital Gateway (SDG) Regulation recognises that in order to operate to
their full potential, businesses should be able to seamlessly access cross border digital public
services. To facilitate the provision of digital public services to businesses, the proposed regulation
puts forward the organisation of the services provided to citizens and businesses into life events.
This would significantly simplify the way businesses interact with their public authorities through the
PSCs.
Given the above, it is not surprised to see that in 2018, 14 new public services were made available
to businesses online across European countries. These services include but are not limited to making
information and certificates more accessible online thanks to the Italian “digital drawer of the
entrepreneur”, Greek Business portal and Czech web Business portal and supporting the
entrepreneurs in starting their business thanks to online companies’ registration in Sweden for
example.
7.2.3.3 – eGovernment infrastructure
The launch of online government services to citizens and businesses is conditional to the existence
of reliable supporting digital infrastructures. In other words, a safe digital identification system is a
prerequisite to launch a service such as a eHealth portal which allows citizens to access their medical
information for example. This section highlights the countries’ progress made in building strong
digital government infrastructures. They are clustered to the five CEF building blocks and two
additional building blocks that emerged from the data analysis: Government Clouds and
eDocuments.
Infrastructures supporting digital governments built in Europe:

 47% (15) - eID
 16% (5) - eDelivery
 9% (3) - eProcurement
 9% (3) - eSignature
 6% (2) – eDocuments
 6% (2) – eInvoicing
 6% (2) – Government cloud
Source: analysis of the main eGovernment infrastructures presented in the ‘Highlights’ section of 2018 eGovernment factsheets
performed by Wavestone.
eID: close to half of the infrastructure services recently implemented are related to digital
identification and trust services (eSignature). This is coherent considering the required application of
the European Regulation eIDAS. For example, Germany was the first member state to pre-notify the
commission of its eID scheme in accordance with the eIDAS regulation. The notification was
accepted and following the completion of the process, any German citizen who has activated the
7
eID function of their ID card will be able to use the services provided by other EU Member States
administrations online, using their German eID in a cross-border context.
eDelivery: infrastructure example is the Finnish “Palveluväylä”, which consist in a standard way of
transferring data between organisations to enable secure service packages to citizens, businesses
and authorities. It allows the users of the platform to access information from different registers and
the service providers to showcase their services to citizens, businesses and officials.
eProcurement: Romania is implementing a project aimed at consolidating e-Procurement solutions
for example. It results in implementing the eCertis services to align with the European public
procurement standards and directives.
Government Clouds: refers to governments using computing services (such as the storage of
documents, exchange of information or use of applications) which are on remote servers on the
internet to make public services available to citizens. For example, Estonia and Greece introduced
government clouds to improve the provision of eGovernment services, and to save costs. The
implementation of G-Cloud in Greece reflects the willingness to modernise the public sector under
the e-Government Action Plan 2014-2020 drawn up by the Ministry of Administrative
Reconstruction and under the National Digital Strategy prepared by the General Secretariat for
Digital Policy. The Estonian Government Cloud is also part of the Estonia 2020 strategy. It is built to
avoid duplication and increase cost effectiveness, as it promotes the use and reuse of data and
technologies.
eDocument: refers to the initiatives allowing to submit digital documents instead of paper
documents. They represent a step forward to modernisation and ease the administrative processes
since they remove the obligation to send paper documents. For example, Bulgaria implemented
RegiX tool which allow public administrations to retain and access personal data of citizens stored in
the registers, and therefore remove the necessity of providing paper documents to certify this
information.
8. CONCLUSIONS
Previous chapters have attempted to analyze digital transformation policies between Member
States and identify the main priorities of the 27 Member States' digital transformation strategies, as
well as to establish a framework for comparing digital transformation strategies initiatives by
country and by key component.
The analysis shows that the top ten priorities are Digital skills, Digital public services, Digital
economy, Research & innovation, Digital society, Data as a driver or growth in trade & industry,
Connectivity infrastructure, AI, Inclusion of all into digital, Cyber security and protection of human
rights and last Digital entrepreneurship/ Business.
Regarding the ranking of countries based on the initiatives implemented through the digital
transformation strategies, the following emerges: Α key conclusion that emerges is that in the policy
landscape of European countries, digital transformation policies take different shapes. The overall
results across the EU show broad diversity in the speed of transformation and in the priorities that
countries have set. These policies have common goals but differ in many aspects e.g., policy design,
funding approach, financial size and implementation strategies. Additionally, these policies focus on
the development of new technologies and also on the deployment and use in industry of existing
technologies.
8
In addition, an analysis was made of the results obtained from the framework for comparing
national digital transformation strategies by country and the DESI-2020 with the corresponding time
period. The countries were ranked in Figure 5 are in the same order as the countries in the chart of
the DESI-2020, Figure 6.
Carefully examining these two charts we find that:
 as in the DESI index and in the Analysis Framework (Table 5) the comparison can be made
both vertically by country, ie according to the individual factors, and horizontally between
the countries.
 although countries such as Greece and Italy have quite a large number of initiatives has not
yet been transformed into measurable results in order to improve their ranking according to
DESI
 In each case, according to the analysis framework, we can clearly see in which actions a
country excels or lags behind, both at country level and in comparison with other Member
States. For example, we see that most countries have created a lot portals
(national/subnational) and have had many Political Communications actions (Policy
objectives/key motivations, Social and political contexts, culture of government trust and
adoption of digital strategy) but lag behind in Interoperability and Emerging technologies.
The priorities set by each country for the digital transformation of the public administration are
guided by the EU policies, guidelines and eGovernment action plan but are also determined by the
particularities, peculiarities and needs of the business environment and society as a whole.
The global COVID-19 pandemic and the consequent crisis have put, digital technologies, into the
spotlight and have highlighted the need for actions. Furthermore, the need for social distancing has
accelerated the development and uptake of digital services at an unpresented acceleration. Digital
adoption either for citizens/consumers or businesses has been rocketed and a large share of the
workforce across Europe shifted to working remotely, e-commerce and use of delivery apps
skyrocketed, millions of pupils and students continued their studies through online education, and
governments rapidly developed new digital services to be able to serve citizens in times of social
distancing. Digital solutions have also played an essential role in the public health response.
Much of this change, and many of these new services, experiences and digital skills will stay in place
after the pandemic, according to experts. National policies should also be focused on removing
barriers on the operational level and policies for stimulating the use of innovative public services.
Policies and interventions that boost the digital transformation can hence also be an engine for
recovery, growth and increased global competitiveness: while in all cases, social and economic
consequences of the crisis will need to be alleviated, the countries that will take action sooner may
recover faster and better by establishing leadership in digital value chains. This can help Europe
spring back to prosperity, but could also lead to further divide between Member States. Hence,
prudent action coordinated at European level is relevant.
Reaping the benefits and addressing the challenges of the digital age requires narrowing the gap
between technological developments and public policies. Many policies are the legacy of the pre-
digital era and difficulties in understanding the changes underway and their implications may delay
the review and adaptation of these policies. Such an understanding is imperative as digital
transformation affects the entire economy and society.
9
There are additional questions such as how specific digital transformation strategy link with
qualitative outcomes (e.g., transparency) which need further research.
European countries are promoting the digitization of their public administrations, taking advantage
of the benefits of digital technologies to modernize their operations at all levels. The application of
ICT significantly improves the efficiency of public services and has a transformative effect on the
provision of public services to citizens and businesses. The modernization of public administration
through the use of ICT is a huge undertaking and European countries must have a clear political and
legal framework, along with funding programs to support the priorities set by each of them
individually and as members of the European Union.
Based on the European Commission’s strategy Shaping Europe’s Digital Future8 the transformation
can be guided by four objectives for a human-centric digital path for Europe:
 Building and deploying digital solutions for societal challenges and climate.
 Reinvigorating democracy, trust and diversity.
 Securing Europe’s digital technological sovereignty and cybersecurity and
 Boosting the economy and competitiveness.
Therefore, the goal is to create public value through digital public services that meet citizens ’needs,
preferences and expectations in an open, nearby, intelligent, integrated, efficient and reliable way.
In this way, the conditions are created for a more constructive and, above all, effective strategy for
the digital transformation and the innovative public services.
8
European Commission (2020). Shaping the Digital transformation in Europe.
10
9. REFERENCES:
1.Barcevičius, E., Codagnone, C., Klimavičiūtė, L., Misuraca, G., Exploring Digital Government
Transformation in the EU: Expert Consultation and Stakeholder Engagement, Publications Office of
the European Union, Luxembourg, 2020, ISBN 978-92-76-21064-1,doi:10.2760/621165, JRC121494:
https://joinup.ec.europa.eu/sites/default/files/document/2020-
08/jrc121494_digigov_stakeholders_engagement_report_def.pdf
2. Danish Ministry of Finance, Local Government Denmark and Danish Regions (2016), A STRONGER
AND MORE SECURE DIGITAL DENMARK, Digital Strategy 2016-2020
https://en.digst.dk/media/14143/ds_singlepage_uk_web.pdf
3.Deloitte Insights (2020). Government Trends 2020. Retrieved from

https://www2.deloitte.com/us/en/industries/government-public-services.html
4.Directorate-General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology, (2020) Greece in the
Digital Economy and Society Index 2020, DESI - Greece | Shaping Europe’s digital future (europa.eu)
5.Directorate-General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology, (2020) Austria in the
Digital Economy and Society Index 2020, DESI - Austria | Shaping Europe’s digital future (europa.eu)
6. Directorate-General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology, (2020) Belgium in

the Digital Economy and Society Index 2020, DESI - Belgium | Shaping Europe’s digital future
(europa.eu)
7. Directorate-General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology, (2020) Bulgaria in

the Digital Economy and Society Index 2020, DESI - Bulgaria | Shaping Europe’s digital future
(europa.eu)
8. Directorate-General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology, (2020) Croatia in

the Digital Economy and Society Index 2020, DESI -Croatia | Shaping Europe’s digital future
(europa.eu)
9. Directorate-General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology, (2020) Cyprus in the
Digital Economy and Society Index 2020, DESI - Cyprus | Shaping Europe’s digital future (europa.eu)
10. Directorate-General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology, (2020) Czechia in
the Digital Economy and Society Index 2020, DESI - Czech Republic | Shaping Europe’s digital future
(europa.eu)
11. Directorate-General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology, (2020) Denmark in
the Digital Economy and Society Index 2020, DESI - Denmark | Shaping Europe’s digital future
(europa.eu)
11
12. Directorate-General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology, (2020) Estonia in
the Digital Economy and Society Index 2020, DESI: Estonia | Shaping Europe’s digital future
(europa.eu)
13. Directorate-General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology, (2020) Finland in
the Digital Economy and Society Index 2020, DESI - Finland | Shaping Europe’s digital future
(europa.eu)
14. Directorate-General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology, (2020) France in
the Digital Economy and Society Index 2020, DESI - France | Shaping Europe’s digital future
(europa.eu)
15. Directorate-General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology, (2020) Germany in
the Digital Economy and Society Index 2020, DESI - Germany | Shaping Europe’s digital future
(europa.eu)
15. Directorate-General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology, (2020) Hungary in
the Digital Economy and Society Index 2020, DESI - Hungary | Shaping Europe’s digital future
(europa.eu)
17. Directorate-General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology, (2020) Ireland in
the Digital Economy and Society Index 2020, DESI - Ireland | Shaping Europe’s digital future
(europa.eu)
18. Directorate-General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology, (2020) Italy in the
Digital Economy and Society Index 2020, DESI - Italy | Shaping Europe’s digital future (europa.eu)
19.Directorate-General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology, (2020) Latvia in the
Digital Economy and Society Index 2020, DESI - Latvia | Shaping Europe’s digital future (europa.eu)
20. Directorate-General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology, (2020) Lithuania in
the Digital Economy and Society Index 2020, DESI - Lithuania | Shaping Europe’s digital future
(europa.eu)
21. Directorate-General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology, (2020)

Luxembourg in the Digital Economy and Society Index 2020, DESI - Luxembourg | Shaping Europe’s
digital future (europa.eu)
22.Directorate-General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology, (2020) Malta in the
Digital Economy and Society Index 2020, DESI - Malta | Shaping Europe’s digital future (europa.eu)
23.Directorate-General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology, (2020) Poland in

the Digital Economy and Society Index 2020, DESI - Poland | Shaping Europe’s digital future
(europa.eu)
24. Directorate-General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology, (2020) Portugal in
the Digital Economy and Society Index 2020, DESI - Portugal | Shaping Europe’s digital future
(europa.eu)
12
25. Directorate-General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology, (2020) Romania in
the Digital Economy and Society Index 2020, DESI - Romania | Shaping Europe’s digital future
(europa.eu)
26. Directorate-General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology, (2020) Slovakia in
the Digital Economy and Society Index 2020, DESI - Slovakia | Shaping Europe’s digital future
(europa.eu)
27. Directorate-General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology, (2020) Slovenia in
the Digital Economy and Society Index 2020, DESI - Slovenia | Shaping Europe’s digital future
(europa.eu)
28 Directorate-General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology, (2020) Spain in the
Digital Economy and Society Index 2020, DESI - Spain | Shaping Europe’s digital future (europa.eu)
29.Directorate-General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology, (2020) Sweden in

the Digital Economy and Society Index 2020, DESI - Sweden | Shaping Europe’s digital future
(europa.eu)
30. Directorate-General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology, (2020) The
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13
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10. APPENDICES
Appendix 1
1. Greece – Digital Transformation Strategy
National Digital Strategy
Greece is seizing the opportunities offered by the digital revolution to kick-start its economic
development, creating new jobs, enhancing the efficiency of public administration, eliminating
geographical and social exclusion, and strengthening inclusion of all citizens in the economic and
social life of the country.
The National Digital Strategy (EPSS) is the road map and framework for digital growth. The current
digital transformation strategy is based on seven main axes and pillars which are summarized in the
following priorities:
▪ Developing national next generation connectivity infrastructure
▪ Accelerating economic digitalisation
▪ Push the ICT sector for the development of the digital economy and
employment
▪ Strengthening of human resources with digital skills
▪ Fundamental review of the way Digital Services provide by government
▪ Removal of exclusions and diffusion of the digital economy benefits
▪ Strengthening security and confidence.
Total Market Value of ICT in Greece is 5.667 (in million euro) in 2019:
 3.811 (in million euro) Total Market Value of Telecommunications
 1.856 (in million euro) Total Market Value of ΙΣ
(source: EITO, ICT Market report 2019/20)
Since 2015, the Greek government has been drafting a strategy for reform in the public sector. The
government, in cooperation with the Ministry of Digital Policy, Telecommunications and
Information, recently announced a drastic transformation of the State, based on:
▪ Simplification of procedures through the assimilation and functional integration of
global change, especially in the field of new technologies
▪ Enhancing the efficiency of the services provided to citizens and businesses by optimising
management, qualification and allocation of the human resources of the administration and
▪ Strengthening of democracy, through the institutionalisation of meritocracy in staffing,
transparency in the functioning and updating of the relationship between the state and the
citizen.
The new policies will result in a drastic reduction in government operating costs and bureaucracy.
Therefore, the strengthening of the presence of digital processes in public administration will:
▪ Restrict personal transactions between citizens
▪ Guarantee objective procedures for all
▪ Speed up the handling of cases.
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By 2020, the state hopes to have made a significant contribution to the qualitative upgrading of
civil-state relations, gradually forming a collective, social footprint for the civil servant, and focusing
on efficiency, helpfulness, courtesy, equality and protecting the dignity of the public.
2. Austria – Digital Transformation Strategy
The “Digital Road Austria” was published in January 2017 - it was comprehensive but lacked
quantified targets and monitoring issues. In 2019, the Vision “Digital Austria in 2050” was started,
which will be the starting point for the overall digitisation strategy (“strategic action plan”). The
Vision aims to provide the necessary framework for the Digitalisation Strategy.
It will in turn consist of several strategic action plans focusing on selected priority topics. The
strategy is intended to harmonise many existing and replace partly outdated strategies (e.g. Digital
Roadmap). Adopting the digital transformation in selected priority topics (e.g. data, climate &
environmental protection, art & culture etc.) and improving user-centric, modern e-government
services are among the main topics within the upcoming strategic action plans. The stakeholder
consultation for the Austrian national artificial intelligence (AI) strategy, ‘Artificial Intelligence
Mission Austria 2030’, was completed.
The strategy process focused on seven policy fields:
1. Research and innovation
2. AI in the public sector
3. AI in the economy/industry
4. Society, ethics and the labor market
5. Infrastructure
6. AI governance, legal issues, safety and security, and
7. Qualification and training, and the Austrian Caretaker Government has approved the results
from this process.
In January 2020, the new government programme published announces digital strategies for
agriculture, tourism and railways. In 2019, the Austrian government adopted the Austrian
Broadband Strategy 2030, which replaced the “Broadband 2020” Strategy that is coming to an end.
This strategy has set ambitious targets to close connectivity gaps in especially rural areas. It aims to
provide full coverage of gigabit-capable connections throughout by 2030. The strategy sets specific
intermediate targets, such as providing country-wide availability of 5G by 2025. It envisages that full
coverage of ultrafast broadband connections will be provided by the end of 2020.
A threat seen is that the regulatory framework in Austria still needs to be better adapted to the
digital age. Many of the pillar-specific initiatives have been launched only within the recent past and
their real impact still needs to be seen. Austria must confront and overcome the challenges of digital
transformation in order to remain an attractive location for business. The federal government has
emphasised the importance of digital transformation for industry, society and public administration
and has given it high priority in the government programme.
3. Belgium – Digital Transformation Strategy
In 2019, new strategies and policy goals were adopted (e.g. DigitalWallonia4AI,) and existing ones
were updated. The Walloon Government validated the adoption of the Digital Wallonia strategy for
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2019-2024. The Parliament of the French Community adopted key legislation on the government
framework for the digital and information technology policy.The Steering Committee for Flemish
Information and ICT policy.
Managing digital transformation ranks high on the policy agenda both at federal and regional level
and detailed policy (strategies, action plans, initiatives, etc.) and financial instruments have been
adopted and put in place to frame and promote a wide range of actions all over the country.
The Belgian authorities have been working continuously on implementing several federal and
regional strategies put in place over recent years to advance the integration of digital technology in
economic sectors. Both EU and Belgian funds are being used for these purposes and innovation hubs
in all regions are actively involved in providing support for digital innovation and entrepreneurship.
Belgium continues to raise awareness of digital technology to boost the digital transformation of its
national and regional economy, taking into account the needs of SMEs and start-ups.
In 2019, major action plans and strategies (e.g., AI4Belgium, DigitalWallonia4AI, Flemish Artificial
Intelligence Action Plan) have been adopted to further the development in AI. In the field of
cybersecurity, similar initiatives have been put forward (e.g. Flemish Cybersecurity Action Plan),
underpinned by financial support measures. Wallonia was active in the Interreg Europe Cyber
project. Furthermore, the programme ‘e-logistics by Digital Wallonia’ was launched to help
businesses to optimise their supply chain.
The Brussels-Capital region continued to implement the Next Tech Plan to help the digital
transformation of businesses and the Regional Data Centre has moved to a new site. Flanders has
set up the Open Science Board and Wallonia has been active in the areas of ‘smart region’ and
‘smart agriculture’.
The Belgian start-up ecosystem continued to benefit from both financial and professional support
from dedicated programmes and bodies (e.g., Flemish Strategic Research Centers, W.I.N.G. in
Wallonia). Belgian authorities and universities worked together to facilitate collaboration, as well as
knowledge and innovation transfer with businesses.
Despite these efforts, skills mismatches still persist and prevent the full range of rewards being
reaped from the adoption of digital technologies.
4. Bulgaria – Digital Transformation Strategy
Guided by the strategic goals of the country for accelerated economic development, demographic
growth and reduction of social inequalities, set in the "National Development Program of Bulgaria
2030", by 2030 Bulgaria should build a functioning and secure environment to unlock the full
potential of digital technologies for the digital transformation of all key sectors, reaching the
average European values under the Digital Economy and Society Index DESI.
The goals of the country’s program are:
1. Deployment of secure digital infrastructure
Digital connectivity contributes to providing access to all major drivers of socio-economic
development, such as schools, hospitals, transport centers, major public service providers,
etc. The infrastructure that integrates physical and digital aspects is crucial to deliver the
next wave of innovation and economic growth.
2. Providing access to adequate technological knowledge and digital skills
Digitalisation has a crucial impact on society's transformation and related changes in the
labor market. The lack of competences in the field of information and communication
technologies (ICT) and the need to improve the technological knowledge and digital skills of
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the workforce is one of the most important challenges facing education and training systems
at all levels.
Both are needed to deal with this transition - the change in the education system and
adequate measures in the social sphere.
3. Research and innovation capacity strengthening
Digital technologies are a means to stimulate and support research and innovation and
define the shape of the future digital economy. Providing support for research organizations
focused on fundamental and applied research, start-ups and small and medium-sized
enterprises (SMEs) involved in the creation and implementation of innovative solutions and
technologies, as well as supporting and promoting the use of existing technologies and
innovation by these organizations is one of the main goals of the digital transformation
policy.
4. Unlocking data potential
The digital transformation should be built on a sustainable, competitive and human
resources-based data economy, in which data quality and respecting privacy are essential.
Linked & big data will be a main source which will feed the digital economy, including when
using smart technology tools with analysis and decision-making capabilities.
5. Digitalisation in favor of a circular and low-carbon economy

The digital transformation will strengthen the export orientation and competitiveness of the
economy and the transition to a circular and low-carbon economy. Enterprises should be
encouraged to contribute by modernizing their technological base, adapting their business
models to future changes, implementing the principles of sustainable development and
taking advantage of innovation based on digital technologies
6. Improving the public administration efficiency & the quality of public services
The digital transformation in terms of public administration will be focused mainly on the
transformation of processed and stored data into society's fundamental capital. Efforts will
be focused on reducing the number of administrative services and transforming them into
internal administrative ones, making the electronic interaction between citizens and business
with the state the main and preferred way, eliminating the use of paper documents at the
expense of electronic documents and increasing the maturity and trust of society in
electronic interactions.
5. Croatia – Digital Transformation Strategy
The e-Croatia 2020 Strategy presents an overview of the development of informatization and e-
services in the public sector and the goals of further development. The strategy was prepared in
accordance with the Digital Agenda for Europe (DAE) and in cooperation with all relevant public
sector bodies and representatives of the academic community, ICT industry, and citizens also
participated through a survey on satisfaction with public sector e-services.
The main goal of the Strategy is to ensure the connection of information systems of public
administration bodies from all sectors in a way that provides citizens with as many complex e-
services as possible and reduces the burden on citizens in interaction with public administration. The
activities will be implemented in accordance with the Action Plan for the implementation of the
Strategy and financed primarily from European funds and national funds.
The e-Croatia 2020 Strategy composed with the intention to enhance the quality of life of citizens in
the Republic of Croatia by raising the competitiveness of economy with the help of ICT, and using
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high quality electronic public services in line with the valid strategies and legislation of the Republic
of Croatia, EU directives and recommendations from the profession. The purpose of the Strategy is
to create strategic framework for a coherent, logical and efficient information system of the state by
providing high quality and cost-effective electronic services at both national and European level. It
also focuses on the insurance of interoperability between the current and the new ICT systems in
public administration, including the elimination of duplicated functionalities. The realisation of its
objectives will be measured on the basis of the percentage of citizens and companies using public e-
services as well as the user satisfaction level. In addition, the goal of the strategy is to provide a
strategic framework as a prerequisite for using available financial resources from EU funds.
The strategy covered the period of the financial perspective 2014-2020 and funds for information
and communication technology projects in the amount of 2.6 billion HRK, of which 1.8 billion HRK
from EU funds and HRK 800 million from national funds. For the period from 2020 onwards, it is
planned to spend funds in the amount of HRK 570m, of which HRK 486m from EU funds and HRK
84m from national funds.
Objectives of the strategy:
1.Improved business productivity of public administration through the use of ICT and
new skills within public administration and toward users
2.Enhanced quality of life of citizens through the use of e-services from efficient public
Administration
3.Improved communication between citizens and state administration, and transparency
of public administration through ICT use
4. Insurance of secure environment for the provision of public administration e-services;
5. Increased competitiveness of economy through the use of public administration e-
services and the digitization of business and integrated services of the chambers of
commerce for the purposes of employers and companies in the segment of micro,
small and medium-sized enterprises
6. Opening up space for ICT-based innovations in public administration through the
cooperation of public administration, scientific and business entities
7. Inclusion in the European Digital Administrative Space, and
8. Insurance of access to basic registers, databases and records in electronic form, electronic
submission of applications and issuance of public documents and data from basic registers,
databases and records
The e-Citizens system was established with the aim of modernizing, simplifying and accelerating
communication between citizens and the public sector, and increasing the transparency of the
provision of public services.
The e-Citizens system, in addition to the Central State Portal, which is a public part of the system,
also consists of a Personal User Box and the National Identification and Authentication System.
These components enable secure and advanced electronic communication with the public sector.
The personal user box enables the receipt of personal electronic messages of the public
administration and direct access to electronic services of the public administration, and is also
available as an application for smartphones.
The National Identification and Authentication System enables the use of electronic credentials for a
unique application for electronic services included in the e-Citizens system. To use electronic
services in the e-Citizens system, it is necessary to have one of the credentials (means of logging into
the system). Citizens can find a list of all electronic services Available e-services in the e-Citizens
system and a list of all messages in the Email List in the Personal User Inbox.
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The development of the e-Citizens system is coordinated by the Ministry of Administration, and the
partners are the Agency for Support of Information Systems and Information Technology (APIS IT
doo), in the development of the Personal User Box, and the Financial Agency, in the development of
the National Identification and Authentication System. The Ministry of Finance is in charge of
financing the e-Citizens system. In addition, other ministries and many other institutions are
involved in the development of the e-Citizens system: CARNet, SRCE, Croatian Health Insurance
Institute, Croatian Pension Insurance Institute, Croatian Employment Service, REGOS, Agency for
Science and Higher Education, Croatia tourist board, State Intellectual Property Office.
Various laws were adopted on digitalisation subjects such as on cybersecurity, electronic invoicing,
accessibility of web pages of public sector bodies, eBusiness and eCash. Additionally, new online
services for citizens and businesses include ePrescriptions, eHealth Record, eNewborn, eBusiness
and the START system.
6. Cyprus – Digital Transformation Strategy
The current ‘Digital Strategy for Cyprus’, which started in 2012 and was updated in 2015 and in
2018, is in line with the objectives and measures proposed in the ‘Digital Agenda for Europe’, and is
set to contribute substantially to economic growth and productivity.
The strategy focuses on digital literacy for all businesses and unemployed people, on involving all
citizens in lifelong learning programmes and on promoting digital education by using ICT to upgrade
and reform the educational process. It also covers e-inclusion issues, digital entrepreneurship and
public use of broadband and ICT services.
The Digital Strategy for Cyprus will help Cyprus to promote economic growth, increase of the
competiveness of the private sector and modernization of the public sector.
The objectives are:
Objective 1: Connect Cyprus
Objective 2: Modernize public administration and provide public electronic services
Objective 3: Inclusion of all (including vulnerable groups) into digital Cyprus
Objective 4: Education and Learning
Objective 5: Digital Entrepreneurship
Objective 6: ICT for the environment
Moreover, Cyprus applies some horizontal measures by introducing a comprehensive

communication plan to promote the Digital Strategy, raise awareness about the benefits of using ICT
and promote the existing egovernment services and digital literacy. The Cyprus Productivity Centre
launched an educational programme, urban and regional areas, to minimize digital illiteracy and
further promote the use of eGovernment services. The health system moved towards the cross-
border integration with the Law on eHealth 59 (I) / 2019. The IT infrastructure for eInvoice in Cyprus
was built, while eDelivery in Cyprus was implemented as a pilot to connect the municipalities with
the Union of Cyprus Municipalities. The Ministry of Finance is the initiator and facilitator of
eGovernment policy in Cyprus. Through the specialised government body Department of
Information Technology Services (DITS), eGovernment is promoted and implemented within the
public sector.
The new digital strategy, which is in the process of being developed, aims to achieve the digital
transformation of the public sector, to promote the digital transformation of the private sector, and
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to promote innovation in line with the country’s level of digital maturity. Cyprus has a cybersecurity
strategy in place since 2012.Cyprus is currently in the process of being implemented the new
“Cyprus Industrial Strategy Policy”. The Digital Security Authority has proposed a new cybersecurity
strategy, which is pending from the Ministry of Communication and the Council of Ministers.
The ‘Cyprus National Reform Programme’, published in 2015 and updated in 2018 and in April 2019,
is in line with the Commission’s ‘Annual Growth Survey’. A ‘Competitiveness Report’ will provide an
analytical tool to make a comprehensive assessment of Cyprus’ performance, facilitate dialogue
between public and private sectors and help drive the agenda for reform to boost competitiveness.
The Council of Ministers adopted the new ‘Cyprus Industrial Strategy Policy’ for 2019-2030 in May
2019, and it is currently in the process of being implemented. In January 2020, the government
approved a national strategy on artificial intelligence (AI). To steer implementation of the strategy,
Cyprus created a new Deputy Ministry of research, innovation and digital policy, established in
March 2020. The services for citizens and business include the TaxisNet system, an online system
which allows taxpayers to submit initial tax returns electronically, was improved to enhance users’
experience and automatically calculate tax The Ministry has the overall responsibility for the digital
policy and digital transformation of the country including e-government and research and
innovation.
The new digital strategy aims to achieve the digital transformation of the public sector, to promote
the digital transformation of the private sector, and to promote innovation in line with the country’s
level of digital maturity.
7. Czechia – Digital Transformation Strategy
Czech authorities started to deliver the steps planned in the national strategy for digitisation - Digital
Czechia (Digitální Česko ). The Digital Czechia programme focuses on digital economy and society.
The implementation plans adopted in 2019 contains 3 main pillars which cover 15 main goals
divided in 115 sub-objectives and included 808 actions, an annual budget of CZK 115 million (€4.5
million). The majority of these actions related to the digitisation of public administration and public
services.
“Digital Czechia" is a set of concepts and implementation plans ensuring the preconditions for the
long-term prosperity of the Czech Republic in the environment of the ongoing digital revolution.
"Digital Czechia" covers three main pillars (partial concepts / strategies), which form one logical unit
with a large number of internal links, but at the same time reflect in the structure the focus on
different beneficiaries as well as differences given by the current legislative definition:
1. The Czechia in digital Europe
2. Information Concept of the Czech Republic, (Digital Public Administration)
3. Digital economy and society concept
The main reason for dividing the material into three pillars / sub-concepts is to include all areas that
form a prerequisite for the successful digitization of the Czech Republic.
The country has introduced a new national strategy for artificial intelligence (AI). It is intended to
support research, stimulate international cooperation, help industry, businesses and public
administration to integrate AI solutions, provide relevant skills to people and assess the impact of AI
on the economy and society. The strategy deals with ethical, legal, security and social aspects of the
AI as well. The overall objective is to make Czechia a model European country for AI.
According to plan about Services for Citizens and Businesses, new services on the Citizen's Portal
include obtaining the driver's ranking listing, preview of the cadastre, access to the patients' medical
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accounts and submitting requests for information. Businesses can obtain an extract from the Trade
Register and have a single registration form.
Amendments to digital government legislation include the Acts on electronic identification, public
procurement, cybersecurity and base registers. In late 2019, the Czech Parliament adopted a law
giving the public the right to access nearly all public services electronically. The government has
proposed introducing a 7% digital tax on revenues of global tech companies generated in Czechia.
This bill is being discussed in the Parliament and is likely to lower the value of the tax.
8. Denmark – Digital Transformation Strategy
With the “Strategy for Denmark’s Digital Growth”, the Government is taking the next steps to make
Denmark a future digital frontrunner. The strategy is based, among other things, on
recommendations made in May 2017 by the Digital Growth Panel and consists of 38 initiatives
through which the government aims to intergrades the use of new technologies, enhance the digital
skills of Danes to be equipped for the future digital economy and to improve growth and prosperity
in country.
The Government implements a broad strategy within six main strategic focus areas:
1. Digital hub for stronger digital growth
2. Digital enhancement of SMEs
3. Digital skills for all
4. Data as a driver of growth in trade and industry
5. Agile regulation of trade and industry
6. Strengthened cyber security in companies
With a political agreement from February 2018 called ‘Initiatives for Denmark’s Digital Growth’, the
government has allocated almost DKK 1 billion (approximately €134 million) until 2025 to the
implementation of the strategy.
Since May 2018, Denmark has its own ‘Danish Cyber and Information Security Strategy 2018-2021’.
The aim of the strategy is to improve cyber and information security in a number of sectors,
including telecommunications, healthcare and transport.
In March 2019, the government launched the ‘National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence’. The aim
of the strategy is for Denmark to be a front-runner in the responsible development and use of
Artificial Intelligence (AI), to benefit individuals, businesses and society as a whole. The National
Strategy for Artificial Intelligence puts emphasis on an ethical approach to artificial intelligence.
Hence, Denmark will have a common ethical and human-centered basis for artificial intelligence.
The government continuously monitors the status of the initiative’s threefold objectives:
to support the digitisation of trade and industry,
to provide the best conditions for the digital transformation of businesses and
to ensure that Danes are the most digitally prepared and secure citizens in the
European Union.
The Danish government implemented the General Data Protections Regulation (GDPR) in May 2018.
The Danish Data Protection Authority oversees the regulation with both planned and ad hoc reviews
of data controllers and data processors.
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Denmark signed off on a new digital identity solution, MitID, which will replace the NemID-solution
in 2021. The development of the system will take place in a partnership between the State and
Finance Denmark, the Danish Bankers Association.
Denmark launched the My Overview Programme that provides citizens with a better overview of
their cases and benefits, as well as easy access to the information the authorities have about them,
thus strengthening transparency in the public sector. There is an equivalent programme to create an
overview for business.
The Agency for Digitisation which is part of the Ministry of Finance, is the catalyst for digital
development in Denmark.
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9 Estonia – Digital Transformation Strategy
The general objective of the Digital Agenda 2020 for Estonia was set based on a vision of
information society which holds that the uptake of ICT must allow Estonia to achieve the strategic
objectives set forth in the “Estonia 2020” competitiveness strategy and the sustainable
development strategy “Sustainable Estonia 21”.
The strategy does not deal with the uptake of ICT in different walks of life and policy areas such as
implementation of ICT in healthcare or private enterprise. Instead, the point of departure and
general objective is the development of a mature and secure environment for the widespread use
and development of smart ICT solutions. The overarching aim is to use ICT to support economic
competitiveness and to achieve a rise in people’s well-being and effectiveness of public governance.
The Digital Agenda’s main goal is: Creation of well-functioning and secure environment for using and
creating ICT solutions in Estonia and includes more detailed sub-objectives in two fields:
development of information society and increasing cyber security.
The first sub-field - Development of information society includes:

 Connect ions and telecom market
 State information system
 Smart public governance
 ICT skills
 e-Estonia export and media
The second sub-field - Development of cyber security includes:

 Sustainable digital society
 Cyber security R&D & business
 International cooperation and leadership
 Cyber literacy
The most important activity areas in the Digital Agenda are the following:
 By 2020, the ultra-fast broadband fibre optic cable network will be completed and steps will
be taken for growth in the availability of last-mile connections.
 The Estonian 5G activity plan will be developed and implemented to stimulate the
establishment and uptake of next-generation wireless communication networks in Estonia.
 As the next leap in the quality of public e-services and user experience, "invisible“and
proactive event services will be developed to make public services as simple and efficient as
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possible for users. People must be able to get things done in one interaction, intervening
only if prompted by the government, if at all.
 The plan is to raise the capability of the public sector for using data analytics and research,
including upgrading the relevant awareness and skills.
 The adoption of artificial intelligence applications in the public sector will begin: a relevant
activity plan will be developed and implemented and pilot projects of so called “kratt” will be
carried out.
 With data volumes increasing and widespread cross-use of data, people must have control
over the use of their data. Technological and organizational and legal conditions will be
created so that people will know and be able to specify who uses the data in the hands of the
state, when it is used, and for what purposes, so that among other things, they can allow
their data to be used more easily (e.g. for research and developing new services).
 New measures and initiatives will be launched for ensuring the supply of ICT specialists
(including broadening in-depth ICT studies at general educational schools) and acquisition of
higher ICT skills in traditional sectors of the Estonian economy.
 The main pillars of national cyber security capacities will be strengthened and the readiness
of the state and private enterprises to cope with cyber incidents will be increased: the cyber
security baseline standard will be updated, the state’s competencies in the field will be
consolidated, more effort will be placed into raising cyber awareness of citizens, steps will be
taken for early detection of data security needs in service development and IT development
(the so-called security-by-design and privacy-by-design principles).
 Innovation in the field of e-governance and cyber security will be accelerated: more piloting
of projects will be carried out, and new ways of involving private companies in product
development; reuse of data and existing solutions will be developed, and greater support will
be given to research and development (especially in the field of cyber security), among other
activities.
 The uptake of digital identity and services among foreign nationals will be promoted – the e-
Residency programme will be expanded.
Services for citizens and business include digital registrar option now available at digilugu.ee and at
hospitals. It allows for the possibility to book ambulatory appointments, pay bills, view and cancel
registered ambulatory appointments.
The eesti.ee portal, the gateway to government information and eServices has been renewed.
The general responsibility for implementation of all activity areas will lie with the Ministry of
Economic Affairs and Communications. Other ministries and institutions, including agencies in the
jurisdiction of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications, will be responsible for specific
activities contained in the activity areas. Relevant roles and division of labor is covered in the
strategy’s implementation plan and will be set forth in the strategy programmes.
The steering body for implementing the strategy is the e-Estonia Council, and with regard to the
cyber security sub-area and strategy, the Cyber Security Council.
10. Finland – Digital Transformation Strategy
Finland has been ranked as one of the leading countries in several digital transformation related
assessments. Digital transformation enables speeding up the development of innovative responses
not only to local economic and societal challenges, but for reaching the Sustainable Development
Goals.
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Digital Finland Framework supports effective coordination of sustainable digital transformation in

Finland. The Framework combines key perspectives together:
1) The digital innovations exploiting the benefits of platform economy and the transformation
of the spearhead industry sectors
2) Seamless support for sustainable digital transformation
3) Responses to global megatrends and sustainable development goals
The Finnish government uses direct capital funding and regional grants to support various digital
projects by local authorities in 2018-2022 with €400 million, linking that investment to the Digital
Finland Framework.
Recent action includes identifying priority areas (clean-tech, bio economy, ICT and health) to focus
investment on technology-intensive sectors with the potential for upscaling.
The Digital Finland Framework aims to ensure world’s best innovation and business environment for
companies seeking to develop innovative products, services and solutions to challenges ranging
from those in everyday life to meeting the Sustainable Development Goals.
The government programme ‘Productive and innovative Finland: a digital agenda for 2011-2020’ is
the overarching document that guides all government activities from 2015-2020 with 5 strategic
priorities, one being ‘digitalisation, experimentation and deregulation’.
Key objectives include:
i) opening up access to public data and its efficient use,
ii) promoting user-oriented service development,
iii) securing the position of older people as active citizens, and
iv) promoting sustainable development by adopting new technologies.
It establishes a growth environment for digital business operations, services and business models
with a strong focus on big data and robotisation as well as information security. There is no push for
regional digitalisation agendas from the national level although some regions have introduced their
own digital agendas, supporting broadband coverage and digital skills development. Digital
programmes are drawn up and implemented on the municipal level too e.g., Helsinki, Tampere.
Various new legislations have recently come into force in Finland on the subject of digital
government: Act on Providing Digital Services; Act on Secondary Use of Health and Social Data; Act
on e-Invoices. The law on a new Digital and Population Data Agency has been approved and the new
Agency will start in the beginning of 2020. The new e-Authorisations service verifies a person's or
organisation's autorisation to use digital services. The Artificial Intelligence Programme was
launched, with the aim of steering Finland towards the age of AI, taking into consideration measures
reaching far into the future and at the same time measures that are relevant today.
11. France – Digital Transformation Strategy
France has embarked on a comprehensive drive for sustainable and inclusive digital transformation.
Underpinning this drive is France’s investment plan (Grand Plan d’Investissement) 2018-2022, which
aims to:
(i) accelerate the ecological transition,
(ii) create a skill-based society,
(iii) foster competitiveness and innovation, and
(iv) achieve the digital transformation of the public sector.
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Specifically, to building the digital state funding will be allocated as follows:

 4.4 billion euros to increase the agility of the State and improve the quality and accessibility
of public services. The Big Investment Plan aims to make 100% of public services electronic
(excluding the issuance of identity cards) and must lead to a lasting reduction in public
spending by 2022
 4.9 billion euros to accelerate the digitisation of the health and social cohesion systems. The
aim is to develop multidisciplinary health centers in areas where there is a shortage of
doctors, modernise hospital equipment and support medical research.
In addition, in May 2019, France adopted a measure to stimulate business creation and growth,
including through digitalisation, which is the PACTE law (Plan d’Action pour la Croissance et la
Transformation des Entreprises). PACTE – Action Plan for Business Growth and Transformation is a
new step in France’s economic transformation. Its aim is clear: liberated companies that are better
funded, more innovative and fairer. The Action Plan will provide companies with the resources they
need in order to innovate. It will enable researchers to set up companies with the minimum of
difficulty and simplify patent filing procedures for SMEs.
The PACTE is the result of dialogue and co-construction. 626 companies and institutions were
consulted in order to collect proposals from stakeholders in the field. On the basis of such
consultations, the Government submitted 31 proposals to France’s citizens, each of whom could, if
they so wished, express their view and put forward fresh proposals by taking part in the online
public consultation. It was this “mobilisation of the collective intelligence” that led to the emergence
of “concrete measures that will have a direct impact” on the life of companies.
12. Germany – Digital Transformation Strategy
The German government shapes the digital revolution by put together a package of measures which
is summed up in an implementation strategy. The aim is to further improve the quality of life for
everybody, to develop economic and environmental potential and to ensue social cohesion.
The Digital Strategy embraces five fields of action:

1. Digital Skills. Government’s aim is everybody to be able to make use of the opportunities
afforded by digitalisation. They are to play an active and self-reliant part in shaping digital
change and are to be enabled to deal responsibly with the risks involved. Therefore, more
services are to be made available across the boards and the education system is to be
geared even more to digital technology in everyday life, to the digital working and
economic world and to the digital knowledge society.
2. Infrastructure and Equipment. Effective infrastructure is the keystone of the society,
particularly digital networks. Without them the citizens, business and public authorities
will not be able to use the advantages of digital change. Probably, they are needed in
urban and in rural areas. The aim is for “everyone to have a connection everywhere at all
times”. The special importance and the vulnerability of digital infrastructure calls for
security and special protection.
3. Innovation and Digital Transformation. The force to shape change and create something
new is a precondition for underpinning sustainable prosperity and social cohesion in
Germany, Europe and the world in the long-term. The German government aims to ensure
that technology and innovations are in line with the legal framework and the values of
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Germany and Europe. It is vital Germany become better at taking excellent technical
research and using it to make and market excellent technological products in Germany and
in Europe, and to set international standards with these.
4. Society in Digital Change. People must be at the heart of all of the government’s
considerations and projects, even in the digital era. Whether people are open to
digitalization, or have concerns and fears, or whether they have to date been entirely
indifferent to the digital world: digital transformation is to improve the lives of the people.
The government aims to bring the country together and move it forward, safely and
securely.
5. Modern State. Authorities should make people and company’s lives easier not more
complicated. That is why the German government wants to make dialogue with the
authorities and requests for services simple and secure for everyone. To this end, by the
end of 2022, all of the services offered by authorities will be offered online.
13. Hungary – Digital Transformation Strategy
Hungary adopted the National Info-communication Strategy 2014-2020, in 2014. It started

implementing it in 2014, and continued with the adoption of the Digital Success Programme
(‘Digitális Jólét Program – DJP’) at the end of 2015 and the Digital Success Programme 2.0 in 2017.
The Digital Success Programme has been managed by the Ministry for Innovation and Technology
since 2019. Since 2017, it has developed several specific strategies, such as digital education, digital
start-ups, digital exports, 5G deployment, artificial intelligence (AI), digitisation in the agriculture
sector, fintech and e-health. It is currently developing a digital strategy for the food and beverage
industry, and is building aspects of digitisation for various sectoral strategies such as construction,
tourism and logistics. A large number of projects, many of which are jointly financed by the EU, are
in place to implement the strategies. The Superfast Internet Programme aims to deploy high-
capacity fibre broadband in underserved areas. The EDIOP 6.1.2 programme on bridging the digital
skills gap targets the working age population, while the development of community internet access
points helps
Hungary’s National Infocommunication Strategy 2014-2020:
 Strategies concerning the use of information and communication technology including
broadband policies fall under the responsibility of the Minister of State for
Infocommunication in the Ministry of National Development
 The Governmental Information Technology Development Agency (KIFÜ) is a publicly financed
institution, which operates independently nationwide under the direction of the Ministry of
National Development. The agency manages IT projects dealing with central public
administration and guided by the Government, e.g., the Superfast Internet Program and acts
as national Broadband Competence Office (BCO).
 The National Media Infocommunications Authority (Nemzeti Média- és Hírközlési Hatóság)
provides regulation concerning fixed and wireless electronic communications and is also
responsible for the wireless broadband strategy.
 The Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Hungary is responsible for eGovernment issues.
 Cabinet Office of the Prime Minister oversees the development of the information and
communication technologies in Hungary. The Cabinet Office started the Digital Success
Programme as an umbrella for digital transformation of Hungary. The programme intends to
be in line with the Gigabit Society objectives.
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Main aims for broadband development:

The National Infocommunication Strategy 2014-2020 includes major actions for broadband
development, supported by state aid as well as by private investments. A development programme
is to cover the whole country with NGA, providing state aid for the economically less attractive,
primarily rural, areas.
The service providers will build about 400.000 connections investing own capital. The Superfast
Internet Program includes these two major elements. Another direct involvement of the
government is managing the construction and maintenance of a national backbone network in order
to offer improved services. The strategy aims at the development of both, an optical cable based
backhaul network and national wireless broadband coverage. A high priority is also given to the
improvement of fast internet connections for the public institutions in rural areas. The white and
grey areas are the most critical ones from a financing and implementation point of view.
Long term NGA aims were 100% coverage with 30 Mbps by 2018 and 50% household penetration
with 100 Mbps by 2020. The strategy updated in 2020 to include the Gigabyte Society targets and
formulate the 5G strategy. The strategy will also establish long-term targets for 2030 in Hungary.
14. Ireland – Digital Transformation Strategy
Digital transformation continues to be one of the core economic policy issues in Ireland. This is
reflected in the various policy initiatives in 2019.
The Irish government set out its vision for the economy in Future Jobs Ireland 2019, which was
intended to be the first in a series of annual reports. The document provides a pathway to make
sure that Ireland succeeds in the global economy. Digitisation is addressed under the major pillars of
the framework, among other things promoting innovation and embracing technology, increasing the
productivity of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and strengthening and transforming the
skills base.
Future Jobs Ireland will deliver the required policy reforms to enhance productivity, create
quality and sustainable jobs, and build a resilient, innovative, open and globally connected
economy, capable of coping with technological and other transformational changes the
economy will face.
The pillars identified for Future Jobs Ireland 2019 are:
1. Embracing Innovation and Technological Change
2. Improving SME Productivity
3. Enhancing Skills and Developing and Attracting Talent
4. Increasing Participation in the Labor Force
5. Transitioning to a Low Carbon Economy
As for specific digital strategies, the Irish Industry 4.0 strategy was launched in December 2019 and
set out the key ambitions for helping the manufacturing sector embrace digital technologies. The
vision underpinning this strategy is that by 2025 Ireland will be a competitive, innovation-driven
manufacturing hub at the frontier of the fourth industrial revolution and at the forefront of Industry
4.0 development and adoption.
Goals of Ireland’s Industry 4.0 Strategy:

1. To stimulate firms to adopt and build capability in Industry 4.0 technologies.
2. To stimulate firms to harness the new opportunities enabled by Industry 4.0
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technologies.
3. To become a global leader in RD&I which underpins Industry 4.0.
4. To facilitate the current and future workforce to develop the skills to deliver the
Industry 4.0 transformation and exploit the new opportunities arising in
manufacturing and supply chain firms through Industry 4.0 technologies.
5. To establish a world class business environment for Industry 4.0 which is underpinned
by an appropriate regulatory, legal, standards, and internationally connected
ecosystem.
The development of both an updated national digital strategy and a new artificial intelligence
strategy are at an advanced stage. In addition, work is underway amongst local authorities to
develop local digital strategies for municipal regions. These overall strategies are complemented and
followed up with specific measures and actions, for example the €300 million Human Capital
Initiative to increase the supply of high-level ICT skills or €100 million for innovative technological
investments under the Disruptive Technologies Fund.
Ireland also made progress in critical public infrastructure investments under the National
Broadband Plan: in November 2019, the government signed a contract to implement a public
investment in future-proof broadband networks in rural Ireland, with an indicative budget of €2.6
billion.
15. Italy – Digital Transformation Strategy
In 2019, there was a heightened focus at political level on boosting the digitisation of the Italian
economy and society. The year was marked by the launch of new initiatives and notably the
establishment of a new Ministry for Technological Innovation and Digitisation, acting as coordinator.
In December 2019, the ministry presented the strategy ‘Italia 2025’, a five-year plan that puts
digitisation and innovation at the center of a ‘process for the structural and radical transformation
of the country’.
The pace of implementation of major projects to help digitise the public administration increased
significantly in 2019. A new ‘Three-Year Plan for Information Technology in Public Administration’
set out a comprehensive list of targets for the next few years, with the objectives of promoting the
digital transformation of the Italian administration and driving the uptake of digital technologies.
Regarding the digitisation of businesses, the government renewed the National Plan ‘Enterprise 4.0’
and launched ‘Transition 4.0’, with a stronger focus on innovation, green investment and
participation of SMEs. In addition, in March 2020, the government launched the National Innovation
Fund with an initial budget of €1 billion and operating on the basis of Venture Capital
methodologies, to support investment in innovative enterprises.
Lastly, in 2019, the government started work on two national strategies, one on Artificial
Intelligence (AI) and another on Blockchain, with the support of groups of experts from industry,
academia and social partners.
The policy of National Strategy on AI provides a long-term strategy for a sustainable development. It
presents key objectives to increase the development and competitiveness of AI in Italy:
 Improving AI-related skills and competences at all education levels and creating lifelong
learning and reskilling opportunities for the labor force.
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 Fostering AI research and innovation to enhance the competitiveness of the entrepreneurial

ecosystem.
 Establishing a regulatory and ethical framework to ensure a sustainable and trustworthy AI.
 Supporting (international) networks and partnerships.
 Developing a data infrastructure to fuel AI developments.
 Improving public services through a wider adoption and use of AI applications.
As per funding, the Italian government dedicates €1 billion of public investments by 2025 for the
strategy implementation. The high-level working group expects that the public investments will
create a leverage effect on private investments of the same amount, resulting in a total investment
volume of €2 billion.
16. Latvia – Digital Transformation Strategy
The current Latvian Digital Agenda Strategy dates back to 2013, when the Latvian government
approved the Information Society Development Guidelines for 2014-2020. The guidelines cover ICT
education and skills, internet access, modern and efficient public administration, e-services and
digital content for society, cross-border cooperation for the digital single market, ICT research and
innovation, and trust and security. Many plans and projects are in place to implement the strategy.
In 2020, the government adopted the ‘Public Service Development Plan 2020-2023’. This plan sets
the policy strategy for years to come and reinforces digital public services by enhancing:
 proactive service provision,
 user-centricity built around key life events,
 coordinated and integrated approach in service design,
 cross-border services,
 digital-by-default and
 digital-first principles.
Overall, the plan continues promoting the use of ICT as a tool to build a knowledge-based economy
and to improve the overall quality of life.
The digital transformation affects all sectors of the economy and everyday life, work and
communication. To address the challenges, Digital Transformation Guidelines have been developed
2021-2027 (Guidelines), which determines Latvia's digital transformation policy, covering the period
from 2021 to 2027 with the aim of identifying areas in which action is required and is planned, as
well as to mark the further action required, the implementation of which depends on the feasibility
of doing so on the basis of future budgetary and other financial instruments uses.
Latvia's National Development Plan for 2021-2027 further digitization development is identified as a
cross - cutting element for all sectors, especially in areas such as innovation and science, education,
health, an inclusive society and the labor market, infrastructure, regional development, security, and
the environment and energy. In turn, Digital Europe in program, digitization is highlighted as a cross-
cutting facilitator. Digitization Integration into sectoral policies will be both a challenge and a major
challenge in all the above areas development-enhancing element.
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17. Lithuania – Digital Transformation Strategy
Lithuania’s digital strategy, the Information Society Development Programme for 2014-2020, was
adopted in 2014 and amended in 2017. The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Innovation have
responsibility for this strategy in cooperation with other relevant governmental bodies.
The strategy covers all areas of the digital economy and society:
 digital skills,
 digital content in the Lithuanian language,
 investments in high-speed broadband
 e-government
 use of open public data and innovative e-service creation
 security, reliability, and interoperability.
This strategy aims to reduce the digital divide, improve quality of life for Lithuanians, and make
companies more efficient.
To help achieve the strategy’s goals, the government has developed an interinstitutional action plan.
This plan is updated every year with financial targets and key performance indicators to be achieved
by 2022. The most recent update took place on 10 December 2019.
Lithuania’s digital strategy is complemented by the 2018 national cybersecurity strategy and the
2019 Artificial Intelligence (AI) strategy.
To strengthen the ecosystem for start-ups and SMEs, the Ministry of Economic Affairs is currently
developing a proposal for a €900 million investment fund that would allow the government over the
course of 20 years to contribute up to 0.14% of GDP in funding, which would be further leveraged by
private capital.
18. Luxembourg – Digital Transformation Strategy
In October 2018, Luxembourg set up a new Ministry of Digitisation, headed by the Prime Minister,
the Minister for Digitisation, and the Minister-delegate for Digitisation. It is in charge of all matters
of digitisation and coordinates initiatives developed by other ministries and partners on digitisation
and on e- Government.
One of the top priorities is to provide more e -Government services in collaboration with the CTIE
(Centre des technologies de l’information de l’État ) in order to foster the modernisation of public
administrations and improve the daily life and administrative processes of citizens and businesses in
country. In 2019, Luxembourg brought in new digital government services such as online payments
of standard files, registration for electoral polls and online applications to vote by post. Businesses
can now apply online for a business permit and for certification of Luxembourgish documents to be
used abroad.
In September 2018, Luxembourg adopted a law on transparent and open administration. The
purpose of the new law is to provide the framework for implementing a policy on access to citizens’
administrative documents held by government departments, municipalities, local authorities and
public institutions, placed under the supervision either of the State or of the municipalities.
The new Ministry of Digitisation’s central coordination role has the potential to lead to major
improvements on digital public administration. Continued work to create further digital public
services is fundamental to complete the process of modernising the public administration.
The priority areas of the eGovernment Action Plan 2016-2020, based on specific indicators. These
indicators are clustered within four main top-level benchmarks:
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▪ User Centricity – indicates the extent to which a service is provided online, its mobile
friendliness and usability of the service (in terms of available online support and feedback
mechanisms).
▪ Transparency – indicates the extent to which governments are transparent about (i) the
process of service delivery, (ii) the responsibilities and performance of public organisations and (iii)
the personal data processed in public services.
▪ Cross-Border Mobility – indicates the extent to which users of public services from another
European country can use the online services.
19. Malta – Digital Transformation Strategy
Malta has continued to emphasise the role of digital policies as key to shaping its competitiveness.
The National Digital Strategy 2014-2020 (Digital Malta) is the general framework guiding
government action in the digital field.
Digital Malta is built upon three vertical strategic pillars with clear goals to:
 Improve the wellbeing of Citizens and civil society. Everyone, including vulnerable and
minority groups, will benefit from a higher standard of living. Basic digital skills will empower
citizens to seize opportunities presented by technology and digitisation. Digital services will
be affordable, secure and accessible to all regardless of skill and economic means. Local
digital content will be encouraged.
 Transform the way Business operates. Digital Malta will increase competitiveness and boost
the attractiveness of local industry. It will promote more start-ups, attract foreign
investment, enable strategic alliances, encourage angel investment and nurture niche service
providers. Business will be encouraged and supported to exploit (i) the opportunities of the
European Digital SingleMarket, (ii) Malta’s strategic location in the Mediterranean, with
ready access to the European and North African markets, (iii) Government’s strategic
alliances with foreign ICT organisations, (iv) opportunities to expand into new or bigger
markets.
 Enhance the delivery of Government. Better application of digitisation will result in reduced
bureaucracy, increased efficiency and transparency. The public service will be closer to civil
society and enterprises, improving the government’s decision-making processes. Open
Government and eDemocracy will be facilitated. On-line government services will be more
accessible through the use of smart devices and mobile-friendly applications as well as
websites and social media. Government’s technological capabilities will be widened to
include opensource, cloud computing and big data concepts. Information sharing across
government systems and services will be promoted, as will be the re-use of public sector
information by third parties.
Malta also launched a blockchain strategy and regulatory framework in 2018, and several new
strategies in 2019:
(i) a national strategy on Artificial Intelligence (AI)
(ii) a comprehensive ‘National eSkills Strategy’ and
(iii) ‘Mapping Tomorrow’, a new strategic plan for the digital transformation of the public
administration.
35
The implementation of these strategies continued and built on various initiatives started in 2019 on
digitisation of business, digital skills and improvement of e-government services and m- services.
Another 2019 achievement is related to cybersecurity, where a new scheme was introduced to help
businesses strengthen their capacity against cyber-attacks. Finally, a National Data Portal enabling
access to government data in a number of fields has been launched.
20. Poland – Digital Transformation Strategy
The new strategy of Poland: The Digital Competence Development Programme (Program Rozwoju
Kompetencji Cyfrowych), targets development of digital skills and is coordinated centrally by the
Ministry of Digital Affairs. The Polish Ministry of Digital Affairs is the main governmental body
responsible for policy setting and coordination in digital government.
Legislation The new programme will focus on digital skills needed by citizens, ICT specialists and for
employees of SMEs and public administration.
The new Operational Programme Digital Poland for 2021-2027, co-funded by European Regional
Development Fund, is also being prepared. The strategy will include among others:
 support for broadband infrastructure
 e-services (e-government and e-health)
 basic and advanced digital skills
 upskilling and re-skilling and
 skills needed for the future.
The aim of the programme is to strengthen digital foundations for the national development.
According to the Partnership Agreement (PA), those foundations include: common access to a high-
speed Internet, effective and user-friendly public e-services and a continuously rising level of digital
competences of the society.
In November 2018, a document on the Assumptions for the Strategy of Artificial Intelligence in
Poland was published. Poland adopted the Act on the National Cyber Security System. It concerns
measures for a high common level of security of network and information systems across the Union.
The Gov.pl portal was established to ensure all official, public matters for Polish citizens. Services for
citizens and business include among others a Mobile School ID and Mobile Student ID giving access
to timetables for instance, of registered schools and universities.
21. Portugal – Digital Transformation Strategy
Portugal continues implementing the national initiative on digital competencies INCoDe.2030.

Timely implementation and upscaling of the projects are fundamental to attaining the objectives, as
well as to continuing the promotion of public-private collaborations.
The Programme relies on the “Digital Competences” concept in a broader manner: the ability to
access digital media and ICTs, understand and critically assess contents, and communicate
effectively (digital literacy), as well as the production of new knowledge through research, which
involves processing information, and communicating, interacting with and producing digital content.
It has three main goals:
• Promote digital literacy for all, to guarantee the full exercise of citizenship and inclusion in
a society with increasingly dematerialized practices and in which many social interactions happen on
the Internet and are increasingly mediated by electronic devices
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• Stimulate employability and skills training and professional specialization in digital

technologies and applications, to respond to the growing market demand and to promote the
Qualification of employment in a higher value – added economy
• Foster new knowledge in digital areas and ensure a strong participation in international
R&D&I networks.
In parallel, Portugal launched the second phase of the Indústria 4.0 national strategy for the
digitisation of the economy with €600 million in total funding over the next 2 years. This phase has
three main objective lines:
i) Capacitar i4.0 to reskill, upskill and train more than 200,000 workers
ii) Generalizar i4.0 to promote digital transition in more than 20,000 companies and
iii) Assimilar i4.0 to scale up more than 350 projects.
In addition, Portugal supported the launch of the programme ComércioDigital.pt. In addition, two
relevant strategies on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and advanced computing have been launched. Both
are strongly focused on improving advanced digital skills.
One of the new government four strategic challenges is building up a digital society. The Secretary of
State for Digital Transition under the Ministry of Economy and Digital Transition monitors the
implementation of the inter-ministerial measures of this challenge.
The Minister of the Presidency and of Administrative Modernisation is responsible for the
modernisation of public administration and eGovernment. The ePortugal portal, launched in
February 2019, replaced the Citizen Portal as the main channel for accessing digital services of the
public administration. Portugal signed the Digital 9 (D9) charter in November 2018, thus integrating
into network of advanced digital nations. Services for citizens and business include among others
the Mobile Medical Electronic Prescription (PEM Mobile) – launched in February 2019 – and is a
mobile application that allows the physicians to perform medical prescriptions using their
smartphones.
22. Romania – Digital Transformation Strategy
In February 2015, Romania adopted its National Strategy on the Digital Agenda for Romania for 2020
(SNADR) setting out four areas of action.
The Digital Agenda for Europe 2020 has the following structure:
1. Pillar I - Digital Single Market - allows free cross-border access to online services and
entertainment.
2. Pillar II - Interoperability & Standards - allows the integration of devices, applications, data
and services needed for cross-border interaction.
3. Pillar III - Trust and Security - increasing the confidence of Internet users in electronic
services and online transactions, in order to stimulate the consumption of ICT services.
4. Pillar IV - Fast and ultra-fast Internet access - aims to invest in broadband infrastructure in
order to benefit from the latest electronic technologies and services.
5. Pillar V - ICT Research and Innovation - stimulates adequate funding to increase the
competitive advantage in the field of ICT.
6. Pillar VI - Increasing the level of digital literacy, skills and inclusion - builds a bridge to the
digital divide for all consumers, so that they can benefit equally and fully from the benefits of ICT
services.
37
7. Pillar VII - The benefits of ICT for EU society - focuses on the capacity of ICT to reduce
energy consumption, support the assistance of the elderly, revolutionize health services and provide
better public services.
There have been two government decisions adopted recently that will affect the electronic
communications sector and digitalisation in Romania.
Firstly, Government Decision No 89/2020 of 28 January 2020 provides for the organisation and the
functioning of a new body, the Authority for the Digitalisation of Romania (ADR). The ADR, under
the coordination of the Prime Minister, takes over the Ministry of Communications and Information
Society’s activities and structures in the field of information technology, information society and the
national interoperability framework.
The ADR has the following responsibilities:
(i) Drafting the action plans in the IT domain
(ii) Organizing and coordinating the implementation of the eGovernment and
eAdministration projects
(iii) Coordinating the public policies for ensuring the interoperability of the IT system of the
public administration;
(iv) Monitoring and evaluating the IT systems of the central public administration in order to
achieve the strategic objectives those systems are supporting
(v) Supervising and coordinating of all nation-wide government programs for IT
infrastructure and services.
Under the new act, the Secretary-General of the Government will implement government policy on
cyber security. The act also sets out at national level the strategies and public policies in the field of
cyber security. In addition, the National Institute for Research and Development in Informatics (ICI)
– the institute that manages the .ro internet domains – was transferred to the coordination of the
Secretary-General of the Government.
Secondly, Government Decision No 90/2020 of 28 January 2020 creates the Ministry of Transport,
Infrastructure and Communications which will have responsibilities for policy development in the
area of electronic communications and the implementation of policies related to electronic
communications infrastructure.
23. Slovakia – Digital Transformation Strategy
In 2019, Slovakia adopted a new Strategy for the digital transformation of Slovakia 2030. This
strategy lays down a longterm vision and aims to guide the economy, society and public
administration through the technological change. The goals are also to stimulate smart regional
development and help researchers and innovators to keep the pace with global trends.
The basic mission of this strategy is not only to achieve a significant increase of Slovak involvement
in the European digital single market but, above all, to prepare Slovakia for a general digital
transformation of its economy and society.
The vision of the digital transformation of Slovakia until 2030 has been defined as the success of the
digital transformation of Slovakia in finding a balance to satisfy needs and priorities in a new
arrangement of five areas that will undergo a fundamental digital transformation:
 Economy,
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 Society and education,

 Public administration,
 Territorial development,
 Science, research and innovations.
In order to achieve this arrangement, it is necessary to use both, domestic innovation potential,
local sources and energy as well as global sources from the commercial environment, such as cloud
services that are developing in a fast pace and that are being optimised based on actual experience
and quantity of data with which they work. Equally, it is necessary to continue in the build-up of the
information infrastructure that is the basis for development of the information society and modern
services for citizens and entrepreneurs. While developing innovative entrepreneurial environment
and supporting start-ups in Slovakia, it will be necessary to pay adequate attention to strengthening
of private investments in the form of risk capital. Furthermore, this type of financial support will
ensure that starting entrepreneurs will be interested in doing business in Slovakia and contribute, by
their activities, to the development of the digital and innovative economy. Such setting will enable
faster accomplishment of desired results, their relevance and, above all, sustainability of solutions.
Measures that can be implemented from 3Q 2019, with their implementation expected by 2Q 2022,
are measures designed for the short-term horizon. Their funding is linked to the 2014-2020
programming period. Measures for the short-term horizon will become the basis for the Digital
Transformation Action Plan of Slovakia for 2019-2022, which will be directly related to the Strategy
for Digital Transformation of Slovakia by 2030. Within the short-term horizon, three assumed
priority areas have been identified based on the initial situation of Slovakia and the global and
European priorities they will form the basis of the concrete measures of the Digital Transformation
Action Plan of Slovakia for 2019-2022:
The strategy aims to reach its objectives through the related Action plans. The first one for the years
2019-2022 lists four main objectives:
 digital transformation of schools,
 conditions for a data-based economy,
 innovating public adminisration and
 support for the development of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
The anticipated priority areas of actions for the long-term horizon of the strategy cover all the
selected sectors of digital transformation in Slovakia – Economy, Society, Public Administration,
Territorial Development, Science, Research and Innovation − thus comprehensively covering the
digital transformation of the most important components of the country. The implementation of the
long-term horizon is expected from 3Q 2022 to 4Q 2030, i.e. after the implementation of the Action
Plan for Digital Transformation of Slovakia for 2019-2022, which will include a short-term horizon, is
finished. In 2022 at the latest, a review and countdown of the implementation of the Action Plan for
Digital Transformation of Slovakia for 2019-2022 will take place. It is precisely on the basis of this
Action Plan, as well as upon the global direction and priorities of the EU, that the Action Plan for
Digital Transformation of Slovakia for 2022-2030 will be identified.
24. Slovenia – Digital Transformation Strategy
Slovenia is implementing the Digitalna Slovenija 2020 strategy adopted in March 2016. Together
with the Slovenian Industrial Policy (RISS - Research and Innovation Strategy of Slovenia and SIP),
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Digital Slovenia is one of the three key sectoral strategies with guidelines for the creation of an
innovative knowledge society. The strategy covers all areas of life and development: public services,
entrepreneurship, households and education.
Slovenia’s vision is to take advantage of the development opportunities of ICT and the accelerated
development of the digital society the Internet to become an advanced digital society and a
reference environment for the introduction of innovative approaches to the use of digital
technologies.
The goals of the strategy for the realization of the development vision are:
• raising general awareness of the importance of ICT and the Internet for the
development of society,
• sustainable, systematic and focused investment in the development of the digital
society
• general digitization according to the principle of digital by default
• competitive digital entrepreneurship and the digitalised digital growth industry
• intensive and innovative use of ICT and the Internet in all segments of society
• high-speed open internet access for all
• an inclusive digital society
• secure cyberspace
• trust in cyberspace and protection of human rights
• Slovenia -a reference environment for the introduction of innovative approaches in
the use of digital technologies
Slovenia is currently drafting an all-inclusive artificial intelligence strategy and updating the strategy
Digital Slovenia . In November 2019, UNESCO decided that Slovenia should host the International
Research Center for Artificial Intelligence at the Jožef Stefan Institute in Ljubljana.
25. Spain – Digital Transformation Strategy
Digital transformation strategy will foster the country's digital transformation by guaranteeing
digital connectivity, the roll-out of 5G, increased cyber-security capabilities, the digitalisation of
public administration services and companies, especially SMEs, promoting Spain as an audio-visual
production hub, developing the data economy and artificial intelligence, and guaranteeing digital
rights for citizens. It also provides for the development of driver projects to digitalize the productive
model in strategic sectors.
Spain policy in digital transformation based mainly on ten strategic priorities:
1. Digital connectivity. Guaranteeing suitable digital connectivity for the entire population in
order to foster the eradication of the digital gap between different rural and urban areas
aimed at ensuring that the entire population has access 100 Mbps coverage by 2025.
2. Continuing to lead the roll-out of 5G technology in Europe and incentivizing its contribution
to an increase in economic productivity, social progress and regional structure.
3. Strengthening digital skills in employees and the population in general. A particular emphasis
will be placed on labor market needs and closing the digital gap in education. The goal is for
80% of people to have basic digital skills by 2025 and for half of them to be women.
4. Strengthening Spanish cyber-security capabilities. It seeks to provide 20,000 specialists in
cyber-security, artificial intelligence and data by 2025 through the business activity
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represented by the National Cyber-Security Institute (Spanish acronym: INCIBE), among

other things.
5. Promoting the digitalization of public administration services, especially in such key areas as
employment, justice and social policies, by updating technology infrastructures. By 2025,
50% of all public services will be available via a mobile app, and relations between the public
and companies or public authorities will be simplified and personalized.
6. Accelerating the digitalization of companies, with a particular focus on micro-SMEs and start-
ups. The goal is for at least 25% of SME business volume to come from e-commerce by 2025.
7. Accelerating digitalization of the productive model through digital transformation driver
projects in strategic economic sectors, such as agri-food, mobility, health, tourism, trade and
energy, among others. These projects seek to reduce CO2 emissions by 10% by 2025 due to
economic digitalization effects.
8. Improving the attractiveness of Spain as a European audio-visual platform for generating
business and jobs, with the target of increasing audio-visual production in Spain by 30% by
2025.
9. Transitioning to a data economy, guaranteeing safety and privacy and harnessing the
opportunities offered by artificial intelligence in order for at least 25% of companies to use
artificial intelligence and big data within five years.
10. Transitioning to a data economy, guaranteeing safety and privacy and harnessing the
opportunities offered by artificial intelligence in order for at least 25% of companies to use
artificial intelligence and big data within five years.
Furthermore, Digital Spain 2025 seeks to contribute towards closing the various digital gaps that
have widened in recent years, whether that be for socio-economic, gender, generational, territorial
or environmental reasons and that have been highlighted during the pandemic. This mission is
aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and the United Nations 2030 Agenda.
26. Sweden – Digital Transformation Strategy
In 2017, Sweden adopted a digitisation strategy with the overarching goal of making Sweden the
world leader in harnessing the opportunities offered by digitisation. In order to progress, it is
important to link the strategy to specific policy instruments and concrete targets, action plans,
budget lines and clear responsibilities.
According to the government, state authorities, municipalities and county councils must strive to be
the best in the world to use digitalisation to create a simpler everyday life for individuals
andcompanies, an efficient public sector with high quality, as well as more jobs and increased
growth. the government requires both long-term business development with digital solutions and
an increasingly innovative and collaborative management that puts the user at the center.
The digitization strategy describes a vision for digitization in Sweden, both overall and for the sub-
objectives of the strategy. The government expresses, among other things, that “in Sweden,
relevant, determined and legally secure efficiency and quality development take place through
digitization”.
Digital management goes into the other sub-goals of the digitization strategy. The sub-goal digital
management is about:
 Governance - Clear division of responsibilities and mandates as well as processes and
organizationalstructure that supports the work exists.
 Measurement - Quantifiable and timed goals.
 Analysis - Knowledge generation to understand and identify efforts.
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 Follow-up - Transparency through regular inspections and evaluationsof activities as a

basis for accountability and learning.
 Commitment - Visibility and vision for the digitization area manifested throughgoals,
strategies and actions.
Several of the areas under digital management concern the public sector and how to address them
digitization and create conditions both in the public sector and for other actors. The five areas that
stand out in digital management are:
1. Clearer state leadership in change.
In the strategy, the government points to several reasons for clear state leadership. To achieve the
goals inthe strategy needs to increase the pace of reform and legislation that unnecessarily hinders
digitizationadapted.
2. Simplification through digitization.
According to the government, state authorities, municipalities and county councils must strive to be
the best in the world to use digitalisation to create a simpler everyday life for individuals
andcompanies, an efficient public sector with high quality, as well as more jobs and increased
growth. According to he government requires both long-term business development with digital
solutions and an increasingly innovative and collaborative management that puts the user at the
center.
3. Continuous analysis of digital maturity and need for action.
According to the strategy, digital maturity is about the ability to identify new solutions such as
made possible by digitization, assessing their relevance and developing and using them. The
is also about having an ability to drive and lead development with the support of digitalisation.
4. Governance towards a resource-efficient society with the help of digitalization.
The use of digital services can contribute to the sustainable use of natural resources and a
circular and bio-based economy by replacing products with services, certain uses are
specified or that it will be easier to reuse or share products. In this way, climate
and environmental impact is reduced and digitalisation contributes to achieving the Swedish
environmental goals.
5. Strengthened local and regional involvement.
Political leadership is of great importance for successful local and regional development digitization
work. Successful implementation of the national digitization strategy is based on the fact that local
and regional measures can strengthen implementation and thus create one clear and collective
commitment to digitization issues. For some municipalities and county council’s regional
collaboration with others can be crucial in order to take advantage of the opportunities through
digitization and to manage their commitments in an increasingly digital society.
The areas are connected. Governance towards a resource-efficient society, for example presuppose
both a continuous analysis of digital maturity and the need for measures as well as a strong one
local and regional involvement.
Most public organizations, including the Government Offices, authorities, municipalities andregions
are organized by different subject areas - for example, the different ministries inGovernment
Offices-. At the same time, there is a structure with a national, regional and local level. Issues related
to digitalisation exist in all subject areas and at all levels. Need for skills linked to strategic work with
digitization, policy and business development and service development are therefore everywhere.
Digitization is changing ways of working and behaviors that change rapidly due to or with technology
support. Because digitization is horizontal and cuts through several subject areas simultaneously
division of responsibilities can be a challenge. Coordination and cooperation are required to keep it
together overall development and get a resource-efficient implementation of policy efforts.
Digitization can therefore is not considered as a separate phenomenon but is a current issue
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everywhere. For example, it hangs together with law, technology, social and behavioral knowledge,
economics and organizational science with more. It creates complexity, not only when implementing
actions but also when deciding efforts must be made. Managing assignments around digitization
therefore largely requires teams with different skills and perspectives. Surely, digitization is not an
end in itself but needs to be seen as a means. This means that coordination, cooperation and
learning at all levels are important.
At the overall level, the digitization strategy and its five sub-goals set the direction for government
digitization policy. The digitization strategy describes areas that need prioritize to achieve the goal
of being the best in the world at using digitalisation possibility.
The strategies that link to sub-goals in the digitization strategy include:

• Information and cyber security strategy
• The democracy strategy - Strategy for a strong democracy - promote, anchor, defend
• Smart industry - a new industrialization strategy for Sweden
• The strategy for school digitization
• The Government's strategy for standardization
• Broadband strategy
• Vision e-health 2025 (not formally a strategy)
• National focus on artificial intelligence (not formally a strategy)
• With the citizen at the center - The Government's strategy for a digitally cooperating
state administration.
There are also a number of other strategies and policy documents that breakdown and to some
extent concretize some of the areas of the strategy. They span wide areas where digitization is not
in itself the goal. According to the government digitization can also be part of an overall "conversion
strategy".
27. The Netherlands – Digital Transformation Strategy
The review and update in mid-2019 of the Dutch Digitalisation Strategy -first adopted in 2018-,
confirms the clear political commitment to taking action to reap the benefits of digital
transformation. The accompanying strategies in key areas such as lifelong learning, Artificial
Intelligence, digitisation of business are clearly based on a transparent and accountable approach to
maximise the buy-in of all stakeholders.
Priorities are:
 Artificial intelligence.
The Netherlands aims to lead the international field in human-centred AI by design, applying AI
solutions to resolve a broad range of societal challenges. The government will be forming alliances
and fast-tracking AI development in an effort to realise these ambitions and maintain our
international competitiveness. The government supports and endorses the guidelines established in
the EU’s recent communication on ‘Ethics guidelines for trustworthy AI’.
 Applying data to resolve social issues and stimulate economic growth.

The availability and responsible application of data will be crucial in ensuring a successful digital
transition. Demand for data has skyrocketed due to the rise of AI. The government aims to capitalise
on the economic and societal potential of data in a responsible manner.
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The government has access to large amounts of data. Growing volumes of high-quality data are
being actively shared with businesses and knowledge institutions in open data format. A growing
amount of real-time sensor data is also becoming available through APIs.9 If conventional data
sharing proves difficult to arrange, the potential for other forms of data sharing will be assessed in
accordance with the proposals in NL DIGITAAL.
 Digital inclusion and skills.

The government aims to ensure that no one is left behind in our digitising world. This applies to both
the labour market and broader society. Digitisation will have a profound impact on jobs and the
knowledge and skills required. Current positions and tasks will change or disappear, as possibilities
for new and better work emerge.
 Digital government.
The government launched NL DIGIbeter – the Digital Government agenda – in July of 2018. All tiers
of government and numerous executive organisations are currently implementing measures to
make the Dutch digital government more accessible, personalised and easy to understand. .
Furthermore, our innovation efforts should always be based on respect for public values and basic
rights.
 Connectivity
A new generation of digital connectivity has arrived in the form of 5G. This new technology offers
great potential, from ultra-fast mobile broadband to connectivity for large numbers of objects (IoT)
and applications (such as selfdriving vehicles) requiring a high standard of connectivity.
Developments such as the introduction of 5G and efforts to connect remote areas to the fibre optic
network will require both major investments by market parties and significant government efforts.
The more effective our approach, the sooner we can reap the rewards of good digital connectivity
and strengthen the Netherlands’ competitive position. The government is currently assessing safety
risks on the basis of a threat analysis in order to safeguard security during the implementation
process.
 Digital resilience
The government aims to improve the Netherlands’ digital security, ensuring that businesses and
citizens can rely on the safety of digital technologies and services. According to the latest threat
analyses, the digital domain is facing a growing number of vulnerabilities and threats. Cyber threats
are developing rapidly, as state actors increasingly focus on industrial and political digital espionage
and make preparations for digital sabotage. The number of countries working to develop a digital
offensive capability is growing, as attacks become increasingly complex. Ongoing digitisation may
disrupt the balance between safety, freedom and economic growth.
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Appendix 2
6. Tables: Digital Public Administration Factsheets 2020
EU28 Digital Public Administration Factsheets 2020
1. Governance – European Union [Policy & Coordination – Implementation – Audit/Assurance]
2. Political Initiatives for Digital Public Administration in EU
Political Initiatives for Digital Public Administration:

Shaping Europe’s Digital Future
White Paper on Artificial Intelligence: a European approach to excellence and trust
An SME Strategy for a sustainable and digital Europe
Action Plan for Better Implementation and Enforcement of Single Market Rules
A new Industrial Strategy for a globally competitive, green and digital Europe
European Data Strategy
Digital Single Market Strategy for Europe
EU eGovernment Action Plan 2016 – 2020
Open Government
Local and Regional Dimension of the EU eGovernment Action Plan 2016-2020
Cross-Border Regions
Once-Only Principle
User-Centricity
Digital Transition Partnership under the Urban Agenda for the EU
The Tallinn Ministerial Declaration on eGovernment
Interoperability Action Plan supporting the implementation of the revised European Interoperability Framework
European Commission Digital Strategy
Building a European Data Economy
Digitising European Industry
European Cloud Initiative
ICT Standardisation Priorities for the Digital Single Market
Open Source Strategy 2014-2017
Other relevant EU political initiatives:

A Strategy for eProcurement
European Cloud Computing Strategy
European Multi-Stakeholder Platform on ICT Standardisation
Common Assessment Model Standards and Specifications (CAMSS)
Interoperability Maturity Assessment of a Public Service (IMAPS)
EU Catalogue of Standards for ICT Procurement
ISA² Core Vocabularies
3. Legislative Instruments for Digital Public Administration in the European Union
Legislation on Digital Public Administration:

Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council Establishing the Digital Europe Programme for
the Period 2021-2027.
Interoperability:
Directive 2006/123/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 December 2006 on Services in the Internal
Market
Key enablers:
Access to public information:
Directive (EU) 2019/1024 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 June 2019 on open data and the re-use of
public sector information.
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Regulation (EU) 2018/1724 Establishing a Single Digital Gateway to Provide Access to Information, to Procedures, and to
Assistance and Problem-Solving Services.
Regulation (EU) 2018/1807 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 November 2018 on a Framework for the
Free Flow of Non-Personal Data in the European Union
Directive 2007/2/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 March 2007, Establishing an Infrastructure for
Spatial Information in the European Community (INSPIRE)
eID and Trust Services:

Regulation (EU) No 910/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 July 2014 on Electronic Identification
and Trust Services for Electronic Transactions in the Internal Market and Repealing Directive 1999/93/EC.
Regulation (EU) No 211/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 February 2011 on the Citizens’
Initiative
Security aspects:
Directive (EU) 2016/1148 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 6 July 2016 Concerning Measures for a High
Common Level of Security of Network and Information Systems Across the Union.
Regulation (EU) 2018/1725 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2018 on the protection of
natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data by the Union institutions, bodies, offices and agencies
and on the free movement of such data, and repealing Regulation (EC) No 45/2001 and Decision No 1247/2002/EC.
Interconnection of base registries:

Directive 2012/17/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 June 2012 Amending Council Directive
89/666/EEC and Directives 2005/56/EC and 2009/101/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council as Regards the
Interconnection of Central, Commercial and Companies Registers.
eProcurement:
Directive 2014/24/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 February 2014 on Public Procurement and
Repealing Directive 2004/18/EC.
Directive 2014/55/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 April 2014 on Electronic Invoicing in Public
Procurement.
Accessibility:
Directive (EU) 2016/2102 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 2 December 2016 on the Accessibility of
Websites and Mobile Applications of Public Sector Bodies
4. Digital Public Administration Infrastructure
Trans European Services for Telematics between Administrations (TESTA)

GÉANT
Common Communications Network/ Common Systems Interface (CCN/CSI)
5.Cross Border Services for Citizens and Businesses
Life and Travel (for citizens):

Travel, Work, Vehicles, Residence formalities, Education and youth, Health, Family, Consumers
Doing Business (for businesses):
Running a business, Taxation, Selling in the EU, Human Resources, Product requirements, Financing and Funding, Dealing
with Customers.
5. Funding programmes for Digital Public Administration in the EU
Digital Europe Programme

The Connecting Europe Facility (CEF)
Horizon 2020
European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF)
European Regional Development Fund and Cohesion Fund
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European Social Fund Plus (ESF+)
Structural Reform Support Programme (and Service)
ISA² (Interoperability Solutions for European Public Administrations) programme
Justice Programme
Greece Digital Public Administration Factsheets 2020
1. Governance - National & Subnational (federal, regional and local)
2. Political
Specific political communications on digital public administration:

National Digital Strategy - NDS (2016-present)
Strategy for Digital Growth 1014-2020
Strategy for eGovernment 2014-2020
National Programme for Process Simplifications (NPPS)
Four National Action Plan on Open Government 2019-2021
Interoperability:
e Government Interoperability Framework
Digital Authentication Framework
Certification Framework for Public Administration Sites and Portal
Interoperability and Electronic Services Provisioning Framework
Key enablers:
Access to public information – Di@vgeia Programme (Cl@rity)
eID and Trust Services – Cross checking process
Security aspects – National Cybersecurity Strategy
Interconnection of base registries - no
eProcurement – Ministerial Decisions on Procurement
Domain-specific political communications:
Single Digital Map
National Action Plan for Gender Equality (NAPGE) 2016-2020
Emerging technologies:
MoU of Understating on Cooperation and the Exchange of Best Practices in the field of Distributed Accounting
Technology.
Declaration on Cooperation on AI.
3. Legislation
Specific legislation on digital public administration:

Law “I invest in Greece and other provisions”
Ministry of Interior regulations, digital governance provisions, pension arrangements and other urgent issues
Law on eGovernment
Law on Urgent Measures to address the Consequences of COVID-19 and the Risk of Spreading
Law on the Unified Mobility System in Public Administration and Local Government
Law on the Democratisation of the Administration
Interoperability:
No legislation has been adopted in this field to date.
Key enablers:
Law on Web Content Accessibility Guidelines
Law on the Ratification of the Administrative Procedure Code and other Provisions
Law on the Re-use of Greek Public Sector Information
Law on the Ratification of the Pension Rules of the Draft Financial Assistance Contract
Electronic Signatures
Security aspects:
Law on the Protection of Individuals with regard to the Processing of Personal Data
47
Law on the Protection of Personal Data and Private Life with regard to Electronic Telecommunications
Law on a High Common Level of Security of Network and Information Systems
General Secretariat of Public Administration Information Systems
Law on the National Register of Minors
eProcurement:
Law on Public Procurement
Law on Electronic Invoices
Domain-specific legislation:
Law on eHealth
Presidential Decree 131/2003 on eCommerce
Law 4635/2019 on Geospatial Data
Emerging technologies: -
4. Infrastructure
Portals:
National Portals:
Greek National Portal, Covid19.gov.gr, TAXISnet, AADE portal, Interoperability Centre, Diavgeia – Transparency Portal,
Service Directive Portal, eThemis - Online Legislation Portal, eJustice Portal, Geodata Portal, Startup Greece
Subnational Portals: -
No particular infrastructure in this field has been reported to date.
Networks:
National Public Administration Network (SYZEFXIS), National Network of Infrastructures for Research and Technology
(GRNET S.A.)
Data Exchange:
BI-Health, Geodata, Documentation Model for Public Administration Processes and Data, Interface between the
Independent Public Revenue Authority Information Systems & eGovernance Social Security S.A
Social Security Registration Number – AMKA, National Authentication System, Health eID
eProcurement:
Promitheus, Central Electronic Procurement Registry, Electronic Invoices System
ePayment: -
Knowledge Management:
Opengov.gr, Citizen Service Centres (KEP) and their online platform (eKEP), Digital Greece 2020 Forum
Gross-boarder platforms: -
Base registries:
National Citizens Registry (MP), COVID-19 Patient Registry, Online Media Registry, Hellenic Republic Human Resources
Registry (Apografi), Digital Vehicle Registry, Business Registries Interconnection System (BRIS), National Naturalisation
Registry, Immigration Registry, General Commercial Registry & One-Stop Services for Business, Registry of Real
Beneficiaries, General Electronic Commercial Registry (G.E.MH.)

with Customers.
Austria Digital Public Administration Factsheets 2020
48
2. Political

Digitisation Strategy “Digital Austria in 2050” (2019-present)
eGovernment Vision 2020: Platform Digital Austria (PDO) (2009-2020)
Federal eGovernment Strategy
Interoperability:
Austrian Interoperability Framework (AIF)
Once-only principle
Key enablers:
Open Government Data
eID
Securities aspects:
National Cybersecurity Strategy
eProcurements:
Public tenders
Domain-specific political communications: -
Artificial Intelligence Mission Austria 2030 (AIM AT 2030)
Blockchain, virtual reality, augmented reality, smart cities
3. Legislation

eGovernment Act
Right to electronic correspondence of citizens with the public administration (according to Article 1a eGovernment Act)
General Administration Procedures Act
Interoperability:
eGovernment Act - Once-only principle
Key enablers:
Constitutional Law on Access to Information (Auskunftspflichtgesetz)
Reuse of Information Act
SourcePIN Register Regulation
eGovernment Sectors Delimitation Regulation
Supplementary Register Regulation
Signature and Trust Services Act (SVG)
Securities aspects:
Security of Network and Information Systems Act
Data Protection Act
Central Commercial Registry
Central Civil Registry
Land Registry
Central Registry of Vehicles
Central Residents’ Registry
eProcurement:
Federal Procurement Act
eInvoicing
Service of Documents Act
49
Research Organisation Act
Delivery Service Regulation
Austrian Deregulation Act
Health Telematics Law
eCommerce Act
The Digital Office Regulatory Framework
4. Infrastructure
Portals:
National Portals:
Oesterreich.gv.at (former HELP.gv.at), Business Service Portal (USP), Legal Information System of the Republic of Austria
(RIS), Open Government Data Portal (data.gv.at), FinanzOnline portal, GESUNDheit.gv.at portal, ICT security portal
Networks:
Trans European Services for Telematics between Administrations
Data Exchange:
Electronic Delivery Service, Electronic File System (ELAK)
Portal Group, Mobile Signature and Citizen Card, Signature Verification
eProcurement:
PEP online, BBG Portal, European standard on eInvoicing
ePayment: -
MOOC (Massive Open Online Course), eGovLabs - Joinup
Gross-boarder platforms: -
Base registries:
Electronic Data Processing Register (‘DVR-Online’), EUCARIS, ECRIS and EULIS

with Customers.
Belgium Digital Public Administration Factsheets 2020
2. Political

Digital Belgium (2015- present)
Federal eGovernment Strategy (2009-present)
Communication campaign on eBox
Digital Wallonia 2019-2024
Plan Marshall 4.0
Administration contact of Wallonia public services
Administration contract of the Ministry of the Wallonia-Brussels Federation
eGovernment Strategy of Flanders
50
eGovernment Strategy of the Brussels-Capital Region
Interoperability:
BelgIF –Belgium’s National Interoperability Framework
Digital Transformation Office strategy
Key enablers:
Federal Open Data Strategy (2015-2020)
Charter on Open Data use by local authorities
Securities aspects:
Strategic Plan 2019-2025
eHealth Action Plan 2019-2021
Flanders’ Action Plan on Artificial Intelligence
AI4Belgium
G-Cloud Programme
3. Legislation

Government framework for the digital and information technology policy
Interoperability: -
Key enablers:
Law on the right of access to administration documents, Law on the re-use of public sector information, Royal Decree
establishing the procedures and time limits for the handling of requests for public sector information re-use
Law on the electronic identification, Legal framework on trusted services, Law on the use of Electronic Signature in
Judicial and Extra-Judicial Proceedings
Security aspects:
The Flemish Data Protection Decree
Law on the protection of private life with regard to the processing of personal data
Law on the establishment of a security framework for the information systems having general interest
Law on eBox
Flemish Public Governance Decree
eProcurement:
Law on public procurement and several public works contracts, public supply contracts and public services contracts
eInvoicing legislation
Law on the acceptance of bids, information to candidates and tenderers, and time limits on public procurement and
several public works contracts, public supply contracts and public service contracts.
Decree on primary care
4. Infrastructure
Portals:
National Portals:
Federal Portal Belgium.be, FedWeb Portal, Single Point of Contact Portal, Social Security Portal, MyHealth Portal
Subnational Portals:
Walloon Regional Portal, Mon Espace Walloon Portal, Mon Espace for teachers in the Walloon-Brussels region, Flemish
Regional Portal, Brussels Regional be home Portal, Accueil des enfants Portal, Business Support Portal for the Walloon
Region, Federation Wallonie-Bruxelles, German–speaking Community of Belgians Portal, Flemish Portal for Enterprises
Networks:
Belnet network, FedMAN, Federal Service Bus (FSB), IRISnet, Urbizone
Data Exchange:
Kruispuntbank Vlaanderen (Flanders Crossroad bank)
51
Belgian eID card, Federal Signing Box, eSignBox, Digital signature platform of Flanders, Digital certificates, Biometric
passports, TSME Mobile Application, Digital Keys
eProcurement:
Public Procurement Portal, eNotification Platform, eTendering Platform, eCatalogue Platform, Development of an
eOrdering portal in OpenPEPPOL in the Flemish region, Regional eTendering Portal of the Walloon Regional and the
French Community, eInvoice
ePayment: -
No particular infrastructure in this field has been reported to date
Databases / Authentic sources system, MAGDA Platform, beConnected, IWF (Intelligent Web Forms)
Cross-border platforms:
European Business Registry, EUCARIS, Exchange of diploma information
Base registries:
Flemish Base Registries

with Customers.
Bulgaria Digital Public Administration Factsheets 2020
2. Political

National Programme Digital Bulgaria 2025
Strategy for the Development of eGovernment in the Republic of Bulgaria 2019 – 2023
Architecture of eGovernment
Governance Programme of the Bulgarian Government
Interoperability:
Bulgarian National Interoperability Framework Draft (BNIF)
Key enablers:
Platform for publicly available information
Introduction of the Cloud Electronic Signature
Security aspects: -
No political communication has been adopted in this field to date.
Interconnection of base registries: -
eProcurement: -
eInsutance
eCustoms
eJustice
Artificial Intelligence in the Strategy for the Development of eGovernment in the Republic of Bulgaria 2019 – 2023
Strategy for digitalization in agriculture
52
Industry 4.0
Action Plan for AI in education and science
3. Legislation

eGovernment Act
Interoperability:
eGovernment Act
Key enablers:
Access to Public Information Act, Protection of Personal Data Act
Electronic Document and Electronic Trust Services Act, Electronic Identification Act, eSignature in the eGovernment Act
Security aspects:
Cybersecurity Act, Ordinance on Minimum Requirements for Network and Information Security, Law for Protection of
Personal Data
Central component, Law on the Commercial Register and Register of Non-profit Legal Entities, Cadastre and Property
Register Act, Civil Register Act, Register BULSTAT
eProcurement:
Public Procurement Law, eInvoicing legislation
eCommerce Act
4. Infrastructure
Portals:
National Portals:
Open Data Portal, Public Consultations Portal, Platform for publicly available information, Public Procurement Portal
(PPP) Portal for Access to Software Systems Development Resources, Portal for public consultations
UPAEAS (Unified Portal for Access to Electronic Administrative Services), Local municipalities portals
Networks:
Unified communications network
Data Exchange:
Register Information Exchange System (RegiX)
Electronic Information System for Civil Registration and Administration (CRAS)
eDelivery
State Hybrid Private Cloud
Biometric passport
eSignature
eProcurement:
Public Procurement Register (PPR)
eSender service
eInvoicing platform
ePayment:
Electronic Payment Gateway
Project source repository
VAT Public Bulletin
GDPR in Your Pocket
eIDAS Node
Electronic Exchange of Social Security Information – EESSI
Secure Platform for Electronic Exchange of Data (sPAD)
Base registries:
53
RegiX

with Customers.
Croatia Digital Public Administration Factsheets 2020
2. Political

The Croatian Presidency of the Council of the European Union
The eCroatia 2020 Strategy
The Programme of the Croatian Government for the Period 2016–2020
Interoperability:
The eCroatia 2020 Strategy
Key enablers:
Open Data Policy
Electronic Identification Croatia (ePIC)
Security aspects:
National Strategy on Cyber Security
The Public Administration Development Strategy 2015–2020
2012-2020 National Healthcare Strategy
eJustice
eSchool: Establishment of the Digital Maturity Schools Development Programme (pilot project)
Statement on Cooperation for Artificial Intelligence
3. Legislation

Law on the State Information Infrastructure
Interoperability:
Single Digital Gateway
Decree on Organisational and Technical Standards for Connecting to the National Information Infrastructure.
Key enablers:
Act on the Right of Access to Information (NN 25/13, 85/15)
Re-use of Public Sector Information (PSI)
eIDAS
Decree on the Provision and Use of Trust Services (NN 060/2019)
Electronic Signature Act (NN 10/02/ NN 80/08/ NN 30/14)
Security aspects:
Act on Cybersecurity of Operators of Essential Services and Digital Service Providers
General Data Protection Regulation
Decree on the Establishment of the Public Register for the Coordination of Projects on the State Information
Infrastructure
54
Central Electronic Registry
Business Registry
Land Registry
eProcurement:
Public Procurement Act (NN 110/07 / NN 125/08, 120/16)
eInvoicing Legislation
eInvoicing in Public Procurement
Accessibility of web pages
eBusiness
eCash
eMoney
Establishing a business
Law on Electronic Commerce (NN 173/03, 67/08, 36/09, 130/11, 30/14)
Regulation on eCommunication
4. Infrastructure
Portals:
National Portals:
Central Salary Calculation System, eCitizen portal, State Administration Portal, HITRO.HR portal, Judges Web Service,
Open Data Portal, Patient Portal, Central Catalogue of Official Documents of the Republic of Croatia
Networks:
HITRONet and CARNet, eBulletin Board and Court Networking Project, The StuDOM Project: a System of Local Computer
Networks in Student Dormitories, Broadband infrastructure, Development of the 5G Network
Data Exchange:
Shared Service Centre, Improving the system of electronic services, National Spatial Data Infrastructure, Starting a
business, Digital Chamber, Establishment of a fully electronic service for enrolling in educational institutions
Personal Identification Number (OIB) System
eCitizens Platform
FINA (Financial Agency) eCard
Establishment of an electronic service platform for e/m-Signature and e/m-Seal
eProcurement:
Electronic Public Procurement Classifieds (EPPC)
eInvocing Platform and Management Solutions
ePayment:
eFee project
The Central State Office for the Development of the Digital Society
Higher Education Institutions Information System - Undergraduate Studies (ISVU)
The EUROVOC thesaurus
Croatian National Educational Standard (CNES)
Project for the establishment of integrated systems for the management of official documents
Project for process informatisation and establishment of an integral electronic service for admission in education
institutions
Cooperation Network
Base registries:
Metaregistry
Shared Services Centre (SSC)
Cadastral data browser
eCourt registry
eCREW system
Central Database Registry on Personal Data
Personal Identification Number (OIB/PIN) Registry
55
HITROnet

with Customers.
Cyprus Digital Public Administration Factsheets 2020
2. Political

Deputy Ministry for Research, Innovation and Digital Policy (DMRID)
Digital Strategy for Cyprus after 2020
Digital Strategy for Cyprus 2012-2020
eGovernment Strategy 2014-2020
Equity Fund
Memorandum of Understanding in the Area of eGovernment between the Republic of Cyprus and Estonia
Public Administration Reform (PAR)
Action Plan on Better Regulation
Partnership Agreement (PA) 2014-2020
Operational Programme “Competitiveness and Sustainable Development”
Interoperability: -
Key enablers:
National Scheme
eGovernment in Education
National Coalition for Digital Jobs
Cyprus Broadband Plan
Reform of the Justice System
Information System for Countering Undeclared Work – ERGANI SYSTEM
National Strategy on Decentralised Technologies and Blockchain
European Blockchain Partnership (EBP) and MED 7 Cooperation
3. Legislation
Specific legislation on digital public administration: -

Interoperability: -
Key enablers:
Access to Public Information (Access Rights Act)
Law Establishing Rules Governing the Re-use of Existing Information Held by Public Sector Bodies
Accessibility of the Websites and Mobile Applications of Public Sector Bodies
56
Legal Framework for Electronic Signatures and Associated Matters
Security aspects:
Law Providing for the Protection of Natural Persons with Regard to the Processing of Personal Data and for the Free
Movement of Such Data
eProcurement:
Legal Framework Governing Public Procurement
eInvoicing
Law on Certain Legal Aspects of Information Society Services, in Particular Electronic Commerce and Associated Matters
and its Amendment
Law on Electronic Money
Law on eHealth
4. Infrastructure
Portals:
National Portals:
Enterprise Resource Planning System (ERP)
Department of Lands and Surveys (DLS) Portal
Cyprus Government Open Data Portal
Ipodamos - Town Planning and Housing Department’s Integrated Information System
Cyprus Government Portal
Point of Single Contact (PSC) of Cyprus
Government Secure Gateway (Ariadni)
Grow Digital portal
Citizens Service Centres (KEPs)
Police Internal Affairs Service
Postal Codes database
Postal Rates database
Cyprus ART
Networks:
Government Data Network (GDN) and Government Internet Node (GIN)
Unified Data Centre (UDC)
Governmental Unified Network (GUN)
Data Exchange:
Current status
Government Data Warehouse
Electronic Office Automation System (eOASIS)
European Language Resource Coordination
eDelivery in Cyprus
Progress in the field of eID
eProcurement:
Electronic Procurement portal (ePS)
eInvoicing in Cyprus
ePayment:
Current status
Government Secure Gateway
Integrated Fisheries Management Platform
Meridian
Knowledge Management and Training Network
Archive digitalization
THESEAS Customs system
EESSI – Electronic Exchange of Social Insurance Information
57
National Contact Point for Cross Border Healthcare
Interconnection of Insolvency Registers
EURES (European Employment Services)
Base registries:
Interconnecting EU Land Registers
Digital registry of sworn translators

with Customers.
Czech Digital Public Administration Factsheets 2020
2. Political

Innovation Strategy of the Czech Republic 2019–2030
National Artificial Intelligence Strategy and Expert Platform for Law and AI
Action Plan on Administrative Burden Reduction 2019–2022
Strategic Framework for the Development of the Public Administration in the Czech Republic
Client-oriented Public Administration 2030
Interoperability:
Interoperability initiatives
Key enablers:
Guidelines for Interoperability
Czech Republic 2030
Digital Czech Republic
Digital Czech Republic
Security aspects:
National Cybersecurity Strategy of the Czech Republic
eProcurement:
Strategy for the Electronisation of Public Procurement in the Czech Republic
International Competitiveness Strategy of the Czech Republic for the period 2012–2020 (SMK)
National Architecture Plan for eGovernment [National Architecture Plan (NAP) and National Architecture Framework
(NAF)]
National eHealth Strategy
eJustice Strategy
GeoInfoStrategy
Innovation Strategy of the Czech Republic 2019–2030 and Digital Czech Republic Programme
National Artificial Intelligence Strategy
Memorandum of Cooperation
3. Legislation

Act on the Right to Digital Services
58
Interoperability:
Acts on Public Administration Interoperability
Key enablers:
Act on Public Administration Information Systems
Act on the Accessibility of Websites and Mobile Applications of Public Sector Bodies
Act on Free Access to Information
Act on Electronic Identification
Act on Citizen Identity Cards
Act on Trust Services for Electronic Transactions
Act on BankID
Security aspects:
The Personal Data Processing Act
Act on Cybersecurity
Act on Base Registries
eProcurement:
Act on Public Procurement
eInvoicing legislation
Act on Electronic Actions and Authorised Document Conversion
Act on Certain Information Society Services
Act on Health Services
No legislation was adopted in this field to date
4. Infrastructure
Portals:
National Portals:
Public Administration Portal and Citizen’s Portal
National Identity Authority Portal
Data Mailbox System Portal
Czech Social Security Administration Portal
eTax Portal
Electronic Portal of Local Self-Governments (ePUSA)
Portal of the Union of Towns and Municipalities of the Czech Republic
City Data Platforms
Prague Data Platform
Data Portal of the Brno City Municipality
Networks:
Public Administration Communication Infrastructure (KIVS)
Czech POINT Network
Data Exchange:
Data Box Information System
eIDAS Node
eSignatures
ePassports
eID
Czech National Verification Authority
eProcurement:
eProcurement Portal
Public Procurement and Concessions Portal
National Electronic Tool
National eInvoicing Forum
59
ePayment:
Payment Gateway
Digital Map of the Public Administration (DMVS)
Czech Base Registry of Territorial Identification, Addresses and Real Estate (RUIAN)
Base registries:
National Register for Identification and Authentication
eGovernment Service Bus
Information System of Base Registries (ISZR)

with Customers.
Denmark Digital Public Administration Factsheets 2020
2. Political

Strategy for Denmark’s Digital Growth
Guidelines on How to Make Legislation Ready for Digitisation
Public Sector Digitisation Strategy: a Stronger and More Secure Digital Denmark (2016-2020)
Common Municipal Digitisation Strategy (2016-2020)
Strategy for ICT Management in Central Government
Interoperability:
Common Framework for a Public-Sector Digital Architecture (Danish NIF)
Common Rules for Concept and Data Modelling
Key enablers:
Open Government Partnership Action Plan (2019-2021)
Basic Data Programme
Open Data Directive
NOBID Project (Nordic-Baltic Cooperation on Digital Identities)
Danish Trust Service Providers
Security aspects:
National Strategy for Cyber and Information Security (2018-2021)
eProcurement:
eProcurement initiatives
A Coherent and Trustworthy Health Network for All – Digital Health Strategy 2018-2022
Strategy for Digital Welfare (2013-2020)
Technology Pact
National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence
3. Legislation
60

Standing Committee for the Legal Framework on eGovernment
Interoperability:
Legislative Focus on Interoperability
Key enablers:
Access to Public Administration Documents Act
Act Amending the Law on the Re-use of Public Sector Information
Electronic identification and trust services for electronic transactions
Security aspects:
Act on the Processing of Personal Data
Regulation on General Data Protection
Act on Data Protection
Act on the Central Business Register
Act on Building and Dwelling Registration
Act on Subdivision
Act on Spatial Information
eProcurement:
Government Order concerning the Procedures for the Awarding of Public Works Contracts and Public Supply Contracts
Act on Electronic Invoicing
Act on Business Promotion
Act on Information Society Services and Electronic Commerce
Mandatory Digital Self-Service and Mandatory Digital Post
Act on Web Accessibility
4. Infrastructure
Portals:
National Portals:
Data Distributor
Digital Guides
Borger.dk – Citizen Portal
Virk.dk – Business Portal
Real Property Portal
‘Live’ Operational Status
National Portal for Cyber and Information Security
Local Government Denmark and Danish Regions
Networks:
Data Exchange:
Reference Architecture for Sharing Data and Documents, POC Study on eDelivery, New Applications Profiles
Guidelines and Rules for Data Modelling and Guidelines on REST-based Webservices and APIs
eIDAS eID-Gateway Node, NemID Digital Signature, NemLog-in: Sign-In Solution, ePassports
eProcurement:
eCatalogues and eOrders, Procurement Portal, eInvoicing, Nemhandel
ePayment:
Agency for Digitisation
Information Repository and Platform for Collaboration, Danish Dataset Catalogue
Government Cloud Services and CEF eDelivery Services
Base registries:
61
Base Registry Data available on the Data Distributor

with Customers.
Estonia Digital Public Administration Factsheets 2020
2. Political

Digital Agenda 2020 for Estonia
Interoperability:
Estonian Interoperability Framework
Digital Agenda 2020 for Estonia
Key enablers:
Open Government Partnership
White Paper on eID
Security aspects:
Cybersecurity Strategy 2019-2022
Management and development of services and information governance, Next Generation Digital Government
Architecture,
National coordination of updated ICT strategies in different domains, eResidency
National Strategy on Artificial Intelligence, HANS – AI system
3. Legislation

No legislation has been adopted in this field to date
Interoperability:
Public Information Act
Key enablers:
Public Information Act, Archives Act
Electronic Identification and Trust Services for Electronic Transactions Act
Security aspects:
Cybersecurity Act, Personal Data Protection Act, System of Security Measures for Information Systems
Estonian Base Registries, Business Registry, Population Registry, Land Registry, Vehicle Registry
eProcurement:
Public Procurement Act, Act on Amendments to the Accounting Act
Information Society Services Act, Regulation on Cross-Border Exchange of Information Regarding Health Services,
62
Principles for Managing Services and Governing Information, Simplified Business Income Taxation Act,
4. Infrastructure
Portals:
National Portals:
eesti.ee: eGovernment Portal, Estonian Tax and Customs Board (ETCB), Open Data Portal, Government Portal,
eGovernment Code Repository
Rural Municipality Portal
Networks:
TASOnet's 'EEBone', Management System of the State Information System (RIHA),
Data Exchange:
X-Road Middleware
Electronic ID card, Mobile-ID, Smart-ID, ePassport, Dokobit Portal
eProcurement:
Public Procurement Register, eInvoicing in Estonia
ePayment:
TARGET Instant Payment Settlements (TIPS)
Document Exchange Layer (DHX), eKool Web Application, Personal Data Usage Monitor, Select IT, Digi ABC
Nordic Institute for Interoperability Solutions (NIIS)
Data Embassy in Luxembourg
Base registries:
Public Procurement Register

with Customers.
Finland Digital Public Administration Factsheets 2020
2. Political

Government Programme of Prime Minister Marin
2018 Government Report to Parliament on Information Policy and Artificial Intelligence
Open Government Action Plan
Interoperability:
Key enablers:
Act on the Openness of Government Activities
63
Security aspects:
Cyber Security Strategy
Next steps in the Government Programme of Prime Minister Marin
eProcurement: -
No political communication has been adopted in this field to date
Government Report to Parliament on Spatial Data Policy
Artificial Intelligence Programme (2017–2019)
National AuroraAI Programme
3. Legislation

Information Management in Public Administration Act
Shared Support Services for eGovernment Act
Provision of Digital Services Act
Interoperability:
Key enablers:
Openness of Government Activities Act
Strong Electronic Identification and Trust Services Act
Security aspects:
Government Security Network Activities Act
Population Information System and the Digital and Population Data Services Agency’s Certificate Services Act
eProcurement:
Public Procurement Act
Secondary Use of Health and Social Data Act
4. Infrastructure
Portals:
National Portals:
Suomi.fi Web Service for Citizens, Organisations and Companies
Demokratia.fi
Paikkatietoikkuna.fi
Opendata.fi
Semantic Interoperability Platform
Job Market Finland
Lounaistieto.fi
Avoinsatakunta.fi
Networks:
Kampus: Government Intranet
64
Data Exchange: -
Electronic Prescription
Pilot projects
X-Road
The eID ecosystem in Finland
Digital and Population Data Services Agency
FINeID
Citizen Certificate
Organisation Certificate
Server Certificate
Civil Servant Identity Card
Public Sector eID Portal
eAuthorisations
Business Information System (BIS)
eProcurement:
Current status
Tutki Hankintoja
Central Procurement Unit
HILMA notification service
eInvoicing platforms
ePayment:
Suomi.fi Maksu
Government intranet portal
The Nordic Institute for Interoperability Solutions
Base registries:
Population Information System
Register of Association
The Register for Foundations
Land Information System
Business Information System (BIS or YTJ in Finnish)
The Topographic Data System
Digiroad
The Incomes Register
Register of
Property Management Company Shares

with Customers.
France Digital Public Administration Factsheets 2020
2. Political

Tech.gouv (2019-present)
National Strategy for an Inclusive Digital Society
Public Action 2022
65
Ministerial Transformation Plans
Ministerial Digital Transformation Plans
Concerted Development of the Territorial Digital Administration (DCANT)
Government Roadmap for the Digital Economy
‘State Start-up’ Strategy
‘Tell Us Once’ Principle
Interoperability:
Demarches-simplifiees.fr
Key enablers:
Cloud Strategy
Implementation of secure digital identity solutions
Security aspects:
Information Campaign to Carry Out Administrative Procedures in Complete Safety
eProcurement:
European Single Procurement Document (ESPD), Public Procurement Digital Transformation Plan
Ma Santé 2022 Strategy, ’School of Trust’ Project (Ecole de la Confiance), Digital Criminal Procedure Programme
National Strategy on Artificial Intelligence, National Research Strategy for Artificial Intelligence,
Selection of AI Projects for the AI Lab
3. Legislation

Law for a State at the Service of a Society based on Trust
Digital Bill (Law for a Digital Republic)
Ordinance on the Right of Users to Communicate with the Administration via Electronic Means
Decree on the Exchange of Information and Data between Administrations within the Context of Administrative
Procedures
Ordinance on Electronic Interactions between Public Services Users and Public Authorities and among Public Authorities
Interoperability:
Decree on the Unified Command and Information System for Fire and Rescue Services and Civil Protection NexSIS 18-112
Key enablers:
Law on the Modalities of Re-use of Public Sector Information
Law on Access to Administrative Documents
Article 47 of the Disability Act of 2005
Law for a State at the Service of a Society based on Trust
Law on Electronic Communications and Audio-visual Communication Services
Law on Electronic Signature
Law for Trust in the Digital Economy
Security aspects:
Law No 2018-133 of 26 February 2018 on Various Provisions for Adapting to European Union Law in the field of Security
Personal Data Protection Act
Law on Informatics and Liberties
Vehicle Portal
Transport.data.gouv.fr
Commercial Code
‘Tell-Us-Once’ Principle Programme
eProcurement:
French Public Procurement Code
66
Law on Programming 2018–2022 and on the Reform of Justice
Law on the Organisation and Transformation of the Healthcare System
Law on the Growth and Transformation of Enterprises
4. Infrastructure
Portals:
National Portals:
‘Tell-Us-Once’ Principle: continuous enhancement of the API catalogue, Etat plateforme (State as a Platform),
ePassports, FranceConnect, WorkInFrance.gouv.fr, Mesdroitssociaux.fr, Service-Public.fr, Data.gouv.fr,
Mes-aides.fr, Observatoire.numerique.gouv.fr, Demarches-simplifiees.fr, Business Creation Portals, Beta.gouv.fr, France
Num, Tribunaldigital.fr, Health Data Hub, National Agency for Secured Documents websites
Networks:
Inter-ministerial Network of the State (RIE), Secure Inter-ministerial Intranet for Governmental Synergies (ISIS),
Data Exchange: -

FranceConnect, Common eSignature solution, State as a Platform, ePassports, Tchap
eProcurement:
timbres.impots.gouv.fr, eProcurement Platform (PLACE), Official Bulletin of Public Procurement Notices,
eMarketplace of the Burgundy region, Chorus Pro
ePayment:
PayFiP
references.modernisation.gouv.fr, Adullact.Net, Awareness Kit
Cleiss, Campus France Platform
Base registries:
National Address Base Registry, Registry for Chauffeured Cars, Business Registry, Tax Registries, SIRENE Registry

with Customers.
Germany Digital Public Administration Factsheets 2020
2. Political

Shaping Digitalisation: Implementation Strategy of the Federal Government
Interim Report on the Implementation for the First National Action Plan (NAP) for 2017-2019
National eGovernment Strategy
Memorandum for the National eGovernment Strategy
The IT Consolidation Programme of the German Federal Government
67
IT Strategy of the Federal Administration (IT-Strategie der Bundesverwaltung)
Key Points of the Federal Data Strategy
The Once-Only-Principle
Interoperability:
Architectural Guideline for FEderal IT
Key enablers:
Broadband Atlas
Open Government Partnership
Geoinformation Strategy
Personalausweisportal: the eID Card Website
Security aspects related to digital public administration:
Cybersecurity Strategy for Germany
eProcurement:
eProcurement in Germany

eGesetzgebung: a project aiming at a fully digital legislation process
High-Tech Strategy 2020 for Germany: Ideas, Innovation, Prosperity
mFUND: an initiative to support the development of data-based solutions for mobility
Future of the countryside: Digitalisation Opportunities for rural areas
AI Strategy (Strategie Künstliche Intelligenz der Bundesregierung)
3. Legislation

The Single Digital Gateway Regulation
Act for the Improvement of Online Access to Administration Services
Act on the promotion of electronic Government
German Basic Law (Articles 91c and 91d)
Law on the Connection of Information Technology Networks of Federal and State Governments
Interoperability: -
Key enablers:
Law on the Re-use of Public Sector Information, Freedom of Information Act, Open Data Act (EGovG, Article 12a)
Draft Legislation Introducing a Card for EU Citizens and Members of the European Economic Area, Brexit withdrawal
agreement,
eIDAS Implementation Act, Electronic Identification Promotion Act, Digital Signature Act
Security aspects related to digital public administration:
Federal Data Protection Act
Commercial Registry, Population Registry, Land Registry
eProcurement:
Official Contracting Terms for Award of Service Performance Contracts, eInvoicing
Electronic Commerce Act
Act on De-Mail Services and Amendments to other Legislation
4. Infrastructure
68
Portals:
National Portals:
Bund.de: A new nationwide German digitalisation platform for the public administration
GovData Portal
Portalverbund
eGovernment-Portals in Bavaria and North Rhine-Westphalia
Networks:
Berlin-Bonn Information Network (IVBB)
Federal Networks (NdB)
Deutschland-Online Infrastructure (DOI)
Data Exchange:
De-Mail
Electronic Identity Card
Electronic Passport (ePass)
Signature Alliance
eProcurement:
eTendering Platform (XVergabe), Federal eProcurement Platform (eVergabe), Federal eGovernment Shop (Kaufhaus des
Bundes),
E-Rechnung
ePayment:
ePayBL
Library Portal (Bibliotheksportal), XRepository
EBR, ECRIS and EUCARIS
Base registries:
Services Registry - German Administration Services Directory (DVDV), Registry Factory, Further developments

with Customers.
Hungary Digital Public Administration Factsheets 2020
2. Political

National Infocommunication Strategy 2014–2020
Interoperability:
National Infocommunication Strategy 2014–2020
Key enablers:
Public Sector Information Re-use
Central Authentication Agent
Security aspects:
Cybersecurity Strategy, Digital Government Projects and Cybersecurity
69
Central Governmental Service Bus (KKSZB)
eProcurement: -
Public Administration and Civil Service Development Operational Programme
Artificial Intelligence Coalition, Fintech Strategy, Blockchain Working Group, Gigabit Hungary Strategy (GHS), 5G
Coalition (5GC),
High-Performance Computing Infrastructure and Ecosystem
3. Legislation

eAdministration Act, eGovernment legislation
Interoperability:
eAdministration Ac
Key enablers:
Act on the Re-use of Public Data, Act on Informational Self-determination and Freedom of Information
Act on the General Rules for Electronic Administration and Trust Services, Government Decree 137/2016. (VI. 13.),
Government Decree 451/2016. (XII. 19.), Decree of the Ministry of Interior 24/2016. (VI. 30.)
Security aspects:
Act on the Electronic Information Security of State and Municipal Bodies
Act on Citizens’ Personal Data and Address of Registration,
Act on Public Company Information, Company Registration and Winding-up Proceedings
eProcurement:
Government Decree on Electronic Public Procurement
eCommerce legislation
New regulations
4. Infrastructure
Portals:
National Portals:
SZÜF, Open Data Portal, Kormany.hu, Egeszsegugy.gov.hu
eMunicipality Portal
Networks:
Superfast Internet Programme, National Telecommunication Backbone Network (NTG),
Data Exchange:
Central Government Service Bus (KKSZB), Municipality ASP
Client Gate, Central Authentication Agent, eID
eProcurement:
Public Procurement legislation, System for eProcurement Infrastructure, Online Invoice System, eInvoicing in Public
Procurement
ePayment:
Electronic Payment and Settlement System
Knowledge Management: -
Cross-border platforms: -
Base registries:
70
Personal Data and Address Registry, TAKARNET Network, Association Registry, Electronic Register of Registers (NyENy)

with Customers.
Ireland Digital Public Administration Factsheets 2020
2. Political

National Cybersecurity Strategy (2019-present)
GovTech Report (Cruinniú GovTech Report)
eGovernment Strategy 2017–2020
Our Public Service 2020
Public Service ICT Strategy
Interoperability:
Public Service Data Strategy
Key enablers:
Open Data Strategy, Open Government Partnership National Action Plan
eID and Trust Services: -
Security aspects: -
National Cybersecurity Centre (NCSC)
Public Service Data Strategy
eProcurement:
National Public Procurement Policy Framework (NPPPF)

eHealth Strategy, Knowledge and Information Strategy, Technology Skills 2022: Ireland’s Third ICT Skills Action Plan
Research Priority Areas, Declarations on Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain and Innovation Radar, Cryptoassets and
Blockchain Technology, Electronic Exchange of Social Security Information, Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund
3. Legislation

Interoperability:
Data Sharing and Governance Ac
Key enablers:
Freedom of Information (FOI) Act, European Communities (Re-Use of Public Sector Information) Regulations,
Single Digital Gateway
eIDAS regulation
Security aspects:
71
Data Sharing and Governance Act, General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), ePrivacy Regulations,
Copyright and Related Rights Act
eProcurement:
Office of Government Procurement (OGP), National Public Procurement Policy Framework (NPPPF), eInvoicing
Data Sharing and Governance Act, Companies Act, Land and Conveyancing Law Reform Act, Civil Registration Act
Electronic Commerce Act, European Communities (Directive 2000/31/EC) Regulations
There is no specific legislation in this area, existing laws apply where appropriate
4. Infrastructure
Portals:
National Portals:
Government Portal, Open Data Portal, GeoHive, Citizens Information Website, Irish Government News Service Portal
Networks:
Government Networks, Trans European Services for Telematics between Administrations
Data Exchange:
Death Events Publishing Service, Electronic Exchange of Social Security Information, Government Digital Postbox

e Personal Public Service Number (PPSN) , Public Service Card (PSC) , MyGovID, MyAccount, Passports
eProcurement:
eTenders Procurement Portal, eInvoicing Ireland Programme
ePayment: -
Build to Share Applications, National Mapping
Base registries:
Companies Registration Office (CRO), Land Registry, Single Customer View, Registration of Property Transactions

with Customers.
Italy Digital Public Administration Factsheets 2020
2. Political

2025 National Innovation Plan
2014-2020 Digital Growth Strategy
72
Three-Year Plan for IT in the Public Administration
Designers Italia
Cloud Strategy
Interoperability:
Key enablers:
Fourth Open Government Partnership (OGP) Action Plan, Third Open Government Partnership (OGP) Action Plan
SPID – Public Digital Identity System, Electronic ID card
Security aspects:
Cybersecurity
Base Registries
eProcurement: -
Artificial Intelligence and Blockchain
3. Legislation

Law 160/2019, Circular no. 3/2018, Legislative Decree no. 217/2017, Legislative Decree no 179/2016, Legislative Decree
no. 133/2014, Legislative Decree no 69/2013, Legislative Decree no 179/2012, Legislative Decree no 83/2012, Legislative
Decree no 235/2010 - Digital Administration Code (DAC), eGovernment Code
Interoperability:
New Interoperability guidelines for Public Administration Bodies
Key enablers:
Legislative Decree no 97/2016, Law on Administrative Procedure and Access to Administrative Documents,
Legislative Decree no 102/2015
eGovernment Code, Legislative Decree no 82 on Electronic Signatures
Security aspects:
Law 133/2019, Decree of 8 August 2019, Data Protection Code
Legislative Decree no 91/2014, National Registry of the Resident Population (ANPR), Land Registry, Companies Registry,
Once-Only Principle
eProcurement:
Legislative Decree no 50/2016, Public Procurement Code, Presidential Decree DPR 207/2010
Determinazione 36/2018 AgID, Health Card System Legislation, Legislative Decree no 90/2014, Legislative Decree on
Electronic Commerce
Blockchain legislation
4. Infrastructure
Portals:
National Portals:
National Resident Population Register (ANPR), eGovernment Portal for Businesses, Normattiva Portal
eGovernment Employment Portal Cliclavoro, National Tourism Portal – Italia.it, Cybersecurity Portal, Artificial
Intelligence Portal
No particular portal at the subnational level has been reported to date.
Networks:
73
SPC Network, Trans European Services for Telematics between Administrations (TESTA)
Data Exchange:
eGovernment Open Data Portal, Technical Infrastructure for Application Cooperation Among Regional Authorities,
Developers.italia.it, Guidelines on the Acquisition and Reuse of Software for Public Administration Bodies
Public System for Digital Identity Management (SPID), Electronic ID Card, Certified Electronic Mail (PEC),
National Services Card (CNS), Electronic Passport (ePass)
eProcurement:
Innovative Procurement Portal, eProcurement Forum, Acquistinretepa Portal, Green Procurement Website,
eInvoicing for Public Administration Bodies
ePayment:
PagoPA
Syllabus on Digital Skills for the Public Administration, Magellano Web Platform, Communicate Italy, Open Data
European Platforms, eIDAS beta
Base registries:
Italian Public Registry

with Customers.
Latvia Digital Public Administration Factsheets 2020
2. Political

Information Society Development Guidelines
Concept for the Organisational Model of Public ICT Management
Interoperability:
Conceptual Architecture of Public Administration Information Systems
Key enablers:
Fourth National Action Plan for Open Government Partnership
National Open Data Strategy
Electronic identification cards
Security aspects:
Cybersecurity Strategy of Latvia
Modernisation of the Natural Persons Data Service
eProcurement:
Integrated Electronic Procurement System
No political communication has been adopted in this field to date
National Blockchain Working Group, Blockchain hackathon, National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Strategy
3. Legislation
74
Regulation for the Public Administration Services Portal
Registration, quality control and procedures for the provision of public administration services
Interoperability:
Key enablers:
Law on State Information Systems, Freedom of Information Law, Accessibility of the websites and mobile applications
eID Decision, Personal Identification Documents Law, Natural Person Electronic Identification Law,
Personal Identification Documents Law
Security aspects:
Personal Data Processing Law, Law on the Security of Information Technologies
Population Register Law, Civil Registration Law, Enterprise Register Act, Land Registry Law, Law on Vehicle Registration
eProcurement:
Public Procurement Bill, Law on Procurement for the Needs of Public Services Providers, eInvoicing Legislation
eDemocracy Legislation, Electronic Documents Law (EDL) , Law on Information Society Services,
Law on the Official Electronic Address, Electronic Communications Law
Initial Coin Offering legislation
4. Infrastructure
Portals:
National Portals:
State and Local Government Services Portal, eHealth System, Online Latvia, National Open Data Portal,
Platform to develop virtual assistants for public administration institutions, Electronic Declaration System (EDS)
No particular portal at the subnational level has been reported to date.
Networks:
Data Exchange:
State Information System Integrator (VISS), Web-based document flow system (DAUKS),
National information system for working with European Union documents (ESVIS), Court Information System (CIS)
eIDAS Node, Electronic Identity (eID) card, eSignature portal, Machine-readable passports
eProcurement:
Electronic procurement system (EPS)
ePayment: -
National Database on Learning Opportunities, National Digital Library of Latvia (NDL), State Integrated Library
Information System (SILIS), State Integrated Archival Information System (SIAIS), The Joint Catalogue of the National
Holdings of Museums (JCNHM), State Information Systems (SIS)
Base registries:
State ICT Resources and Services Register (VIRSIS), Population Register, The Enterprise Register, The Real Estate Cadastre
and the State Address Register, National Register of Vehicles and Drivers

75
with Customers.
Lithuania Digital Public Administration Factsheets

2020
2. Political

2014-2020 Information Society Development Programme: Digital Agenda for Lithuania
Interoperability:
Baseline for a National Interoperability Framework
Key enablers:
Access to public information: -
Security aspects:
eProcurement: -

Operational Programme for EU Structural Funds Investments, eHealth System Development Programme
Lithuanian Artificial Intelligence Strategy
3. Legislation

Decree on the eGovernment Programme Implementation Plan, Law on Public Administration,
Law no X-239 Amending Article 19 of the Public Administration Act, Public Administration Act
Interoperability:
Recommendations on RecordIng Administrative Services Deliver
Key enablers:
Law on the Right to Receive Information from State and Local Authorities and Institutions
Law on Electronic Identification and Trust Services for Electronic Transactions.
Order on the Approval of the Specifications for the Procedure Granting Qualified Trust Service Providers and Qualified
Trust Services Status, the Incorporation Thereof in the National Trusted List and the Provision of Activity Reports on
Qualified Trust Service Providers.
Order on the Specifications for the Identification of Personal Identity and Additional Specific Attributes when Issuing
Qualified Certificates for Electronic Signatures, Electronic Seals and Website Authentication.
Law on Identity Cards of the Republic of Lithuania
Security aspects:
Ruling No 709 Amending the Interinstitutional Action Plan for the Implementation of the National Cybernet Security
Strategy.
Lithuanian Law on Cybersecurity, Code of Administrative Offences of the Republic of Lithuania,
Organisational and Technical Cyber Security Requirements Imposed on Cyber Security Entities,
Critical Information Infrastructure Identification Methodology, National Cyber Incident Management Plan,
Law on Legal Protection of Personal Data
Law on State Information Resources Management, Law on Offence Registries
Regulation on the Establishment of the Registry of Legal Persons and Legal Entities, Population Registry Law,
Real Estate Registry Law, Regulation on the Registry of Road Transport Vehicles, Regulation on Real Property Register
76
eProcurement:
Law on Public Procurement, eInvoicing Legislation
Law on Services, Law on Information Society Services
4. Infrastructure
Portals:
National Portals:
eGovernment Gateway, PASIS, State Information Resources Interoperability Platform (SIRIP) , i.APS, Register of Legal
Acts,
Open data in Lithuania
Municipal open data portals
Networks:
Secure State Data Communications Network (SSDCN)
Data Exchange:
ESPBI IS, Social Support and Family Information System (SPIS), Bailiff Information System, Cash Restrictions Information
System,
Information System on Participants of Legal Entities (JADIS)
Trust Services
ePassports
eProcurement:
Central Public Procurement Portal
eInvoicing cross-border LT
ePayment: -
No particular infrastructurein this field has been reported to date.
No particular infrastructurein this field has been reported to date.
European Land Information Service, European Car and Driving License Information System, European Business Register,
European Criminal Records Information System, Cyber Rapid Response Teams and Mutual Assistance in Cyber Security
Base registries:
Catalogue of Registries and Information Systems

with Customers.
Luxembourg Digital Public Administration Factsheets 2020
2. Political
Einfach Lëtzebuerg
Digital Lëtzebuerg Strategy
Strategic vision for artificial intelligence and data-driven innovation strategy
77
Interoperability:
Luxembourg National Interoperability Framewor
Key enablers:
Guichet.lu One Stop Portal
Security aspects:
Third National Cybersecurity Strategy
eProcurement: -
Digital (4) Education Strategy, Introduction of coding in the basic educational programmes, Policy of Digital Inclusion,
eHealth Strategy
EuroHPC, Artificial Intelligence (AI) Strategy & NVIDIA partnership, Blockchain, Fibre-to-the-home (FTTH), 5G strategy,
The 5G CroCo Project, Upcoming strategies
3. Legislation

Interoperability: -
Key enablers:
Re-use of Public Sector Information (PSI), Electronic archiving, Access to information
eIDAS, eCommerce Act
Security aspects:
EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), Law of 1 August 2018 on the organisation of the National Commission
for Data Protection and the General Data Protection Scheme, Amended Act of 30 May 2005 (data protection and
electronic communications)
Act on the Identification of Natural Persons, the National Register of Natural Persons, the Identity Card, the Communal
Registers of Natural Persons, Company Registry, Land Registry, Land registration
eProcurement:
Law on eProcurement, eInvoicing Legislation
Domain-specific legislation: -
Accessibility of the websites and mobile applications of public sector bodies, Law amending the circulation of securities
4. Infrastructure
Portals:
National Portals:
luxembourg.lu, Guichet.lu, etat.public.lu, gouvernement.lu, legilux.lu, data.public.lu, sante.lu, justice.lu, chd.lu,
eDouane,
Transports.public.lu and mobiliteit.lu, geoportail.lu
communes.lu
Networks:
RACINE, Trans European Services for Telematics between Administrations (TESTA)
Data Exchange: -
78
eID and eSignature, Implementation of a Cybersecurity Competence Centre (C3), GouvCheck
eProcurement:
Public Procurement portal, PEPPOL
ePayment:
Digicash
DMS programme (GED), Data Centres, Once Only principle and Transparency Management, Blockchain
EUCARIS, Data Embassy
Base registries:
RACINE

with Customers.
Malta Digital Public Administration Factsheets 2020
2. Political

Digital Malta Strategy (2014-2020)
Mapping Tomorrow – A Strategic Plan for the Digital Transformation of the Public Administration (2019-2021)
Centralised Digital Enabling Services Policy
CONvErGE Project
Interoperability:
National ICT Interoperability Framework (NIF)
Key enablers:
No political communications have been reported to date.
National Identity Management System (NIDMS)
Security aspects:
Malta Cyber Security Strategy, Information Security Policy, Launch of Malta’s first Cybersecurity Summit
Launch of the National Cybersecurity Awareness and Education Campaign, Public Sector Cybersecurity Training,
Launch of the B Secure Scheme
Registry of Base Registers
eProcurement:
eProcurement System
National eSkills Strategy (2019-2021), The development of digital skills in compulsory schooling,
Digital education at further and higher education level, Malta Information Technology Agency (MITA) Strategy (2018-
2020)
Scholarships on Blockchain and DLTs, Launch of the Emerging Technologies Lab,
Malta Government’s vision on Artificial Intelligence
79
3. Legislation

No specific legislation on digital government has been adopted in this field to date.
Interoperability:
Electronic Filing of Official Documentation
Key enablers:
Freedom of Information Act, Re-use of Public Sector Information
eID Regulation
Security aspects:
Data Protection Act, Measures for High Common Level of Security of Network and Information Systems Order (NIS
Directive)
Public Registry Act, Motor Vehicle Registration and Licensing Act, Companies Act
eProcurement:
Public Procurement Regulations, eInvoicing Legislation, Electronic Invoicing in Public Procurement Regulations
Legal Notice on Justice, Filing of Acts by Electronic Means in the Land Arbitration Board Regulations,
Electronic Commerce Act (Chapter 426 of the Laws of Malta)
Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) and Innovative Technology Regulation
4. Infrastructure
Portals:
National Portals:
Government Portal, Servizz.gov.mt website, Data.gov.mt website, Government Intranet for the Public Service, eCourts
Portal,
Data Protection Portal, Judiciary of Malta Portal, Legislation Portal, Notarial Acts Portal, Freedom of Information Portal,
Kultura Malta Portal, myHealth Portal, Recruitment Portal
Local Councils Portal
Networks:
Next Generation Access (NGAs), MAGNET, Trans European Services for Telematics between Administrations (TESTA),
Government Core Network Upgrade
Data Exchange:
Maltese Government Common Database, National Data Portal, Cybersecurity Digital Service Infrastructure (DSI),
Notifications Service
eIDAS Node, National Identity Management System (NIDMS), Electronic Identity (eID), Electronic Identity Cards (eID
Card),
ePassports
eProcurement:
Electronic Public Procurement System (ePPS) Platform, Department of Contracts Portal
ePayment:
ePayment Gateway
My Personal Kiosk, The Malta Public Service Intranet: Intra.gov.mt
Deployment of cross-border eHealth services
Base registries:
Contracts Register
80
with Customers.
Poland Digital Public Administration Factsheets 2020
2. Political

Strategy for Responsible Development
Operational Programme Digital Poland 2014-2020
National Integrated Informatisation Programme (PZIP)
State Information Architecture
Interoperability:
State Information Architecture
Key enablers:
The Open Data Programme
Open Data Standards
Security aspects:
Cybersecurity Strategy
Efficient State Strategy 2020
eProcurement:
eProcurement project 2020 – 2026
Artificial Intelligence Policy of Poland, Internet of Things, Blockchain
3. Legislation

Act on the Computerisation of the Operations of the Entities Performing Public Tasks
Interoperability:
Regulation on National Interoperability Framework
Key enablers:
Act on Access to Public Information, Regulation on the Manner, Scope and Mode of Access to Data Stored in a Public
Register,
Act on the Re-use of Public Sector Information,
Act on the Digital Accessibility of Websites and Mobile Applications of Public Sector Bodies
Act on Trust Services and Electronic Identification, Polish National Electronic Identification (eID) Scheme
Amendment to the Act on Identity Cards, Trust services,
Regulation on the Preparation and Provision of Electronic Documents and Making Available Forms, Samples and Copies
of Electronic Documents.
Security aspects:
Act on the National Cyber Security System, Act on the Protection of Personal Data, Act on the National Cyber Security
System
81
Act of Certain Acts Regarding Public Administration Tasks Related to Some Public Registries, Act on Identity Cards
Act on People Registration, Act on Civil Status Registration
eProcurement:
General Rules for the Law on Electronic Invoicing in Public Procurement, Public Procurement Law,
Act on Electronic Invoicing in Public Procurement Concessions for Construction Works or Services and Public-Private
Partnership
Act on Providing Services by Electronic Means, Act on Electronic Payment Instruments,
Act on the Protection of Certain Services Provided by Electronic Means Based on or Relying on Conditional Access
Amendment to the Act on the Health Information System
4. Infrastructure
Portals:
National Portals:
Portal of the Republic of Poland (RP Portal - GOV.PL), Dane.gov.pl, Geoportal, Information and Services for
Entrepreneurs,
Central Registration and Information on Business, eCourt, Government Centre for Legislation, Vehicle History eService
(CEPiK)
No subnational portal has been reported to date.
Networks:
TESTA
Data Exchange:
mCitizen
The trusted profile, National qualified trust service providers, ID Card with Electronic Layer, Commercial CAs Certificates,
National Electronic Identification Node, Commercial eSignatures
eProcurement:
Public Procurement Office portal, Information on Polish Public Procurement System, eInvoicing Infrastructure
ePayment:
Electronic Court Payments
Widok.gov.pl, Public Information Bulletin, The Integrated Analytics Platform
eIDAS Node, Single Point of Contact
Base registries:
System of State Registers (SSR), Registry of Sexual Crimes, Mortgage register

with Customers.
Portugal Digital Public Administration Factsheets 2020
2. Political
82

ICT Strategy 2020 – Public Administration Digital Transformation Strategy
SIMPLEX Programme
Portugal INCoDe.2030
Strategy for Innovation and Modernisation of the State and Public Administration
Interoperability:
Key enablers:
National Action Plan for Open Administration, Public Administration Open Data Portal
Digital Identification Mechanisms
Security aspects:
National Cyberspace Security Strategy 2019-2023
eProcurement: -
Closer Justice Plan (Justiça + Próxima), Digital Skills Training, Programme More Science, Less Bureaucracy
National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence: AI Portugal 2030, Advanced Computing Portugal 2030: ACP.2030, iSIMPLEX,
Portugal INCoDe.2030,Support System for Digital Transformation of the Public Administration (SAMA2020), ICT strategy
2020
3. Legislation

Single digital address and public service of electronic notifications
TIC APP – Centre for Digital Competences of the Public Administration
Decree-Law on Digital Services
Decree-Law on Administrative Modernisation
Decree-Law on Zero Licensing
Decree-Law on the Responsible Industry Regime
Interoperability:
Council of Ministers’ Resolution No 91/2012
Council of Ministers’ Resolution on the Interoperability Platform for the Public Administration (iAP)
Key enablers:
Law on Access to Administrative Documents, Decree-law on the accessibility of public sector’s websites and mobile
applications,
Science, Technology and Higher Education,
State Organisation Information System (SIOE)
Law on Citizen Card, Decree-Law on Electronic Signatures, Signature based on a qualified certificate, Law on the Digital
Mobile Key
Security aspects:
Law on the use of Open Standards in Public Administration Information Systems, Law on the Protection of Personal
Data,
Cybersecurity legislation
Civil Registry, Commercial Registry, Land registry, Vehicle Registry,
Sharing information between the national commercial registry and EU Member States
eProcurement:
Decree-Law on eProcurement, eInvoicing legislation, Prior opinion
83
Education legislation, Digital Skills Training, Code of Criminal Procedure, Foreign languages in civil registry,
Online certificates for organisations, Electronic processing of cases in the administrative and fiscal jurisdiction
Resolution of the Council of Ministers No 26/2018
4. Infrastructure
Proposals:
National Portals:
Government Portal, ePortugal, Portal for COVID-19 public information: EstamosOn, Open Data (Dados.gov), OGP
Portugal, Tax and Customs Authority, National Health System, Social Security - Direct Social Security, Qualifica, National
Statistics, LUA National Commission for the Promotion of the Rights and the Protection of Children and Young People,
Justice, CITIUS, REA, Online Security Accreditation, Electronic Yellow Book, Denunciar, CINERGIA, Participa, Poupa
Energia, Defence, App.gov.pt, Military Recruitment, Captaincy Online, National Defence Memory Institutions,
Entrepreneur’s Desk, Ciência Vitae, iAPEX, Simplified Business Information (IES), Public Employment Service: IEFP
OnLine, Web accessibility and usability ecosystem, Study and Research in Portugal, Directorate General for Higher
Education, Portugal Exporta, National Housing, Cultura, Public Procurement – BASE, travelBI, Local Administrations,
No portals have been reported to date
Networks:
Council for Information and Communication Technologies in Public Administration, SIMPLEX focal points network,
Interministerial Network for Administrative Modernisation, Commission for Administrative Modernisation, Citizen Spots
Innovators Network + Experimentation Labs Network, Citizen Shops
Data Exchange:
Interoperability Platform of the Public Administration (iAP), Traffic Exchange Point
Electronic Authentication Platform: Autenticacao.gov, Electronic Identity Card – Citizen Card: Cartão de Cidadão,
Mobile Identification - Digital Mobile Key: Chave Móvel Digital, Portuguese Electronic Passport (PEP)
eProcurement:
Public eProcurement platforms, Portal of Public Contracts: BASE, Electronic Invoicing Portal for the Public
Administration: FE-AP
ePayment:
Interoperability Platform of the Public Administration
Experimentation Laboratory of the Public Administration – LabX, Incentive System for Innovation in Public
Management/SIIGeP,
Online Knowledge Library : b-on, The National Bibliographic Database: PORBASE, AMA Academy
eIDAS, Recognition of Foreign Degrees and Diplomas, EU platforms
Base registries:
Interoperability Platform of the Public Administration

with Customers.
Romania Digital Public Administration Factsheets 2020
2. Political
84

National Strategy on Digital Agenda for Romania 2014-2020
Interoperability:
Approval of the Romanian Interoperability Framework
Key enablers:
Digital Identity System
Security aspects:
National Cyber Security Strategy
eProcurement: -
Public Policy in the Field of eCommerce
3. Legislation

Government Decision on the Organisation and Operation of the Electronic Point of Single Contact
Emergency Ordinance No 41/2016
Interoperability:
Draft Law on National Interoperability Framework
Key enablers:
Directive (EU) 2019/1024 on open data and the re-use of public sector information, Public Sector Information Law,
Government Ordinance on Website Accessibility of Public Sector Institutions, Government Decision No 1085/2003,
Law on Free Access to Information of Public Interest, Law on the Archiving of Documents in Electronic Form
Law on eID and Trust Services for Electronic Transactions
Security aspects:
Law on the Protection of Persons concerning the Processing of Personal Data and the Free Circulation of such Data,
Law on the Processing of Personal Data and the Protection of Privacy in the Electronic Communications Sector,
Draft Law on the Minimum Security Measures of Information Systems in Public Administration, Anti-corruption Law
Draft Law on National Electronic Registers
eProcurement:
Government Emergency Ordinance on the Award of Public Contracts, Public Works Concession Contracts and Services
Concession Contracts, Law on Public Procurement, eInvoicing Legislation,
Law approving the Government Emergency Ordinance on the awarding of public procurement contracts, public works
concession contracts and service concession contracts.
Government Decision on the Approval of Application Norms for the Award of Public Contracts by Electronic Means.
Government Decision on the approval of the Application Norms for the provisions concerning the award of the public
procurement contracts using electronic means.
Government Ordinance on the modification and completion of the Government Emergency Ordinance No 34/2006
Government Decision on Consular Services for which fees are charged and the level of consular fees at the diplomatic
missions and consular offices of Romania abroad.
Law on electronic commerce, Law on electronic registration of commercial operations, Emergency Ordinance No
62/2019,
Law on the issuance and use of electronic payment instruments and the relationship between users of such transactions,
Order on the Procedure for Approval of Payment Instruments with Remote Access,
Government Ordinance on the collection of local taxes by electronic means, Law on the electronic payment of local
taxes
85
No new legislation has been adopted in this field to date
4. Infrastructure
Portals:
National Portals:
eGovernment Portal, Electronic Point of Single Contact, Open Data Portal: data.gov.ro
No infrastructure in this field has been reported to date.
Networks:
Local Communities Electronic Networks (LCENs), Trans European Services for Telematics between Administrations
Data Exchange: -
No infrastructure in this field has been reported to date.
Interoperability System with EU Member States, Centralised Digital Identification Software Platform
eProcurement:
National eProcurement system, eInvoicing in Romania
ePayment:
National Electronic Payment System for Taxes
Base registries:
Romanian base registries, National Electronic System (NES)

with Customers.
Slovakia Digital Public Administration Factsheets 2020
2. Political

2030 Strategy for the Digital Transformation of Slovakia
2015-2020 National eGovernment Concept
2014-2020 Operational Programme “Integrated Infrastructure”
Strategic Document for Digital Growth and Next Generation Access Infrastructure (2014–2020)
Proposal for ESIF programming period 2021–2027
Interoperability:
Key enablers:
86
Security aspects:
Cybersecurity Concept of the Slovak Republic for 2015–2020
eProcurement:
IT procurement in the public administration
The Proposal for the Centralisation and Development of Data Centres in the State Administration
New technologies identified by the 2030 Digital Transformation Strategy of Slovakia
3. Legislation

Information Technologies in the Public Sector Act No 95/2019, Act No 305/2013 on eGovernment,
Amendment No 211/2019 to Act No 305/2013 on eGovernment
Interoperability:
Law against Bureaucracy Act No 177/2018
Key enablers:
Act No 211/2000 on Free Access to Public Information, Re-Use of Public Sector Information (PSI)
eSignatures
Security aspects:
Cybersecurity Act, Act No 18/2018 on Personal Data Protection, Act No. 45/2011 on Critical Infrastructure
Reference registries framework in the Act No 305/2013
eProcurement:
Act No 95/2013 on Public Procurement, eInvoicing Legislation
Act No 22/2004 on Electronic Commerce
4. Infrastructure
Portals:
National Portals:
Central Government Portal slovensko.sk., Anti-bureaucracy Portal oversi.gov.sk, Portals of public authorities,
Portal of the Deputy Prime Minister’s Office for Investments and Informatisation of the Slovak Republic,
Legislative and Information Portal Slov-Lex, CSIRT.SK (Computer Security Incident Response Team)
Public authorities’ portals
Networks:
GovNet
Data Exchange:
Oversi.sk Portal for Employees of the State Administration, Government Cloud
eID card
eProcurement:
Information System for Electronic Public Procurement (IS EVO), eInvoicing Information System
ePayment:
Payment module
Central Government Portal
eIDAS
Base registries:
87
Common Modules

with Customers.
Slovenia Digital Public Administration Factsheets 2020
2. Political

Digital Slovenia 2020 - Development Strategy for the Information Society
Public Administration 2020 – Slovenian Public Administration Development Strategy 2015-2020
Reorganisation and Centralisation of government IT
Interoperability:
National Interoperability Framework
Key enablers:
Security aspects:
Cyber Security Strategy
eProcurement: -
Blockchain Action Plan, SI-Chain – National test blockchain infrastructure, National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence,
International Research Centre on Artificial Intelligence under the Auspices of UNESCO (IRCAI)
3. Legislation

General Administrative Procedures Act
Interoperability:
Spatial Information Act
Key enablers:
Access to Public Information Act, Accessibility of Websites and Mobile Applications Act
National legislation related to eIDAS (under preparation)
Security aspects:
Information Security Act, General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), Personal Data Protection Act,
Renewal of the Identity Card Act
Business Registry legislation, Land Registry Act, Spatial Data Information Act, Population Registry, Vehicle Registry,
88
Registries regulated by the Real Estate Registration Act,
eProcurement:
Public Procurement Act, eInvoicing legislation
Amendment to Healthcare Databases Act, Protection of Documents and Archives and Archival Institutions Act,
Amendments to Tax Procedure Act
4. Infrastructure
Portals:
National Portals:
eUprava, eVEM Portal for Domestic Business Entities, GOV.SI portal, NIO Portal, EUGO Slovenia, Stop the Bureaucracy
Website,
Geoportal, National Open Data Portal (OPSI), e-JN, zVEM Portal, ePrescription, eAppointment and eReferral, eProstor
Portal,
Central Registry of Patient Data (CRPD), eDavki Portal, eCustoms Portal, Public Payments Administration Portal,
eSessions,
EU-Portal, Digital Library of Slovenia (DLib.si)
No particular infrastructure in this field has beenreported to date.
Networks:
HKOM (Fast Communications Network), zNET (Healthcare Network)
Data Exchange:
TRAY, IO-MODULE, Asynchronous Module, SKRINJA (Chest) – Business Intelligence, Semantic Text Analyser,
Geospatial Web Services
SI-PASS - Authentication and eSignature Service, Qualified Digital Certificates and smsPASS
eProcurement:
eProcurement Portal, STATIST, eSLOG standard 2.0
ePayment:
Public Payments Administration
Public Administration Academy, JEP - Electronic procedures building block, KRPAN – Document Management Building
Block
SEMPER, TOOP, DE4A
Base registries:
Beneficial Owners Register, Register of Accommodation Facilities and eTourism, Slovenian Central Register of Population
(CRP),
Register of Churches and Other Religious Communities, Register for the Media in Slovenia, Spatial Data Sets,
The National Registry of eInvoice Recipients, EUCARIS, EULIS and ECRIS

with Customers.
89
Spain Digital Public Administration Factsheets 2020
2. Political

ICT Strategic Plan for the Period 2021-2024
Digital Transformation Plan for the General Administration and Public Agencies (ICT Strategy 2015-2020)
Interoperability:
Renewal of the National Interoperability Framework (ENI)
Key enablers:
Fourth National Action Plan for Open Government
The Digital Transformation Plan for the General Administration and its Public Agencies
Security aspects:
Digital Transformation Plan for the General Administration
eProcurement:
General State Administration Plan for Green Public Procurement
Action Plans for Digital Transformation
Spanish RDI Strategy in Artificial Intelligence, State Plan for Scientific and Technical Research and Innovation 2017-2020,
Plan for Language Technology Promotion
3. Legislation

Compendium of eGovernment laws, Establishment of Electronic Relationships in Administrative Procedures,
Law on Public Administration Common Administrative Procedure and Law on the Legal Regime for the Public Sector,
Royal Decree-Law 14/2019 of 31 October adopting urgent public security measures in digital administration, public
sector procurement and telecommunications.
Royal Decree on Accessibility of Websites, Order on Electronic Voting, Regional Government legislation
Interoperability:
National Interoperability Framework
Key enablers:
Law on Transparency, Public Access to Information and Good Governance
Royal Decree on the Re-Use of Public Sector Information
Common Administrative Procedure of Public Administrations
Security aspects:
Law on the Protection of Personal Data, National Security Framework (ENS), National Cyber Strategy 2019
Implementation of Delegated EU Legislation on Technical Requirements for the Management and Maintenance of the
Central Electronic Register,
Order HFP/633/2017, regarding proxy models
eProcurement:
Law on Public Sector Contracts, Law on eInvoicing
Legislation on eJustice, Law on Information Society
No particular legislation in this field has been reported to date.
4. Infrastructure
90
Portals:
National Portals:
General Access Point - administracion.gob.es, eGovernment Portal (PAE), Data Portal, Budgetary Administration portal,
Portal de la transparencia (Transparency Portal),
Autonomous Communities and Local Governmental Portals
Public websites of the Autonomous Communities
Transparency Portal of the Autonomous Communities
Data Portal of the Autonomous Communities
Networks:
Red SARA Network, 060 Network, Trans European Services for Telematics between Administrations (TESTA)
Data Exchange:
Data Intermediation Platform, Electronic Notifications, The Interconnection Registry System (SIR)
National eID Card (DNIe), Public Certification Authority (CERES), Other Certification Authorities, CI@ve, VALIDe, eIDAS
node,
@firma – MultiPKI Validation Platform for eID and eSignature Services, @podera, Habilit@ and SEMPER Project
eProcurement:
Central Government eProcurement Platform and related services, The Centralised Contracting Portal, eClassification,
Register of Certificates, Registro de Contratos del Sector Público, Regional and Local eProcurement Platforms,
FACe electronic invoicing
ePayment:
Spanish Tax Agency Payment Platform, Payment Gateway
Administrative Information System, DIR3, InSide and ARCHIVE, Aragón Interoperable Information Scheme (EI2A)
CEF Telecommunications Funded Projects, DE4a – Digital Europe For All Project
Base registries:
Competent authorities

with Customers.
Sweden Digital Public Administration Factsheets 2020
2. Political

A Sustainable Digitalised Sweden – A Digitalisation Strategy
Digital First – a basic principle
Putting the citizen at the centre (2012 – present)
Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions (SALAR) - a new strategy for digital government
A Completely Connected Sweden by 2025 − a Broadband Strategy
Interoperability:
National standardisation strategy
Interoperable data exchange
The Swedish Framework for Digital Collaboration
Key enablers:
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Strategic initiative on open data and artificial intelligence
Nordic Mobility Action Programme 2019–2021
Security aspects:
National Cyber Security Strategy
References to the Once-Only Principle
eProcurement:
New guide from the National Agency for Public Procurement
Vision for eHealth 2025, Strategy for eHealth 2020-2022, Digital management of courts decisions, penalty and fines
European Blockchain Partnership, National approach to artificial intelligence
3. Legislation

Administrative Procedure Act
Interoperability:
Set up of technical standards for the health care system
Key enablers:
Law on accessibility to digital public services, Transposition of the Directive, Freedom of the Press Act
Law on the Re-use of Public Administration Documents, Public Access to Information and Secrecy Act
eIDAS Regulation, Law on Electronic Identification Services for Electoral Systems,
Ordinance on Common Public Sector Infrastructure for Secure Electronic Mail
Security aspects:
Protective Security Act, Transposition of NIS Directive, New Data Protection Act
Population Registration Act, Civil Registration Act, Road Traffic Registration Act, Cadastre Act, Tax Registration Act
eProcurement:
Act on Public Procurement (LOU), eInvoicing Legislation, A proposal on better public procurement statistics
eJustice Legislation, Legislation on the National Medication List,
Act on Electronic Commerce and other Information Society Services
4. Infrastructure
Portals:
National Portals:
Government portal, Verksamt.se portal: the Swedish Business Link to Government, The Swedish Geodata portal,
The Swedish Open Data portal, Openaid.se portal
Platform for co-operative use
Networks:
Swedish Government Secure Intranet (SGSI)
Data Exchange:
Secure Data Communication project
Official electronic ID card, Non-official eID cards and software-based eIDs (eLegitimation), eIDAS, Biometric passports
eProcurement:
eProcurement Virtual System, Information on coordinated public sector framework agreements, eInvoicing Standard
ePayment:
92
eKrona Project
The Platform for Co-operative Use
EUCARIS, EULIS, BRIS, e-SENS and PEPPOL, Once-Only Principle Project, Electronic Exchange of Social Security
Information
Base registries:
Base registries coordination

with Customers.
The Netherlands Digital Public Administration Factsheets 2020
2. Political

NL Digibeter: Digital Government Agenda
Dutch Digitalisation Strategy
iStrategy
Interoperability:
Policy Framework for the Further Development of the Digital Government Infrastructure
Key enablers:
Open Government Vision and Action Plan
National Data Agenda
eID Progress
Security aspects:
National Cyber Security Agenda, Government Information Security Baseline (BIO)
Dutch Base Registries System
eProcurement: -
Approach to Digitalisation in the Judiciary, Digital Agenda for Primary and Secondary Education
Public Values and Technology in Society
3. Legislation

Digital Government Law, Administrative Law, Electronic Announcement Act
Interoperability:
Key enablers:
Government Information (Public Access) Act, Re-use of Public Sector Information (PSI)
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The Electronic Signature Act
Security aspects:
Digital Government Law, General Data Protection Regulation
Persons Base Registry and the BRP Law, Trade Registry Act, Unique Identifying Numbers Law
eProcurement:
Procurement Act, eInvoicing Legislation
Services Act, SUWI act
Experimental Law on Self-driving vehicles
4. Infrastructure
Portals:
National Portals:
Overheid.nl: Government Portal, Ondernemersplein: Business Portal, Cooperating Catalogues, Portal for Business
Services,
Mijnoverheid.nl: Portal for Personal Services, Digipoort, The Dutch Open Data Portal
Overheid.nl
Networks:
National API Strategy
Diginetwerk
Data Exchange:
Data Exchange Services of the Base Registries System
Standard Business Reporting
DigiD
DigiD Mandate
Administrative facility BSN
eRecognition
PKI Overheid
eProcurement:
PIANOo
Tenderned
NLCIUS
ePayment: -
No particular government infrastructure in this field has been reported to date
RADIO
NORA
Gebruiker Centraal
Open Standards
eIDAS Koppelpunt
Base registries:
System of Base Registries

with Customers.
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Appendix 3
Analysis by DESI
 Greece:
Greece ranks 27th out of the 28 EU Member States in the European Commission Digital Economy
and Society Index (DESI) 2020, as well as the same position (27) on the dimension of Digital public
services. However, it is expected to improve since the Commission has approved the ambitious
ultra-fast broadband infrastructure project, which will contribute to achieving Greece’s digital
ambitions. Overall, the country made the most progress compared to the previous year on the
Digital Public Services chapter, but still remain below the EU average.
The new Ministry of Digital Governance gained strategic importance and was given the mandate to
design, coordinate and implement the new strategy for digital transformation of the country. The
government is responsible for providing digital services to citizens and businesses based on
simplified administrative procedures. It is also responsible for ensuring the interoperability of
processes with all other ministries and government agencies. The objective is to transform Greece
into ‘digital by default’ by 2023.
Therefore, the government revised its national digital strategy 2016-2021. The new strategy, the
‘Digital Transformation Bible’ has been already launched. The new strategy combined with a strong
governance model to coordinate implementation with all entities concerned. It also plans the
coordinated implementation of major IT projects, some over the short term, the so-called ‘Quick-
win’ projects, others will need a longer-term preparation.
Some significant initiations are:
 the intangible prescription where citizens can receive the details of the prescription
prescribed by their doctor via text message (sms) and/or e-mail stating and not in the form
of physical form (printed prescription)
 The simplification of procedures regarding life events, such as the birth declaration now
made in maternity hospitals,
 Citizen identification strategies and new identities,
 Telecommunications and the 5G spectrum auction
 Digital skills
It must be underlined the role of the Digital Citizens' Academy, the digital platform in which
214 educational programs have been gathered, providing 1,800 hours of free digital skills
training, by 32 providers, for each level of knowledge, while there is a plan to enrich to
address and specialized in groups of citizens, such as pupils, students, unemployed etc.
 The availability of dozens of anonymized open data sets of the Greek State that will be
available free of charge to citizens and businesses of the country.
 Cybersecurity, emphasizing that citizens' trust in the system is a necessary condition
On connectivity, overall fixed broadband take-up is still progressing in a slow pace but the country is
progressing at a very high pace in fast broadband (NGA) coverage showing a substantial progress of
15 percentage points over last year. It is expected to improve since the Commission has approved
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the ambitious ultra-fast broadband infrastructure project, which will contribute to achieving
Greece’s digital ambitions.
Moreover, the country has finally started engaging in the deployment of very high-capacity
networks and its fixed very high-capacity network coverage reached 7% from 0% one year before,
still however far below the EU average.
The major broadband infrastructure project and the main priority for Greece is ‘Ultra-Fast
Broadband’ (UFBB), which aims to help the country fill the gaps on very-high-speed connectivity and
achieve its gigabit society targets. Greece expects that this project will bring new wholesale-only
players to the market and will unlock cross-sector synergies. Greece also considers a ‘Submarine
Cable Scheme’ to work towards its gigabit society targets for the Greek islands, promote digital
cohesion, and establish adequate backhauling facilities. The project may cover 43 submarine links
running to a total length of 2,400 Km and an international link between Rhodes and Cyprus. The
project budget is estimated €100 million. The superfast broadband project (SFBB), which aims to
stimulate demand and support citizens in providing a very high capacity (VHC) network service (at
high internet speeds from 100 Mbps upgradable to 1 Gbps). Greece is one of the successful Member
States in the WiFi4EU first call as it won 117 vouchers (about 40% of applications). The ministry is
preparing a complementary project (WiFi for GR), with enhanced technical specifications that aims
to extend public WiFi availability. The project budget is €15 million and it will be funded from the
ESIF (ERDF).
The ministry launched a new study to prepare a 5G strategy, which will be finalised by mid-2020.
Greece scores 0 in the 5G readiness indicator. Under its new ambitious digital strategy, Greece is
working to address the delays in implementing the projects and in absorbing the funds allocated.
Timely implementation of the ‘Ultra-Fast Broadband’ (UFBB) project and creating the right
conditions for investment will improve its digital competitiveness. Tackling the significant delays in
proceedings for antenna-permit granting under the new law and promoting 5G development will
improve the country’s digital status. For the 5G roll-out to be a success, it is crucial to implement the
5G strategy and assig the 5G pioneer bands (700 MHz, 3.6 GHz and 26 GHz) without delay.
Greece improved its scores on the human capital chapter making progress in almost all of the
related indicators. For the first time, the percentage of individuals with at least basic digital skills is
over 50%. Greece placed the development of digital skills for citizens at the core of the new digital
transformation strategy coordinated by the Ministry of Digital Governance. The objective is to
facilitate the use of public services by all citizens, and to equip them with the skills needed for future
jobs.
Since mid-2019, the Department of Digital Economy and Digital Skills under the General Secretariat
of Digital Governance and Simplification of Procedures is responsible for the National Coalition for
Digital Skills and Jobs and for digital skills for civil servants, via the National Centre for Public
Administration & Local Government.
In February 2020, the government relaunched the Greek National Coalition for digital skills and jobs-
established in 2018-under the Coordination of the Ministry of Digital Governance to attract further
partners and build the synergies needed to address the digital skills gaps. The Coalition’s members,
already include several ministries as well as the Federation of Hellenic Information Technology &
Communications Enterprises. The government encourages participation of other stakeholders from
he private sector, including SMEs, universities and research centers, which are currently
underrepresented in the Coalition. One of the Coalition’s actions in 2019 was to promote EU Code
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Week, with positive results. Greek schools participated extensively in the 2019 edition of EU Code
Week. Greece put on 891 activities across the country, 2.5 times more than in 2018.
In April 2019, Greece signed the EU Declaration on Women and Digital to take action to include
more women in the digital sector and increase women’s visibility and empowerment in the digital
economy.
In 2020, the Ministry of Education elaborated on a digital education action plan covering the
revision of curricula and digital education resources for primary, secondary and special-needs
children. The ministry also plan to equip students with the tools they need to prepare for the future
labour market. In particular, the ministry plans to offer a basic certificate for IT skills for 15-year-old
students to have at least basic digital skills.
The shortage of digital skills both, at basic and advanced level, remains a major obstacle for Greece
in digitally transforming its society and the economy. The coordinated approach launched in 2019
will boost the impact of existing and new initiatives to equip citizens and workers with digital skills
and close the gender gap so that they can all draw benefit from the ongoing digital transformation.
Overall, the use of internet services in Greece is well below the EU average. However, the number of
internet users is growing and a large percentage of them are keen to carry out in a range of online
activities.
On the Integration of digital technology by business, Greece ranks 24th in the EU. The number of
enterprises in Greece that share electronic information sharing continues to rise and remains above
the EU average. In 2019, Greece’s Growth Strategy is still on-going and digitisation remains a high-
priority. A project funded by the European Commission under the Structural Reform Programme will
deliver conclusions to the General Secretariat for Industry of the Ministry of Development and
Investment on a ‘Digital Transformation of the Greek Industry’ strategy for 2021-2027, primarily
focusing on industry and manufacturing.
In 2019, Greece made progress in terms of the digital services provided to start a business. It
developed services on the electronic One-Stop-Shop platform significantly reducing the time it takes
to set up a business. It made progress on licensing and inspection for all sectors of the economy by
passing new legislation supported and implemented by digital technologies and applications. In
2020, the Ministry of Development and Investment plans to launch an on-line self-assessment tool
for SMEs to enable them to estimate their stage of digitisation.
The Hellenic Development Bank created two funding schemes that aim to support digital
development of businesses:
 the programme ‘Business Innovation Greece’ for projects in Green Industry Innovation, Blue
Growth and ICT, and
 the Programme ‘4th Industrial Revolution’ to invest in new or existing SMEs to develop
products and services related to digital technology.
Another source of funding for digitising enterprises is the Operational Programme ‘Competitiveness,
Entrepreneurship and Innovation’ (ΕΠΑνΕΚ) under the European Regional Development Fund.
As at December 2019, Greece continues to show commitment to advancing new digital technologies
- in line with the Digital Europe Programme - by signing the Quantum Declaration of cooperation to
develop and deploy a European Quantum Communication Infrastructure. Following the signature of
the declaration on cooperation on Artificial Intelligence (AI) in 2018, Greece is now developing a
national strategy on AI, consulting stakeholders, and working on issues related to data collection
and quality, ethical dimension of AI and skills for AI.
At the beginning of 2020, Greece has 14 Digital Innovation Hubs (9 fully operational, and 5 more in
preparation) covering several market sectors as:
97
 agriculture,
 fishing,
 construction,
 manufacturing,
 transport and
 electricity
through a wide spectrum of advanced technologies such as:
 additive manufacturing,
 AI
 cognitive systems,
 cybersecurity
 blockchain,
 big data and
 photonics.
Greece has acknowledged the need for the country to have a strategy for the digital transformation
of the Greek industry. Such a strategy would boost the digital transformation of the Greek economy
and capture the full range of benefits from the adoption of digital technologies.
In the Digital public services dimension, Greece ranks 27th in the EU well below the EU average, but
it recorded 5.1 points increase on the previous year.
In 2019, the new Ministry of Digital Governance pursue a wide-ranging legislative reform agenda to
accelerate the implementation of new digital processes and services. In particular, the ‘Executive
State’ law seeks to streamline the administration by bringing together and reorganising disparate
provisions governing the operations of the State to improve cooperation between ministries,
including in their implementation of core IT systems. Closely connected to the digital transformation
strategy of the country, the national program for administrative simplification is the central
intergovernmental framework that aims to reduce administrative burden by simplifying and
digitising administrative processes. It created the legal framework governing the interoperability of
public registries needed to set up a single interface for the main registries, enabling a continuous
update of data and a unique entry of new records. The first step is the simplification and digitisation
of a number of procedures related to key life events, starting with the birth certificate. As of
February 2020, birth declarations can be completed at the hospital.
Since March 2020, the launch of the e-government portal “Gov.gr” consolidates and provides all
information related to public services and official documents from different public services.
In 2019, Greece continued to develop and integrate modules, such as the Electronic Health Record
for Primary Healthcare (EHR4PH), the National Medical Appointment Management System (eRDV),
in the e-health public services, which started with the national e-prescription system. In 2019, it was
the biggest e-government application handling up to 850,000 transactions per day.
Greece passed a law in 2019 to consolidate its two-current e-clouds, with the objective to extend
overall capacity and to host all information from the public service on a single government e-cloud
by 2022.
In 2019, the National Cyber security authority (established in 2017) became the responsibility of
Ministry for Digital Governance which started to upgrade it. During 2020 the National Cybersecurity
strategy (first published in 2018) will be updated focusing on the ICT systems security policy for the
public sector, cooperation with the competent Independent and Regulatory Authorities, the
European Network and Information Security Agency and academics. It will work on adopting
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uniform security policies within the public administration, promoting training and providing
information to staff managing and support critical government systems and infrastructures.
Effective process simplification and reducing administrative burden on citizens, businesses and
public administration remains the biggest challenge of the new digital governance of the state.
Properly implemented, it will contribute to increase competitiveness, productivity, investment as
well as citizen engagement.
 Austria:
Austria ranks 13th out of 28 EU Member States in DESI 2020. While Austria remains slightly above
the EU average, the distance to the best performing countries has increased. Based on data prior to
the pandemic, out of the five dimensions of DESI, Austria is above average in digital public services
and human capital and below in connectivity, use of internet services and integration of digital
technology.
“Digital public services” is the DESI dimension that Austria performs best in. Austria ranks 8th among
EU countries, above the EU average.
In order to reduce the administrative burden, Austria introduced the “once only” principle, whereby
companies only have to submit information only once, and government departments exchanged
data among themselves and hence do not ask the company again. The Austrian One-Stop
eGovernment Portal for businesses (Unternehmensserviceportal - www.usp.gv.at) offers about 50 e-
Government services for companies on one website with a single sign-in. The information concerns
amongst other things taxation, the creation of companies, questions about hiring as well as sector
specific information. Additionally, all public tenders are announced in the one-stop platform USP
giving SMEs free and unlimited access to tender from 7000 public authorities.
The portal Digital Austria (digitalaustria.gv.at) offers also SMEs relevant information and an
overview of government support schemes. In 2019, government continued the initiatives
concerning digital public services. A revised one stop platform for government services
(oesterreich.gv.at) went online in March 2019. The portal has been expanded with the introduction
of new services for citizens (e.g. baby point and relocation) and relaunched under the new name of
oesterreich.gv.at. Moreover, in 2019 a chatbot named “Mona” and a dedicated mobile app (Digital
Office App) were launched to improve the service quality of Austria’s most used e-Government
portal for citizens.
According to the Austrian E-Government Act, on 1 January 2020, the right to electronic
correspondence with the public administration entered into force. Citizens now have the
opportunity of handling their contacts with the authorities electronically and entirely without a
break in media. Austrian administrations are obliged to offer the possibility to send important
documents electronically.
Austria aims at joining the “Digital 10”, the network of the 10 most digitally advanced nations,
already included Estonia, Israel, New Zealand, South Korea, UK, Canada, Uruguay, Mexico, Portugal
and recently Denmark. The government programme of January 2020 continues to emphasize
Austria’s ambition to be a digitally advanced nation.
The public sector is digitally advanced compared to its EU peers, and an additional focus on open
data and e-Government users will help Austria to join the Top 5 in the DESI ranking for digital public
services.
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Austria ranks 22nd on the overall connectivity indicator. The Austrian Broadband Strategy 2030,
adopted in August 2019, seeks to achieve nationwide access to Gigabit-capable broadband services
(fixed and mobile) by the end of 2030. The government is working on the development of a new
funding model as part of the strategy, with the funds expected to come from the proceeds of past
and upcoming 5G spectrum auctions.
The Austrian Broadband Strategy 2030, which also covers 5G aims to ensure 5G coverage along all
main traffic routes by the end of 2023 and nationwide coverage of 5G by the end of 2025. Austria
has strong ambitions to become a pioneer in the roll-out of 5G and consumers already have access
to limited commercial 5G offers. Notwithstanding, the country has a very high level of mobile
coverage, it scores below the EU average for fixed very high-speed broadband coverage and take-
up.
Public policy initiatives may therefore play an important role in future improving connectivity in
country.
In the human capital, Austria ranks 9th out of 28 EU countries and is above the EU average in all
underline indicators. It actively participated in the Code Week and the number of activities more
than doubled, which places Austria among the best EU performers. Additionally, to the “Digital Basic
Education” subject in the schools of the lower secondary level in 2018/16, all Austrian pupils will
acquire digital skills. Ongoing digital initiatives such as digi.check or fit4internet continued, they help
pupils and adults to self-assess their digital skills, and offer information on training courses and
financial support to improve one’s digital skills.
In autumn 2019, three digital innovation hubs began operations. These also help SMEs to improve
their staff’s digital skills. A new platform promoting digital jobs was launched in partnership with
stakeholders. Following a call, 35 universities will receive €50m for projects related to the digital
transformation.
Use of internet services in Austria is below the EU average and it is the weakest dimension of the
DESI. As regards the integration of digital technology into the activity of businesses Austria ranks
17th among EU countries. In 2019, Austria renewed its SME Digital programme offering SMEs up to
9.000 € in support for the analysis of their digital potential.
Existing programmes such as The Global Incubator Network Austria (GIN) linking Austrian and
international start-ups, investors, incubators and accelerators with a focus on selected hotspots in
Asia continues its work. Another is the JumpStart programme supporting start-up incubators and
their start-ups in order to allow innovative and technology-focused business ideas to quickly reach
their market.
To further boost the digital transformation of the Austrian economy, it is important to raise
awareness among SMEs of the relevance of digitisation and to increase the adoption of digital tools.
This will enable SMEs to reap the full range of benefits from adopting digital technologies. Many of
the measures mentioned above measures are already boosting the digital transformation of the
Austrian economy, but additional measures targeting SMEs in particular in relation to cloud and big
data may be crucial to unlock the full potential for growth stemming from the adoption of digital
technologies.
The responsibility for Austria's eGovernment strategy-policy lies with the Federal Minister for Digital
and Economic Affairs in the Federal Ministry for Digital and Economic Affairs. The Federal Minister is
also responsible for ‘Economic Policy”, Innovation and Technology’, ‘External Trade Policy &
European Integration’ and the maintenance and use of 2 numerous ‘Historic Buildings’.
Furthermore, the Federal Minister is responsible for coordinating tasks in the field of digitisation.
With regard to the digitisation issues the Federal Minister is supported by the various bodies of all
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relevant actors, such as the Platform Digital Austria as well as by administrative units within the
Federal Ministry for Digital and Economic Affairs.
 Belgium:
Belgium ranks 9th out of 28 EU Member States in the Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI)
2020. The figures measuring progress in e-government show varied results. The Belgian authorities
have been promoting digital public services resulting in Belgium being on a par with other Member
States. However, the uptake of these services by citizens is definitely below the potential.
The country shows a mixed performance in connectivity. While the country performs well in
deploying fast and very high-capacity networks, it is lagging behind in 5G readiness. While Belgium
still performs well in the coverage of fixed and mobile broadband, reflecting mainly the wide
availability of upgraded legacy networks, it risks lagging behind in 5G deployment due to the 5G
pioneer bands not being assigned in good time, and other factors negatively affecting the
deployment of wireless networks.
The Belgian authorities, both at federal and regional level, have made clear efforts to tackle the
wide digital skills gap – both in the education systems and in the labor market. Despite the initiatives
put in place and the success of several smaller scale projects, the numbers still do not really show a
significant improvement in this very important area. The number of citizens in Belgium who have
never used the internet continued to fall in 2019. There is a slow but steady improvement in relation
to online activities – both for work and leisure.
The need for a more digitally skilled workforce remains an issue in Belgium. While Belgium has not
yet adopted a nationwide, comprehensive digital skills strategy, every community and region has
specific policy instruments in place, which aim to address the digital skills shortages at various levels
of education.
While the more recent ones still need more time to have an impact, more mature ones such as the
Digital School in Wallonia or the Action Plan for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics
(STEM) in Flanders show promising results: schools in the French speaking community are better
supplied with digital equipment and, since the STEM action plan was implemented, 1300 more
pupils in Flanders follow STEM courses, with more and more girls getting involved in STEM as well.
Furthermore, Belgium was active in EU Code Week with 265 events in 2019.
There are clear efforts to promote inclusion and a better gender balance in the digital sector. In April
2019, Belgium signed the European declaration on ‘promoting greater participation of women in
digital’ and it also launched the national 'Women in Digital' Action Plan where the federal and
regional authorities work together to achieve their goals. Furthermore, in 2019, the government of
the Brussels-Capital Region hired a digital inclusion coordinator.
Despite the abovementioned efforts, it remains important that there is a more coordinated action
from all stakeholder groups – both public and private - to face the specific challenge of a digital skills
shortage posed by digital transformation.
Belgium is among the leading EU Member States when it comes to using digital technology for
business. Initiatives both at federal and regional level have helped companies to become more and
more digital.
Belgium scores close to the EU average in digital public services in two of the indicators: open data
and online service completion. The digital public services offered to businesses – both domestic and
cross-border – are slightly above the EU average. Despite these relatively average performances,
there is an upward trend, especially in e-government services for businesses with an impressive
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increase of 12 percentage points. However, despite these achievements, the percentage of e-

government users is very low and significantly below the EU average.
The development of digital public services continued in Belgium throughout 2019. The Digital
Transformation Office launched the beCEPS e-platform to help contracting authorities in public
procurements. According to the Flemish ‘public cloud first’ strategy, a public cloud solution is to be
evaluated first before other technical solutions are to be taken into consideration.
The Flemish government continues to develop the digital platform for entrepreneurs with more and
more useful functionalities and plan to conduct a communication campaign in 2020 to promote the
site. Initiatives have been launched or are being tested to improve other e-government features
such as the ‘E-box entrepreneurs’ project. The digitalisation of regional government services is being
financed through ‘Flanders Radically Digital’, a dedicated investment programme which aims to
completely digitise Flemish governmental services.
The IrisBox application has been updated with new features and the Brussels-Capital region will
continue to promote the digitalisation of public services under a new plan between 2019 and 2024.
In 2019, there was a significant increase among municipalities in Smart City initiatives in Wallonia
and both Wallonia and the Brussels-Capital Region started to address the challenges related to
building and urban planning as well as environmental permits. The Brussels-Capital Region has
updated its Nova Citizen platform to allow citizens to track their planning and environmental permit
files. The region also plans to set up a single portal for online permit applications. Wallonia intends
to digitize administrative procedures for urban planning, first by testing in a limited number of
municipalities.
The challenges related to the digitisation of the judiciary remain unresolved.
The Belgian authorities – both at federal and regional level – are working hard to develop digital
public services in several fields. However, new initiatives may also be required to increase the
uptake of e- government services among citizens.
 Bulgaria:
Bulgaria ranks 28th out of the 28 EU countries in the DESI for 2020. Although its overall score has
risen it now ranks lower than before because the country has not performed particularly well on
some aspects, while EU peers have improved their performance on certain indicators.
It has made significant improvements in e-government, with rising numbers of users and a high
score in providing digital public services for business. The performance of the integration of digital
technology is also well below average compared to 28 EU level and also Bulgarian firms are not yet
taking full advantage of the opportunities online commerce offers.
Ιn connectivity, the country performs relatively well, specifically as regards the wide availability of
ultrafast and mobile broadband networks. Bulgaria still has a gap to fill in fixed broadband network
deployment to reach the EU average. It ranks at the bottom in overall broadband take-up with only
58% households subscribing and 25th on take-up of high-speed fixed broadband of at least 100
Mbps, with only limited progress year after year.
Bulgaria has delayed the adoption of its new broadband plan. Nevertheless, the development and
deployment of high-speed networks is set as a priority in Bulgaria’s National Development
Programme (NDP) Bulgaria 2030. In line with the national priorities set in NDP, the new plan will
focus on:
 deploying high-speed networks, especially broadband in rural areas
 effective assignment of the spectrum for wireless broadband and 5G
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 accelerated development and take-up of broadband - dependent services such as cloud, IoT,
etc. and
 the development of digital skills and services.
The WiFi4EU initiative and the possibilities of building free high-speed and high- quality wireless
internet connection in public spaces was quite successful. Bulgaria adopted a new legal framework
aiming at simplifying the investment process rules and implement cost-reduction measures,
including the introduction of a Single Information Point.
Bulgaria scores 0 on the 5G readiness indicator. Overall, it has assigned only 14% of the spectrum for
wireless broadband. However, Bulgaria has taken preparatory steps for the deployment of spectrum
for 5G networks with the update of the National Radio Spectrum Allocation Plan in September 2019.
In addition, the Communications Regulation Commission (CRC) was successful in its efforts to reduce
the high annual spectrum use fees (2G, 3G and 4G) as the Council of Ministers approved it in March
2020.
Although Bulgaria has made some progress on digital public services, it remains in 23rd position of
DESI 28 EU in 2020. The outdated legal framework remains the major obstacle to its widespread use.
Bulgaria is continuing to perform well in providing digital public services for businesses. However,
the number of e-government users has stalled at last year’s level and the gap with the EU average
has thus widened. The government has made significant progress in implementing its strategy to
develop e-government. The strategic framework is in place. The state e-government agency
provides financial support for implementing the 2019-2023 updated strategy for electronic
governance in Bulgaria.
Three types of infrastructure services are provided to central and local administrative bodies:
 communication connectivity with the unified electronic communications network,
 communication and information infrastructure as a cloud service in the state hybrid private
cloud, and
 joint leasing of communication and information equipment in state e-government agency
data centers.
Bulgaria’s registry information exchange system - RegiX enables administrative bodies to access data
in the registers and databases of other public sector services. However, the outdated legal
framework is a major hurdle to its widespread use. In 2019, digital public services for businesses
improved significantly. There has been a delay in introducing the new identity documents with
electronic identification and electronic signatures, and little progress has been made over the past
year.
Overcoming delays in the reform process associated with the implementation of the strategy could
help achieve significant improvements in digital public administration.
The coordination of efforts between state institutions at all levels of government, as well as the
active involvement of all key stakeholders, including the business community, trade unions, civil
society and the technical Internet community, in this process, is crucial.
In human capital Bulgaria has moved up two steps in the ranking. However, the overall level of basic
digital skills in Bulgaria is among the EU’s lowest. Only 11% of people have above basic skills,
equivalent to a third of the EU average.
The education system is currently being modernised. Although reforms do not fully capture the
magnitude of the digital transformation, there is greater focus on improving digital skills levels.
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Government support for training in STEM and ICT faculties has brought about a revised school
curriculum. Computer modelling was introduced in the third year of school, starting in the 2018-
2019 school year. There are now more classes with IT profiles in upper secondary school, such as the
national programme “Education for IT careers”.
In the context of the higher-education reform, there are measures to increase cooperation between
education institutions and businesses. The European Social Fund supports specific action to update
university curricula in line with labour market needs. Student numbers in ICT show a slight increase,
but remain low in science, mathematics and physics.
The national programme entitled “Ensuring a contemporary educational environment” is investing

in specialised equipment for study rooms, laboratories and workshops for both science education in
general education and specialised training of students in chemistry, physics, astronomy,
environmental protection, biology and health education.
There are several activities designed to develop digital skills, involving a variety of stakeholders.
Examples include private companies providing free training in coding or an online course in cyber
hygiene for schoolchildren, developed in collaboration with the State eGovernment Agency. The
Bulgarian Digital National Alliance organises activities designed to boost digital skills among the
general public. In 2019, EU Code Week Bulgaria organised 615 events with around 47.000
participants. Bulgaria also has a national jobs and skills coalition.
Negative demographic trends and rising skill shortages suggest that Bulgaria needs more investment
in the skilling, upskilling and reskilling of its current and future labour force. The need to upskill and
reskill the adult population is high, while participation in adult learning is low. A high level of even
basic digital skills is a prerequisite for the uptake of technology. The national programme “Digital
Bulgaria 2025” mentions improving ICT competencies of the labour force and boosting the number
of qualified ICT specialists. Other strategic documents also single out improving digital skills in the
general public as a priority among Bulgaria’s digital transformation policies. Targeted, specific
policies should follow in the short term to alleviate skills shortages.
 Croatia:
Croatia ranks 20th out of 28 EU Member States in the Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI)
2020. Among all dimensions, the country ranks highest in integration of digital technology by
enterprises and SMEs with ninth highest score in selling online cross-border to other EU Member
States. Croatian enterprises are progressively integrating digital technologies into their business.
With 23% of enterprises at a high or very high level of digital intensity, Croatia is slightly below the
EU average of 26%.
Regarding connectivity, the country continued its steady progress. Croatian authorities are drawing
up a national plan for broadband development for 2021-2027, which should be aligned with the
gigabit society targets. Although there continue to be delays in implementing two national, EU-co-
financed NGN (next-generation network) schemes, Croatia made some progress in broadband
infrastructure in 2019. Firstly, 2 out of 3 selection phases were completed in the national
programme for the development of broadband-access infrastructure in areas of no commercial
interest. There are now 21 pre-selected project proposals for this programme covering 126
municipalities and 903.774 inhabitants.
Croatia scores 0% in the 5G readiness indicator. The country still lacks a dedicated comprehensive
strategy for 5G deployment, which is a pre-requisite for future assignment procedures.
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In human capital, the country scored 13th place, with the sixth-highest share of ICT graduates in the
EU. However, 18% of Croatians have never used internet. In 2019, the reform of the education
curricula (the ‘School for life’ programme) was rolled out after a pilot in 2018. The reform aims to
introduce a learning-outcomes approach, increasing the quality of education and teaching. The
reform is now being implemented in all primary and secondary schools, and is scheduled to be
completed in all grades by 2022.
The e-Schools programme aims to introduce ICT into the school system, raising the level of digital
literacy to prepare students for the jobs market or further education. The second phase has already
started and is building up from the results of an initial pilot programme. Through the project, Croatia
will equip schools with specialised computer labs. It will also provide tablets for each student and
promote digital textbooks or interactive applications in learning and teaching. The ongoing second
phase will focus on e-services, including data-mining information systems, virtual classrooms, and e-
resources. There are also extensive training and mentoring sessions for teachers to encourage them
to use digital learning materials in the classroom.
The Algebra University College is the largest private education institution in Croatia. It focuses on
applied knowledge, entrepreneurship and self-employment in the digital sector. It is also a strong
supporter of Croatia’s start-up ecosystem. In 2020, it will be a partner of MIT’s (the Massachusetts
Institute of Technology) Innovation & Entrepreneurship Bootcamp, a major international event for IT
students and entrepreneurs. The bootcamp is an accelerated-learning program for students to learn
and practice the leadership and innovation principles taught at MIT.
The National Digital Skills and Jobs Coalition cooperate with businesses, educational institutions, and
the public and private sectors in Croatia. Croatia actively participated in EU Code Week in 2019,
doubling the number of Code Week activities to 891 and increasing participation to almost 30.000
people, 47% of whom were women.
The Central State Office for the Development of the Digital Society is leading the coordination of the
EU’s Declaration of Commitment on Women in Digital. The office organised its first event in 2019 to
encourage girls and young women to consider choosing an IT career and enrolling in STEM studies
(Postani i TI, djevojka IT!). Successful women from academia and the IT business sector took part in
the event to act as role models. More events are planned in 2020 across the country.
Croatia continues to nurture digital skills through various educational reforms and programmes.
Increasing the number of specialists and focusing strongly on reskilling and upskilling is important if
Croatia is to tap the full potential offered by the digital economy.
The government is committed to promoting and investing in digital technologies, through EU-
coordinated programmes. It is a member of the EuroHPC Joint Undertaking and it signed the
Declaration on cooperation on Artificial Intelligence (AI) in 2018. In 2019, Croatia also joined the
European Blockchain Partnership and will further adopt and integrate blockchain technology into its
day-to-day operations.
The national plan for the development of AI is in draft stage. The plan will tackle challenges,
priorities and goals for the further development of AI. Croatia also plans to launch other initiatives in
the AI area, including drafting a separate document on applying AI in the economy. In 2019, Croatia
set up the Center for Artificial Intelligence (CAI), a research center for AI, which brings together
more than 100 researchers from 18 research laboratories at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and
Computing of the University of Zagreb. The CAI aims to advance the theoretical foundations and
applications of AI. It also aims to strengthen collaboration with industry through the transfer of AI
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technology to develop new, innovative, knowledge-based products and services. Another goal of the
CAI is to provide cutting-edge AI education at the undergraduate, graduate and doctoral levels.
Croatia is also preparing both a national plan for digital transformation of the economy and a
national platform for the digitisation of industry.
The platform aims to:
(i) provide supporting conditions for networking opportunities;
(ii) help businesses to prepare for Industry 4.0
(iii) digitise public administration and
(iv) develop technical and security standards.
The Innovation Centre Nikola Tesla (ICENT) works to boost Croatia’s high-tech economy, focusing on
energetics, automation, robotics, biomedical engineering, and ICT. The center offers various types of
support, including:
 helping develop start-ups’ new products
 prototype and quality testing, and
 advising in training and certification.
To boost the digital transformation of the Croatian economy, it is important to continue to support
the digitisation of SMEs and the uptake of advanced technologies. In particular, attention should be
paid to start-up ecosystems, businesses in disadvantaged regions, and female digital entrepreneurs.
On digital public services, Croatia ranks 25th out of the EU countries. It has a high level of online
interaction between public authorities and members of the public. Croatia has continued its efforts
to modernise and improve e-government services. In 2019, the e- Citizen platform increased the
number of services it offers. The Shared Service Center (SSC) will consolidate the information
infrastructure and enable a joint use of ICT resources across all public sector bodies.
Two new platforms were made available in 2019. eFees represents a horizontal component, which
will enable electronic payment of administrative fees and charges, and in later stages the payment
of other types of fees (for example court or notary fees) in public electronic services. The platform is
currently being set up, and is expected to start using the horizontal components in 2020. eFees will
also help to further strengthen the judicial system, as set out in the Ministry of Justice’s strategic
plan for 2020-2022.
eBusiness gives business users a single point of access to electronic services. These services range
from document downloading (for tax administration, health insurance, and pensions) to secure
electronic communication via business users’ mailboxes. First e-services will be integrated into the
platform starting from 2020.
The country organised several informative and promotional campaigns in 2019. These included
discussions on 5G, where the government teamed up with telecom operators. The government also
promoted use of electronic identity cards (eID), the e-Citizen system, and the My Administration
portal.
Croatia was an early adopter of cross-border e-prescriptions. Croatian doctors can send and receive
e-prescriptions across borders, and receive the patient summaries of citizens from other European
countries.
e-Services for the public and businesses that are more user-friendly and easier to access could lead
the way to even more improvements in digital public administration. Additional measures to
promote the use of e- government services could boost take-up of these e-services.
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 Cyprus:
Cyprus ranks 24th out of the 28 EU Member States in the 2020 Digital Economy and Society Index
(DESI). Cyprus has improved its results on all DESI dimensions, although it still scores below the EU
average. Country has made most progress in connectivity and use of internet.
The Cypriot authorities are in the process of updating the national broadband plan for the period
2021-2025 and aim to have it ready by mid-2021. An important element of this new plan is to
expand ultra-high-speed networks, looking into using EU funding and focusing on digitally excluded,
rural areas. Meanwhile, Cypriot authorities continue to implement demand stimulating measures as
part of the 2019-2020 national broadband plan. They include awareness campaigns, e-government
projects and subsidies for new or upgraded subscriptions to ultra-fast speed networks.
All major operators are keen to invest in 5G, having in mind that national authorities have set
concrete targets for the award of 5G spectrum. Currently, Cyprus scores 0% on the 5G readiness
indicator as it has not assigned any of the pioneer bands. Cyprus is boosting its coverage of very
high-speed networks and increasing its ability to benefit from the digital economy. The main
challenges in improving take-up of high-speed broadband continue, stemming from a number of
factors including the lack of demand and the retail pricing structure adopted by the operators,
according to the Cypriot authorities.
The level of basic digital skills remains below the EU average though Cyprus has made progress since
2018. The ‘Cyprus National Reform Programme’ focuses on digital entrepreneurship, digital skills,
women in digital and the national plan for the Cypriot National Coalition for Digital Skills and Jobs.
The government has taken several initiatives based on the programme’s objectives on digital skills. It
is developing initiatives based on the European Commission’s 2018 country-specific
recommendations (CSRs)’.
The Human Resource Development Authority of Cyprus promotes digital skills building via a number
of actions to improve and update the ICT knowledge and skills of company employees. The actions
include single and multi-company training programmes. The Cyprus Pedagogical Institute is
implementing a number of ICT-related actions promoting training for schoolteachers and other
executives at various levels. In this context and in cooperation with the Department of Electronic
Communications, the Institute introduced a programme for the training of teachers for the use of
digital technologies in classrooms. Additionally, and in line with the CSRs, Cyprus provides ICT
classes to the public at its Adult Education Centers, as part of its strategy to provide lifelong learning
opportunities.
Additionally, The European Commission funds several initiatives, such as the ‘Youth Board of Cyprus’
that aims to develop and boost young people’s entrepreneurial skills through education and
practical training and through a special network of mentors. The European Commission is providing
funding of €300.000 through the European Structural Funds.
Furthermore, the Cypriot National Coalition for Digital Skills and Jobs is running actions on digital
skills development, including with industry, employer associations, labor unions and representatives
of the education sector. The Coalition’s action plan ran until the end of 2019 and aimed to promote
the take-up and improvement of digital skills to address the anticipated future mismatch between
ICT professionals available and job vacancies. The Digital Champion for Cyprus in close cooperation
with the Department of Electronic Communications are in the process of renewing the Coalition’s
action plan. The new action plan will incorporate action proposed by its stakeholders (private and
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public institutions, ICT companies, and academia) on education, certification and awareness, aiming
to promote digital skills for the whole population.
Cyprus participated in the 2019 EU Code Week, which attracted a total of 4.2 million participants to
participate in over 72,000 activities in over 80 countries around the world. Cyprus doubled the
number of activities (72) compared to 2018, and attracted 6.772 participants.
The Department of Labor Relations is carrying out initiatives to help raise public awareness on the
gender pay gap (inducing in ICT) and its detrimental consequences to women’s economic and social
lives. In the same vein, it would be beneficial for Cyprus to continue promoting digital skills
initiatives to improve skills, to match the demand for ICT specialists and fill vacancies in these jobs. It
is of great importance to further support the National Coalition in finalising the action plan and
implement the actions to improve digital skills in Cyprus.
A new scheme for enhancing the integration of digital technology in SMEs was launched in
December 2019. It aims to enhance the digital identity of business, increase the number of SMEs
that use information and communication technologies including the e-commerce sector and the
promotion of digital entrepreneurship.
The new “Industrial Strategy Policy of Cyprus” aims to gradually raise industry’s contribution to GDP
by 2030. Smart manufacturing and digitisation are two of the seven pillars underpinning the
strategy. The objective is to increase industrial productivity by strengthening the industrial
ecosystem and investing in sustainability, innovation, digitisation, infrastructure and skills.
The new national strategy on artificial intelligence (AI) will be based on five key pillars set by the
European Commission:
 cultivating talent, skills and lifelong learning.
 increasing the competitiveness of businesses and maximising opportunities for networking
and partnerships.
 improving the quality of public services through the use of digital and AI-related applications
 creating national data areas and
 developing ethical and reliable AI.
Cyprus is committed to advancing on new digital technologies and investing in digital technologies
through EU-coordinated programmes. Cyprus is a member of the EuroHPC Joint Undertaking. Cyprus
has also signed the Declaration on the Cooperation Framework on HPC, the Declaration of European
Blockchain Partnership, and the Declaration on Cooperation on Artificial Intelligence. In 2019,
Cyprus signed a declaration agreeing to explore together with other 19 Member States how to
develop and deploy a quantum communication infrastructure across the EU within the next 10
years. The aim of QKD is to build Europe’s quantum infrastructure and become a backbone for
Europe’s quantum internet.
To boost the digital transformation of the Cypriot economy, it is important to raise awareness of the
relevance of digitisation among SMEs and of their needs. This will enable SMEs to reap the full range
of benefits from adopting digital technologies.
Cyprus is below the EU average on the digital public services. Besides the efforts made to improve
and extend Cyprus’ digital public services, demand side is weak. As part of the work to provide a
Single Sign-On (SSO), the public will be able to access and interact digitally with the government
through “Ariadne” by using only a single ID and password. The Civil Registry and Migration
Department also provides e-services through “Ariadne”, allowing citizens to validate and update
their personal data. The new Deputy Ministry of research, innovation and digital policy, establish in
March 2020 and has the overall responsibility for the digital policy and digital transformation of the
country including e-government and research and innovation.
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In February 2019, the Ministerial e-government Board of Cyprus decided to take a flexible solution
for the use of eID. The government will develop the national eID scheme following the eIDAS
regulation, which will be implemented by the private sector (electronic identification providers). The
scheme follows 14 principles, including administrative simplification, accessibility, interoperability,
trust and security. The Electronic Identification Provider (eIDP) complying with the national scheme
will be able to issue eID to the Cypriot population.
Cyprus is focusing on boosting digital skills in the public sector. In this vein, the Cyprus Academy of
Public Administration in cooperation with the Presidency’s Administrative Reform Unit are running a
new project to identify and evaluate the needs of civil servants regarding digital skills (e-skills). After
the need assessment, training programmes will be designed to meet civil servants’ needs.
On e-health, Cyprus is moving towards cross-border integration -law on e-health (59(I)/2019)-. The
law, funded by the European Commission’s CEF Programme, focuses on supporting Cyprus’s efforts
to be part of a secure peer-to-peer network allowing the exchange of Patient Summaries (PSs) and
e- prescriptions. The objective is to align the Cypriot health infrastructure with the standards set by
the European Commission for exchanging health data across national borders within the EU and for
the provision of interoperable e-health services.
Full implementation of the strategy by all public bodies could lead the way to even more significant
improvements on digital public administration.
 Czechia:
Czechia improved its score and ranks 17th in the DESI 2020. The country improved in three
dimensions: human capital, integration of digital technology and in the use of internet services.
Czechia’s strongest dimension is the integration of digital technologies where the country scores
above the EU average. The score is high thanks to a solid performance in e-commerce. The
proportion of people employed as ICT specialists and the proportion of ICT graduates grew
significantly. However, Czech companies still report difficulties in finding digital experts.
The government is rolling out new digital public services but take-up remains limited. Connectivity is
not improving fast enough especially due to insufficient coverage of Fixed Very High-Capacity
Networks. A large proportion of the population reads news online and uses online banking, but the
high prices of mobile broadband subscriptions continue to limit wider use of internet services.
In November 2019, Czechia adopted its action plan 2.0 on non-subsidy measures to help plan and
construct electronic communications networks. The ultimate aim is to remove barriers to building
and operating these networks. The two priority measures are:
(i) to use newly established or significantly renovated line constructions for building
electronic communications networks and
(ii) (ii) to significantly reduce the cost of laying electronic communications infrastructure
on land owned by the state or municipalities.
The country also adopted a strategic document on the basis of which a new Broadband Competence
Office Czech Republic (BCO) started to operate in February 2020. The Office has been tasked with
coordinating and supporting the regions in developing VHCNs. Czechia also intends to adopt a new
national plan for developing VHCNs, and studies are under way to inform the plan.
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Public funding to support the objectives of the current national plan (e.g., increasing coverage of
rural areas) is provided through the 2014-2020 Operational Programme Enterprise and Innovation
for Competitiveness (OPEIC), especially through relevant calls (announced or planned).
Following the ‘5G for 5 Cities’ contest supported by the Czech government, five Czech cities were
selected for the earliest 5G tests in the country which had delate due to the fact that Czech
government decided to take a different approach to the original auction design that the national
regulatory authority (NRA) put forward for public consultation. Czechia intends to build - together
with Germany - a Prague-Munich 5G network corridor, for which it would like to benefit from
financing from CEF 2 for 2021-2027.
The national digitisation strategy, Digital Czechia adopted in 2018, focuses on the need to develop
relevant digital skills and knowledge among people and to create a modern labor market. The
related implementation plan lists eight objectives, covering basic and supplementary digital
education, support for the adaptation of the labor market and the improvement of teachers’ digital
skills. The government is preparing a new national Education Strategy 2030+ that is intended to
foster lifelong learning and update the school curricula to help people acquire relevant
competences.
According to a government report, within 5 years, automatic technologies and AI could replace 1.3
million Czech employees, in particular in routine tasks. To address this trend, the national AI strategy
aims to offer reskilling programmes, support start-ups and small businesses and introduce measures
for flexible forms of work. The strategy also plans to expand university courses in AI and in particular
to support masters and postgraduate programmes on the impact of automation on society.
The government acknowledges the need to adapt the education system and to equip the population
with relevant digital skills. However, the digital transformation is already affecting businesses and
society. An implemented updated educational framework would help schools to teach digital skills
more effectively. It will be vital to find funds for all the foreseen initiatives and implement them
without delays.
Czechia continues to climb the ranking for the use of internet services. The digital gap in society is
narrowing as the proportion of people who have never used the internet has fallen to 9%, the same
as the EU average. Also, the country climbed to the 9th position, with a score above the EU average
for the integration of digital technology. E-commerce continues to be the main driver in this
dimension.
In 2019, the Czech government announced a new innovation strategy to widen the use of digital
technologies among companies. The document is built around nine pillars and incorporates the
existing strategy for digital transformation – Digital Czechia. The actions range from reforming
education, protecting intellectual property, supporting innovation hubs and digitising the economy
and society. Among the first concrete actions, the government launched a new funding programme
with three pillars:
1. support of high-tech start-ups
2. development of infrastructure and delivery of digital services with a focus on artificial
intelligence
3. implementation of innovative solutions in the economy
The programme is intended to last from 2020 to 2027 and the budget is €361 million. This initiative
aims to increase the global competitiveness of Czech companies, stimulate cooperation between
universities and businesses and facilitate the take-up of innovative solutions.
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In the future, the national innovation strategy aims to match the Digital Europe programme in co-
financing the digital innovation hubs that help introduce digital technologies in factories and
businesses. Currently, there are seven of these hubs based in Prague, South Moravia and Ostrava.
Czechia is the world’s 15th biggest end user of industrial robots. According to the Confederation of
Industry, more than half of companies plan to increase investment in Industry 4.0 applications over
the next 5 years. In this regard, bigger companies are more active than SMEs. The main reasons for
introducing elements of Industry 4.0 are to increase productivity and lower the unit costs per
employee.
A major obstacle to the digitisation of companies is the lack of experts on the job market. According
to PwC, the shortage of skilled labor cost Czech companies over €11 billion in 2019.
The country contributes to major European initiatives in technology. It has signed the declarations
on quantum communication infrastructure, EuroHPC, AI and cooperation on a smart and sustainable
digital future for European agriculture and rural areas.
For an economy that relies on engineering, the automotive industry and metallurgy it is vital to help
businesses, especially SMEs, to adapt to technological change. Czechia is closely aligned with all the
key European initiatives that support integration of digital technologies. Czech companies are
responding to the digital transformation and the government is keen to provide relevant support.
Measures to further stimulate e-commerce and support small e-shops in particular would help the
country to maintain its leading position in this domain. The roadmap of actions in the strategic
documents is likely to increase Czech competitiveness provided that the government allocates
sufficient funds for the initiatives planned.
In the domain of digital public services, Czechia has dropped in the EU ranking to the 22nd position,
with a score significantly below the EU average. Czechia is increasing the volume of public services
that people and businesses can use online. However, none of the indicators exceeds the EU average
and only half of individuals who need to submit official forms to public administrations do so
electronically.
The country is pursuing its e-government plan included in the Digital Czechia strategy. Since
February 2020, Czechia has a new ‘digital constitution’. This law introduces the right for citizens to
access nearly all public services electronically.
Despite the government’s effort to promote the digital use of public services, the number of e-
government users is growing at a slower pace. At the end of 2019, the central Citizen’s Portal was
already offering 120 services online, but it had only 45.000 registered users (0,7% of the Czechs aged
15-64).
In October 2019, the government formed a working group for human rights and modern
technologies. This team, composed of academics, policy-makers and representatives of the private
sector is to recommend action to strengthen the protection of human rights in the digital era. In
particular, the group will focus on the spread of disinformation, the role of online platforms and the
use of digital technologies in healthcare.
While the national digitisation strategy aims to centralise procurement of ICT systems and services,
public procurement in this area remains a major budgetary issue. A group of ICT experts organised a
hackathon, developed a beta version of the e-shop and offered it free to the government, to
demonstrate an alternative approach to public procurement in IT.
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The country’s strategy for electronic healthcare will end in 2020. It introduced the National Contact
Point for Electronic Healthcare that is able to securely transfer selected patient information across
borders. E-prescriptions are mandatory from 2018. Initially, this project was criticised on account of
certain technical issues. However, the use of e-prescriptions has grown and, in 2019, doctors and
healthcare providers issued on average 6 million per month. The Ministry of healthcare hosts the
National e-Health Centre responsible for the strategic and conceptual development of e-Health. In
2019, the government adopted a strategic framework for healthcare until 2030. Digitisation is one of
its specific goals and one of its main features is a new e-health law, which is expected to be
presented to parliament in the course of 2020. As of January 2020, employers, healthcare providers
and patients are obliged to use certificates of work incapacity only in electronic form. After the first
month, the system had already registered over 22.000 healthcare providers and more than 200.000
patients.
Czechia is pursuing its e-government strategy with a view to delivering more public services
electronically and in a user-friendly way. However, take-up remains low and a large proportion of
the population still prefers to interact with the public administration through traditional means.
Increasing the number of users is key for the success of the new digital public services. An open-
source approach could allow more providers to offer new services that will attract more people to
the systems that already exist. Failed and over-priced procurements for ICT services in public
administration continue to be a burden.
 Denmark:
Denmark ranks 3rd out of the 28 EU Member States in the European Commission’s 2020 edition of
the Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI).
Denmark has improved its results (scores) on all DESI dimensions, except the use of internet
services. Denmark is the leader in the connectivity dimension, improving its score at a pace faster
than the EU average. Average 4G and fixed very high-capacity network coverage, mobile broadband
take-up and 5G readiness are among the best in the EU.
The national broadband target for 2020 is for all households and businesses to have coverage with
speeds of minimum 100 Mbps download / 30 Mbps upload. By 2019, this was achieved for 93% of
all households and businesses. Work on a new broadband strategy started in early 2020, and
focusses mainly on rolling out fast broadband to the remaining 7% of households and businesses
and preparing Denmark for the internet services of the future. Denmark ranks 4th in the 5G
readiness indicator. It has assigned 32% of the total 2090 MHz spectrum harmonized at EU level for
wireless broadband. Fixed broadband and mobile network coverage are significantly above the EU
average. As Denmark overwhelmingly relies on private investment, decisions about regulated access
to fibre networks resulting from the market reviews under preparation will be significant for
investors.
Denmark ranks 7th, in the EU on human capital well above the EU average. Denmark performs very
well and above the EU average on digital skills, while the proportion of ICT specialists and female ICT
specialist has stabilised since 2018.
Both, the ‘Digital Strategy 2016-2020’ and the ‘Strategy for Denmark’s Digital Growth’ include
initiatives to enhance digital skills and digital literacy of citizens. “Digital skills for all” is one of the
strategic focus areas of the digital growth plan. Under the ‘Initiatives for Denmark’s Digital Growth’,
the government allocated approximately €24 million for initiatives under “Digital skills for all”. In
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April 2019, the Ministry of Higher Education and Science launched a “National Action Plan for digital
skills” based on ideas and experiences from higher education institutions. The initial vision was to
introduce and familiarise all students with digital technologies relevant to their field, and to increase
and improve the use of digital learning technologies among educators in order to improve student
learning and the quality of the educational system. Despite the fact that the majority of the
initiatives in the Action Plan have yet to be activated, all higher education institutions have
incorporated digital skills and literacy in their education programmes.
The “Danish Technology Pact”, one of the initiatives included in the national growth plan, provides
initiatives designed to improve Science, Technology, and Engineering & Mathematics (STEM) skills. It
was established in April 2018, based on a similar Dutch initiative. The Vocational Education and
Training (VET) sector continues to create the right links with the market and industry in terms of
digital skills. In the spring of 2019, the government established the “Centre for Use of IT in Education
on Vocational Training”, followed by the “VET Informatics” over the summer. The government also
brought in an experimental programme in public primary and lower secondary schools for the
period 2018-2021. The programme tests how technological understanding (i.e., ‘technology
comprehension’) can be taught. As of 2022, schools can make the programme compulsory.
The Danish national coalition for digital skills and jobs engages in digital skills development with
main responsibility to bring together companies, organisations, academia and ministries to boost
digital skills in Denmark. The coalition has close collaboration with Denmark’s counterparts in
Sweden and Finland. The three countries aim to develop a joint initiative on lifelong learning for ICT
professionals. They are planning to hold a conference, possibly in autumn 2020, for professionals to
present their vision and plans for digital skills development.
In 2019, the Danish Agency for Digitisation established a common central government digital
academy in order to raise the level of digital skills throughout the Danish central government. The
academy is an initiative from the government strategy ‘A Solid ICT Foundation – Strategy for ICT
Management in Central Government’ from 2017.
The use of internet services in Denmark is significantly above the EU average. Denmark has more
internet users than any other EU country. Danes are keen to do a range of activities online, as
internet users are elsewhere in the EU.
Denmark ranks 5th in the EU on the integration of digital technology in business activities. Denmark
leads the EU in terms of the level of digitisation of business, with 53% of businesses being highly
digitised (26% in the EU). Danish businesses increasingly seek opportunities online, but 60% of
businesses that recruited ICT specialists had difficulties in finding these specialists.
Under the “Strategy for Denmark’s Digital Growth”, the government set an ambitious objective for
Denmark to be a digital frontrunner. “SMEs: Digital”, which is one of the initiatives included in the
strategy, provides support to SMEs for exploiting new digital technologies to create growth and jobs
in Denmark.
Local public funded business development centers and clusters support the adoption of digital
technologies. A reform of the clusters will take place in 2020 resulting in three, larger clusters,
within IT, robotics and automation. To prepare to set up the future European Digital Innovation
Hubs, Denmark is examining the scope to use and consolidate existing structures to maximize
impact. The arrangements for setting up the hubs are currently under negotiation, and specific
implementation plans will be developed with support provided by the Digital Europe Programme.
The “National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence” comprises 24 initiatives across the public and
private sector following four principles:
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(i) a responsible foundation for AI

(ii) (ii) more and better data
(iii) (iii) strong competences and new knowledge and
(iv) (iv) increased investment.
The main initiatives on AI are:

(i) principles for responsible development and use of artificial intelligence
(ii) establishment of a common Danish language resource
(iii) implementation of signature projects within the health, social and employment
sectors and
(iv) identification of public datasets, which can be made available for businesses,
researchers and public authorities and contribute to the development of AI.
15 signature projects within health, social affairs, employment, and cross-sector case processing
were launched. The projects are financed through an investment fund totaling €26,76 million in
2018-2022.
In early 2019, the government presented the report: “Prepared for the Future of Work”. The report
sets out a number of conclusions on the future growth and education in Denmark.
To further boost the digital transformation of the Danish economy, it is important to raise
awareness among SMEs of the relevance of digitisation and of their needs. This will enable SMEs to
reap the full range of benefits from adopting digital technologies.
In digital public services, Denmark ranks 3rd, well above the EU average. The share of citizens
interacting with public authorities online and submitting online forms (e-government users) is well
above the EU average. Denmark is in the lead on digital public services provided for businesses (100
against 88 in the EU). Denmark shows a high level of maturity on open data, scoring (78%)
significantly above the EU average (66%).
With the sixth generation of the Danish e-government strategy (‘Digital Strategy 2016-2020’), the
local, regional and central government levels have set the course for a cohesive digitisation of the
Danish public sector. In March 2019, they signed the ‘digitisation pact’ that includes a commitment
to create digital guidance for businesses and citizens for better user experience. The pact also aims
at enhancing citizens’ and businesses’ overview of the public sector’s processing and handling of
their data.
The government signed off on a new digital identity solution (eID), MitID, which will replace the
NemID solution in 2021. The solution will be developed under a partnership between the State and
the banking sector. A robust information security across the sector is a crucial element in reaping
the benefits of digitisation and ensuring that the healthcare service is future-proof. With the “Danish
Cyber and Information Security Strategy 2018-2021”, operators in the Danish healthcare sector aim
to step up joint and coordinated actions to predict, prevent, detect and respond to cyber and
information security incidents.
Welfare technology has been for many years a strategic focus in Denmark. This was reaffirmed in
the “Digital Health Strategy 2018-2022”. Denmark’s nationwide implementation of tele-health relies
on a well-developed national infrastructure based on international standards that facilitates data
sharing and integration across the healthcare system.
Since 2019, the law on “Better Digital Cooperation in the Health Care System’’ facilitates the use of
primary sector health data. Further work is being carried out to create a one-stop-shop for
researchers to access and get guidance on how to use health data.
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Denmark has a sound foundation on which it can continue digitising public services and health
system. However, it is important to continue digitisation of public services that citizens use, like and
trust and to continue to raise awareness and improve knowledge of citizens, businesses and
authorities, and helps non-digital citizens to use digital public services.
 Estonia:
Estonia ranks 7th out of the 28 EU Member States in the 2020 Digital Economy and Society Index
(DESI). The country continues to perform well on digital public services and very well on the human
capital indicators. However, sustained action by all stakeholders is still important, not least because
skills shortages and mismatches are among the main obstacles to business investment. The use of
internet services remains consistently high. Estonia continues to invest in the deployment of
broadband infrastructure, but the country’s ambitious 5G goals will depend on the timely award of
the pioneer bands. A key challenge in the Estonian economy remains the digitization of companies
that do not yet take full advantage of the opportunities offered by digital technology, as well as
more generally the integration of digital technology.
Estonia had reviewed and updated its “Digital Agenda 2020” strategy in 2018. This undertaking is
anchored in clear and transparent criteria, which will help the country in implementing the
necessary measures to achieve its ambitious targets. By end of 2020, the government plans to
prepare and adopt the digital strategy for the next 5 years.
Estonia’s overall connectivity score has slightly risen since 2018, and performed very well in the
take-up of mobile broadband, with 152 subscriptions per 100 people, the EU average is 100
subscriptions per 100 people. Estonia also scores quite well on fixed broadband take-up.
The objectives of Estonia’s current national broadband plan, the 2020 Digital Agenda, are not
aligned with the objectives of the Gigabit Society. The strategy aims to provide all residents with
internet access above 30 Mbps and to achieve at least 60% of household subscriptions with a speed
of above 100 Mbps. Estonia’s new digital strategy for 2020+ has been in preparation since the end
of 2019. This strategy will align its connectivity targets to those of the Gigabit Society, including the
availability of speeds of 100 Mbps upgradeable to 1 Gbps to all residents).
The Estonian wideband infrastructure network (EstWin) project delivered 7.000 km of backhaul
network by January 2020. The Estonian government launched a public consultation in December
2019 in order to map further investment needs with a view to meeting the EU’s 2025 Gigabit society
objectives.
Concerning investment in broadband infrastructure in Estonia, implementation of a state aid
scheme to support last-mile access in next generation access white spots was ongoing in 2019. The
project is expected to finish by the end of 2023.
As regards Estonia’s ambition on 5G connectivity, Estonia published its 5G roadmap in March 2019.
The country would like to achieve 5G connectivity in major cities by 2023 and along transport
corridors by 2025. The authorities are also committed to cooperating on 5G corridors with Latvia
and Lithuania under the Via Baltica project.
Estonia scores 0% on the 5G readiness indicator. As of January 2020, the award of 5G pioneer bands
in Estonia was still pending. The country continues to invest in the deployment of its broadband
infrastructure and uses both public and private funds to do so. The country’s ambitious 5G goals will
depend on the timely award of the pioneer bands.
Estonia ranks 3rd in the EU on Human capital. 62% of the population has at least basic digital skills
and 37% have above basic digital skills, both above the EU average According to its “Digital Agenda
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2020”, Estonia committed to launching a number of initiatives to ensure the supply of ICT specialists
and the acquisition of higher ICT skills in traditional sectors of the Estonian economy. The Estonian
Lifelong Learning Strategy aims to ensure that 80% of the population acquired digital competences
by 2020. The strategy has a “digital focus on lifelong learning” as one of five priorities. The goal is to
apply modern digital technology in learning and teaching in a more efficient way and with better
results, to improve the digital skills of the general population and to ensure they can access the new
generation of digital infrastructure.
Broadly speaking, the Estonian education system performs well, but the reported skills shortages
suggest the link with the labor market remains a challenge. Initiatives such as EU Code Week, which
saw more than 490 grass-root activities in Estonia (up from 355 in 2018), a good level of
participation by women (43%) and high engagement in schools (83% of activities) can be a useful
tool to tackle this challenge at an early stage. Other examples include Progetiiger, First Lego League,
Hour of Code, and others. Efforts such as the higher education reform carried on in 2013 and the
implementation of the IT Academy Programme (2016-2020) contributed to this positive
development.
Despite the high percentage of ICT specialists, businesses provide only limited skills training to meet
the needs of the ICT sector in Estonia. Further increasing the number of ICT specialists, by making it
easier for ICT specialists from outside of Estonia to work in the country, maintaining a high number
of ICT graduates and financing the upskilling of workers in the public and private sectors will help
Estonia tap the full potential of the digital economy. Fully re-activating the national coalition for
digital skills and jobs, on the basis of the on-going collaboration between the public, private and
third sectors to update national digital skills strategies, would be an important step.
Overall, the use of internet in Estonia is high (88% of people) but country scores slightly below the
EU average on the Integration of digital technology — in which it now ranks 14th.
Estonia invested in trainings on e-commerce for new entrepreneurs as well as active businesses, via
County Development Centers network, located in each county.
Estonia is committed to making progress with new digital technologies and to strategically investing
in them through EU-coordinated programmes. For instance, the country is a member of the
EuroHPC Joint Undertaking, it has also signed the Declaration of European Blockchain Partnership,
the Declaration on Cooperation on Artificial Intelligence, the Declaration of cooperation towards
access to at least 1 million sequenced genomes in the European Union by 2022 and the Declaration
on the Cooperation framework on HPC. As highlighted in the section on skills, Estonia is also
focusing on developing and building digital skills as a tool to foster the digitization of businesses.
In July 2019, the government of Estonia also adopted the national Artificial Intelligence (AI) strategy
for 2019-2021. The goals of this strategy include advancing the uptake of AI by the private sector,
including via the use of existing funding measures (e.g., innovation and development vouchers,
product development grants) and by providing practical examples on the use of AI applications to
solve specific use cases (so-called ‘Kratts’).
Indeed, to boost the digital transformation of the Estonian economy, it is important that Estonia
continues and strengthens its efforts to raise awareness of the benefit of better integrating digital
technologies, particularly for SMEs. This objective could be achieved through a cross-sectoral
initiative and with an extended focus, not limited to high-growth industries or those that already use
digital technologies very intensely, including in the start-up ecosystem.
Estonia ranks 1st place in the EU on Digital public services. The country has well-developed e-
government and e-health systems, with all central government services, as well as municipalities
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providing services online. Estonia is a frontrunner in the digital provision of public services and has
one of the highest shares (93%) of e-government users in Europe. Furthermore, Estonia’s X-road
system, the backbone of its e- government, is a digital information infrastructure that securely
connects over 900 organisations daily. Estonia has also established a high-security data embassy in
Luxembourg to host critical data and information systems outside Estonia. In general, Estonia
performs very well across all indicators of e-government analysis, including the level of digitisation
and the penetration of public services.
In its updated “Digital Agenda 2020”, Estonia recognises that cyber security is now globally accepted
as an inseparable part of the functioning of the state and economy and of both internal and external
security. So, the primary task is to ensure that vital functions (strategic infrastructure and services)
are resilient to cyber threats, which requires having a country-wide strategic overview,
interoperability, and well-functioning planning.
Estonia has made significant investment and has made progress on open data. A lack of availability
of open data is the key barrier to open data reuse. Currently, only a fragment of all public datasets
has been released as open and re-usable data and not all available datasets are linked to the
national open data portal. The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications and Open
Knowledge Estonia is working with individual data holders that wish to publish open data to give
them technical and other advice. The public sector working group is used as a platform to encourage
data holders to publish open data.
Estonia’s national strategy on Artificial Intelligence devotes significant attention to the uptake of AI
solutions in the public sector, including via targeted training, technical and financial support for AI
pilots in various agencies, creating reusable AI components for public sector AI applications, to
accelerate their deployment, and developing guidelines for AI development, including for what
concerns the responsible use of data. The national AI strategy set the goal of at least 50 live AI
applications in Estonian public sector by end of 2020.
As a world leader in digital public services, for Estonia to reach the objectives outlined in the Digital
Agenda 2020, it is important to ensure that the full range of online public services is user-friendly
and cost effective. Promoting the use of and opening up information gateways, including the
Estonian Open Data Portal, would help Estonia achieving those goals.
 Finland:
Finland is a digital leader ranking 1st out of the 28 EU Member States in the Digital Economy and
Society Index (DESI) 2020. Its leading performance is due to its excellence in digital public services
and the integration of digital technologies, enabled by active cooperation between the public and
private sectors and an active start-up scene. Its human capital is one of its strongest competitive
advantages where 76% of the population have basic or above basic digital skills, considerably above
the EU average (58%).
Finland excels thanks to innovative thinking linked with social responsibility. Governmental support
is far-sighted, setting regulatory incentives and funding basic research. Finland has developed an
equitable and inclusive information society. Digitisation and the development of the information
society at all levels and in all sectors play a key role in sustaining Finnish well-being and increasing
productivity. Efficient use of information and communication technologies (ICT) in different sectors
of society leads to increased productivity.
As regards Finland’s national broadband plan, the application period for the high-speed broadband
aid scheme ended in 2018 but payments are estimated to continue until 2021. The authorities are
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planning to make arrangements so it would be possible to apply and receive aid again from the
beginning of 2021.
Commercial 5G services are already available in the centers of the biggest cities (from all three
mobile network operators. Corporate 5G Internet of things (IoT) services are at a pilot stage, mainly
in factories (e.g., Nokia factory) and harbors, as part of more comprehensive trials. While Finland
has good fixed broadband and 4G coverage overall, coverage in rural areas could be further
improved. The main problem has been the lack of incentive for market players to invest in sparsely
populated areas of the country. Finland has adopted State aid measures and has further adjusted
them to tackle this issue, resulting in the implementation of more projects.
Finland ranks 1st out of the 28 EU countries in human capital. Finland made significant progress in
increasing the proportion of people with above basic digital skills jumping to 50% this year and
gaining first position in the EU in this ranking. ICT specialists also represent an increased percentage
of the workforce compared to the EU average, affirming its lead position in that indicator too. Also,
Finland has the highest percentage of ICT specialists in the labor force in the EU.
Finland is a frontrunner in anticipating the skills development needed for Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Finland’s free online AI course seeks to demystify the technology by making it more accessible. The
course targets anyone interested in learning about AI without prior mathematical or programming
skills required. This initiative by the Finnish government aims to attract 1% of the population to take
up the challenge and learn more about AI basics such as machine learning and neural networks.
The is working for to establish its national Digital Skills and Jobs Coalition during the year 2020. It is
also a signatory of the ministerial Declaration of commitment on women in digital.
Finland’s strong and consistent lead in human capital reflects the high levels of competence its
workforce has, which is one of its strongest competitive advantages. Finland demonstrates the
ability of its people, businesses, communities and public administration to produce, protect,
understand and utilize information and technology. Finland advanced digitisation, and the skills
necessary to thrive in it, through persistent action and broad, cross cutting cooperation between
different sectors and organizations in society. It is spearheading efforts to bring AI closer to the
public by improving their understanding of the technology and addressing the need for skills that
accompanies it.
Furthermore, the country ranks 1st in the EU as regards the use of internet services. Finns are keen
to engage in a variety of online activities in line with the rest of the EU, the most popular online
activity being banking, followed by music, videos and games, and news.
On the integration of digital technology by businesses into their activities, Finland ranks 2nd among
EU countries, well above the EU average. Results across indicators improved with increases in the
percentage of companies using electronic information sharing and social media. The use of cloud
among Finnish companies is well above the EU average as well as in the use of big data analysis.
Finland is member of the EuroHPC Joint Undertaking and Finland will host one of the three pre-
exascale supercomputers. Finland is a signatory of the Declaration on European Blockchain
Partnership and the Declaration on Cooperation on Artificial Intelligence.
The “Entrepreneurs of Finland” is cooperating with Google, as part of a tour around Finland offering
free training events for SMEs through the “New Growth with Digital Skills” programme.
The country has a high-level approach to policy issues including the digital and platform economies,
AI and the data economy, usage of cloud computing services in companies and its digital economy
competitiveness. These issues are not siloed and instead are approached holistically and
horizontally, emphasising the opportunities of the digital economy and tech in sectors including
health, education and manufacturing, always keeping the needs of business or people in mind.
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Finland’s thriving digital sector encompasses manufacturing, burgeoning research and development
and investment in digital infrastructure.
Finland ranks 4th among EU countries, well above the EU average in digital public services. This is
primarily thanks to the high number of e-government users. Online interaction between public
authorities and the public is high with 94% of Finnish internet users using e-government services.
The country performs well also in relation to the availability of pre-filled forms, online service
completion and open data. Also, Finland has scaled up significantly in providing digital services to
businesses.
The regional digitisation process requires new information management legislation and a single-
point service system. Municipalities are launching projects to increase public sector productivity and
are paving the way for greater streamlining of public services. This will include the use of spatial
data in services, scaling up supervision and developing automated financial management processes,
procurement activities and reporting systems.
Finland’s e-authorisation system allows people without easy access to a computer or the skills to use
one to access e-services through someone else. That makes it the first country in the world that
allows people to electronically authorise another person to make important decisions for them. The
digitisation of municipal administration and frontline healthcare infrastructure is an essential part of
the government-led Smart Economy project. The initiative aims to ensure the availability of public
funding and capital investments for digital transformation schemes.
The national AuroraAI programme aims to strengthen Finland’s ability to solve difficult issues in its
society relating to the national economy’s sustainability gap, the ageing population or the social
exclusion of young people. It will implement an operations model based on people’s needs, where
AI helps individuals and companies use services in a timely and ethically sustainable manner. The
authorities’ activities will support people’s life events and companies’ business-related events,
facilitating service paths that function smoothly involving several service providers. Using AI, the
AuroraAI network will make it possible to allocate the current, partly siloed supply of services in a
timely manner to individuals or companies in need of such services.
The preliminary study on AuroraAI identified the activities based on human-centricity and life event
thinking, creating the test version of the AuroraAI network and an implementation plan for 2019–
2023. The Ministry of Finance has appointed a strategic group to refine the implementation plan
and create a joint, cross-sectoral view of the development and management of AuroraAI.
Finland excels in offering efficient digital public services and is one of the world leaders in this field.
The Finnish government has prioritised the digitisation of public services projecting it as a
transversal theme, cutting across all milestone projects in the service of its people and businesses.
The ultimate goal is to make available public services that are digital and user-centered by
developing principles for the digitisation of all public services and a one-stop-shop service system for
the public and businesses, backed by the necessary information management legislation,
governance and security. Finland’s success is also due to the improved availability of open data and
the country’s is forward thinking in using cutting-edge technology in service of its society, providing
solutions to its societal challenges.
 France:
France ranks 15th out of 28 EU Member States in the 2020 edition of the Digital Economy and
Society Index (DESI).
France improved significantly in the integration of digital technology dimension, registering good
progress in the number of companies using social media and big data and sharing information
online. France also performs well in the Digital public services dimension, gaining one position,
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thanks to the high number of e-government users and showing progress in the provision of digital
public services for business. France’s position has worsened in the human capital dimension, mainly
to the low share of people with “above basic digital skills” and in the connectivity dimension, where
despite a good increase in its score, it remained below the EU average.
The country ranks 18th among the Member States in connectivity. New investments in France are in
future proof technology, as the significant increase in fixed very high-capacity network coverage
from 38% in 2018 to 44% in 2019 shows.
Regarding 5G, on 31 December 2019, the government launched the call for tender to award licenses
to use frequencies in the 3.4–3.8 GHz band. Only 310 MHz of spectrum will be assigned in
metropolitan France because the remaining spectrum is to be used by regional authorities for fixed
wireless access until 2026. The frequencies will be allocated for a period of 15 years.
With the aim of improving country-wide connectivity in terms of speed and coverage, France
continues to implement its national broadband plan. Though it has almost fully met its fibre
deployment targets in very densely populated areas, large swathes of less densely populated areas
and rural areas still lack coverage. As for 5G coverage, the obligations included in the adopted
spectrum award mechanism aim to gradually achieve country-wide coverage between 2020 and
2030.
France has launched a number of initiatives to boost the level of digital skills of its citizens , focusing
on different target groups . In 2019, France set up a national framework for digital competences
(Cadre de Référence des Compétences Numériques fran çais, CRCN) using the European Digital
Competence Framework, which covers education levels from primary school to university. This adds
to the existing PIX platform for digital skills. France will revise its certification of digital competences
at the end of middle and upper secondary school on the basis of the new framework. In addition, to
boost the digital skills of students, the country has brought in two new compulsory courses on
digital and computer sciences in secondary schools as of 2019.
According to the Education Ministry, these courses are already taught in over half of France’s public
schools. However, in some education institutions, opportunities to experiment and learn digital skills
related to coding and robotics are available only as optional courses. To boost the level of digital
skills of teaching staff , France created a new inter -university diploma (Diplôme Interuniversitaire ,
DIU) called Teaching ICT in upper secondary schools in 2019. So far, over 2.000 teachers have been
trained in 19 universities. Other initiatives include putting in place a MOOC for upper secondary
school teachers , developed by the French institute for digital sciences (l’institut national de
recherche dédié aux sciences du numérique , INRIA). Over 13.000 teachers have registered for the
course since it was rolled out on February 2019.
The French Digital Skills & Jobs Coalition is carrying out a number of initiatives to boost digital skills.
In 2019, the Coalition organised a competition for young people on the professions of the future. It
established a partnership with the Ministry of Labor to support businesses and employees on AI
development, and work is ongoing to improve its platform to share information with other
European National Coalitions. In 2019, a good number of schools and other organisations took part
in EU Code Week, a grassroots movement to encourage people of all ages to code. France held over
500 events that attracted over 90.000 participants.
Country’s measures to improve the digital skills of its population, both through formal education
and inclusion measures, are underway and should produce tangible results over the coming years.
More targeted initiatives will be important to upskill the workforce for the digital economy and to
promote advanced digital skills development, in AI and in other areas too.
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The use of internet services in France increased slightly in 2019, but at a slower pace than it did in
EU countries, with France ranking 21st out of 28 EU countries. France has taken specific measures to
support the digital transformation of SMEs, such as the 40% tax amortisation scheme for investment
in digital transformation and robotics and financial support to help industrial SMEs deploy digital
technologies, transform their business models and modernise production practices, via the initiative
Industry of the Future. In addition, since July 2018, the National Industrial Council (Conseil National
de l’industrie — CNI) has a dedicated branch for digital, the CNI numerique, which brings together
industrial sectors and the Alliance for Industry of the Future, with active support from the
government. The aim is to build a shared strategic action plan to support industrial sectors in
identifying and taking up digital solutions suited to their sectoral needs. For example, the CNI
numerique is contributing to the deployment of blockchain technologies in the agri-food sectors and
encouraging AI applications in the health sector.
Equally, to provide dedicated support to traditional SMEs and VSEs on digitisation, the France Num
platform was launched in October 2018. At present, France Num provides support with the help of a
network of actors, among which BPI France and the chambers of commerce; it provides access to
online content on the digital transformation, according to the different needs, to a repository of
existing financial support measures and to a digital maturity assessment tool. Finally, 1.600 public
and private advisors, called Activateurs France Num are available to help SMEs locally.
In early 2019, France’s Public Investment Bank (BPI France ) launched a landmark deep -tech
generation plan (Plan Génération Deeptech ). With €1.3 billion in funding over five years (2019-
2023), the plan will support disruptive innovation. In addition, €800 million will support the creation
of start-ups under the ‘Investment for the Future Programme’ and € 550 million will be available via
Technology Transfer Acceleration Offices (Sociétés d’Accélération du Transfert des Technologies). BPI
France will contribute to funding the digital ecosystem and launching projects (Banque Publique
d’Investissement, 2019).
French Tech continues to play a major role in creating the conditions for start-ups to scale-up. In
2018, French tech start-ups raised significant funding totalling €3,6 billion. In only the first half of
2019, funding reached €2,4 billion, possibly leading to a record year with nearly €5 billion of funding
projected.
France is implementing a comprehensive strategy on AI addressing three main issues: ethics, the
uptake of AI in the economy and in the public administration, and targeting a world-class level of
expertise by attracting and developing the best talents. The budget allocated is €1,5 billion over five
years to tackle these three issues. In addition to the overarching strategy, since the end of 2018,
France has announced a research strategy for IA, an AI and defence strategy, and an economic
strategy.
France is a member of the EuroHPC Joint Undertaking and part of the EuroQCI initiative and
Quantum Flagship. France has also recently acquired a new super computer, which is the fastest in
the EU. France is one of the main partners in developing the GAIA-X cloud infrastructure, in which
the EU plans to co-invest with France and Germany. Its use will focus on AI applications and it will be
made available to companies.
France has had a cybersecurity strategy since 2015, coordinated by the French National
Cybersecurity Agency. The above measures are boosting the digital transformation of the French
economy. Further measures targeting SMEs will be important to unlock the potential for growth
stemming from the adoption of digital technologies.
France ranks 12th out of 28 Member States on the digital public services chapter of DESI. The
country performs strongly on the use of open data, it is the third best performer in the EU. France
also ranks above the EU average in terms of digital public services for businesses and in online form
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completion (9th and 10th out of EU 28 respectively). The number of e-government users has also
significantly increased at 76% of internet users choosing to submit forms online, against an EU
average of 67%. France’s performance is significantly weaker however on the amount of pre-filled
data in public services’ online forms.
The government has embarked on a process to dematerialise a range of quality services for users,
including business services. It focuses in particular on a “Top 250” group of services and processes
that are the most often used by citizens. The extent to which each of these processes is digitalised,
their quality and user satisfaction is monitored online and made publicly available in the observatory
on the dematerialisation of administrative procedures. The country therefore prioritises the
digitalisation of procedures and the improvement of existing online services on a need’s basis and
on the basis of user opinion, in particular business users.
The FranceConnec programme continues. It now comprises five identity providers and a sixth is also
joining the programme. According to the French authorities, more than 12 million French citizens
now use it for over 600 digital services. Of these digital services, which are mostly provided by the
public administration, the share of private-sector services is increasing.
The digital transformation of public services is also supported by the National Investment plan
(Grand Plan d’investissement) with a budget of €8 billion. This plan aims to support the use of
innovative technologies, such as platform computing, big data, and artificial intelligence for public
services. This involves financing reform and transformation projects on a multi-annual basis, running
trials with a high potential for improving public services, and promoting bold initiatives, including
the proliferation of state start-ups. The €700 million Public Action Transformation Fund (FTAP)
finances innovative and cost-saving projects run by the government and its operational bodies.
France has strongly encouraged the development of eHealth and telemedicine. The take-up of
eHealth, in particular the use of electronic medical records (EMRs) and telemedicine, has grown in
recent years. By mid-2019, over 6,4 million people (about 10% of the population) had an EMR.
France has taken steps to position itself at the forefront of digitally enabled public service
modernisation. Full implementation of the country’s strategy in this area, including through
additional measures to increase the pre-filled data available in online forms, is likely to bring further
improvements in terms of e-government availability and uptake by people and businesses alike.
 Germany:
Germany ranks 12th out of 28 EU MSs in the 2020 edition of the Digital Economy and Society Index
(DESI). On the Connectivity dimension, Germany leads the EU on 5G readiness and has a high take-
up of overall fixed broadband. However, it ranks just 21st on Digital public services.
Country’s greatest digital challenge is that Germany ranks 26th in the use of e-government services,
with only 49% of internet users going online to access such services. The federal government and
the federal states have taken several measures to implement the Online Access Act in a bid to
improve the situation.
In March 2016, the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy presented the Digital Strategy
for 2025. Furthermore, in March 2018, a new state minister for digitisation was appointed, reporting
directly to the Chancellor’s Office. In November 2018, the federal government published its
implementation strategy “Shaping Digitalisation”.
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The objective is to continue improving the quality of life for everyone in Germany, while also
leveraging economic and ecological opportunities and securing social cohesion. The strategy
comprises five specific pillars- as mentioned above-:
(1) Digital competence
(2) Infrastructure and equipment
(3) Innovation and digital transformation
(4) Societal shift towards digitalisation and
(5) the Modern state.
According to COVID-19 crisis, Germany has taken a large number of targeted measures in digital to
deal with. Initiatives to minimise contagion and to support the health system include the
development of a contact tracking application, a symptom checker chat bot and an electronic
intensive register to monitor and manage intensive station resources.
Additionally, digitalisation of the public administration is also being accelerated priority will be given
to digitising applications for benefit claims, which are important and vital for people and businesses
in the COVID-19 crisis. The German government set the political objective of providing nationwide
full gigabit network coverage by 2025.
Additionally, for the economy, digital platforms have been set up in order to digitise the application
process for funds, the networking between traders and to provide advice for SME’s affected by the
crisis. The Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy has launched several measures with the
aim of advancing digitalisation: a digital innovation competition for business start-ups, the Digital
Hub Initiative, GINSEP, Mittelstand 4.0 Centres of Excellence, “go digital”, the Town-Country-Digital
Initiative, IT Security in the Business Sector and Industrie 4.0.
In 2019, Germany took part in the newly established European Joint Undertaking ‘EuroHPC’.
Germany continues its long-standing commitment to the national supercomputing infrastructure,
the Gauss Centre for Supercomputing. As for the funding phase 2017-2025, the federal government
and participating federal state governments will provide around €850 million. The HPC activities are
part of the “Hightech-Strategy 2025” of the federal government and part of the “Digital Strategy” of
the Federal Ministry for Education and Research.
In September 2019, the federal government adopted a national Blockchain Strategy. This strategy
sets out 44 measures in five fields of action (blockchain in the finance sector, advancing projects,
clear and reliable framework conditions, digitised public-administration services and knowledge,
networks and cooperation). The expected outcome of the strategy is to deepen the understanding
of its potential use and of the limitations of blockchain technology and its possible applications.
In 2018, the federal government adopted its Artificial Intelligence (AI) Strategy, in which it sets out a
framework for a holistic policy on the future development and application of AI in Germany. In 2019,
it launched several funding initiatives to cover work on IT security, autonomous driving and to look
into the explainability and accountability of AI systems. Up to and including 2025, the federal
government intends to provide around €3 billion to implement the strategy.
The research framework programme on IT security entitled ‘Self-determined and secure in the
digital world 2015-2020‘ for the first time bundles IT security research activities across departments.
The framework programme has a budget of over €210 million and is set to run until 2020. Funding is
provided for a broad range of activities such as quantum communication, post-quantum
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cryptography, artificial intelligence for IT security, IT security for critical infrastructure and hardware
security.
The QuNET research initiative to develop a highly secure network for the federal government on the
basis of quantum communication is particularly worthy of note here. Also, multiple initiatives taken
by the federal government also support the digitisation of SMEs, which is necessary to boost the
digital transformation of the German economy.
Furthermore, as for education, 100 million euros funding is provided from the Digital Pact School for
the rapid development of infrastructure and the expansion of digital education in the crisis. Digital
education is the joint responsibility of the federal and state governments. On the federal side, the
Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) is responsible and the Federal Ministry of
Labour and Social Affairs (BMAS) is also responsible for further training.
It is notable, Germany is very advanced on 5G and is above EU average in the digital skills indicators.
On the other hand, it lags behind in the deployment of VHCN, and has a relatively weak
performance in the digitisation of businesses and in digital public services.
The government considers several measures to improve mobile infrastructure supply in poorly
served areas. These measures may include, among others, a subsidy programme for areas with no
coverage, a strategy on how to streamline permit procedures and how to facilitate access to state-
owned real property for extending and for densification of mobile networks. At the regional level, in
Bavaria, a state aid scheme funding passive mobile infrastructure had been approved by the
Commission in November 2018.
The first “digitisation lab” for the housing benefits service started as a pilot project to test a new
method of digital transformation of public services in Germany, in 2018. The results of the lab
(including a clickable prototype, data fields and a process model) formed the basis for the technical
implementation of a user-friendly online service. The first municipalities could offer an online
application system for citizens to apply for housing benefits -end of 2019- and the same method was
applied to over 30 high priority public services (applications for driving licences, parental benefits
etc.).
The key advantages are in developing user-friendly services in a short period of time. Core features
of the method are agility, user centricity and the use of an interdisciplinary team. After an analysis of
the current process, employees from federal and state ministries and agencies came together with
user experience designers and real users in design thinking workshops. After the first workshop, a
draft version of a user-friendly click prototype of a digital public service is developed and
subsequently tested in iterative versions with users, the agencies and ministries.
Over 20 labs had developed a user-friendly click prototype, with technical implementation already
started or due to start soon, by the end of 2019. Germany plans to set up more labs to work on
other important services in 2020.
 Hungary:
Hungary ranks 21st out of 28 EU Member States in the Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI)
2020. Over the last few years, its score improved broadly in line with the EU average. Hungary ranks
most highly on broadband connectivity. It is among the leaders in the take-up of at least 100 Mbps
broadband, 5G readiness, and also scores well in Overall fixed broadband take-up. It still lags behind
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in Digital public services and in the Integration of digital technologies in businesses. The country
ranks 24th on Digital public services despite the remarkable improvement in all indicators in this
area. Most companies are not exploiting the opportunities offered by digital technologies, such as
cloud computing and big data, and few of them sell online. On Human capital, over half of the
population lacks basic digital skills and software skills.
As regards connectivity, Hungary ranks 7th after showing significant improvement in the past year.
Fast broadband coverage improved further with 3 percentage points to 90% of households above
the EU average.
The vast majority of projects under the Superfast Internet Programme deployed FTTH technology,
enabling speeds envisaged in the gigabit society targets. The project intends to cover all Hungarian
households – the connectivity of almost 410.000 households is financed by EU structural funds –,
with networks supplying at least 30 Mbps broadband by 2023.
Hungary is 3rd regarding the 5G readiness indicator with 61%. The 5G strategy elaborated on the
basis of the proposals of the 5G Coalition (5GC) has not been adopted yet by the Hungarian
government. The 5GC was launched by the Digital Success Programme, and aims to make Hungary a
major European center of 5G developments. It should also take the leading role in the region in
testing 5G applications.
In Human capital Hungary is below the EU average. It is cause for concern that no progress has been
made in digital skills and in advanced specialist skills in recent years. At least basic digital skills
remained well below the EU average and at least basic software skills are also modest.
The Digital Education Strategy, which was launched in 2016, covers all levels of the education
system, including public education, vocational training, higher education and lifelong learning. To
implement this strategy, the government set up the Digital Pedagogical Methodology Centre. Its role
is to support the digital transformation of public education, provide the professional background
and expert base, and support applications and priority projects.
Last year new regulations on vocational training, higher education and public education entered into
force (11/2020, 12/2020 government regulation) emphasizing the importance of digital skills.
The Digital Workforce Programme was launched in 2018 and includes four pillars:
 First, it aims to improve how labor market needs are measured, and how the digital economy
is monitored in general.
 Second, it develops a new digital competence framework using the EU’s DigComp 2.1
framework for citizens, and integrates it into the input and output requirements of the
training system.
 Third, it focuses on motivational factors through the lifelong learning support system, the
expansion of e-learning and blended learning opportunities as well as through providing
financial benefits and support for disadvantaged groups.
 Fourth, the programme includes different training programmes, such as general IT training
(short cycle), on-the-job training and specific training for career changers and for those
without higher education. In addition, the programme provides for National Digital Skills
Councils to be set up to assist in analyzing skills mismatches. This may bring about changes in
education and promote certifications of skills.
EU funds are widely used to finance government initiatives. They are used to help develop digital
skills in both the inactive and working population, narrow the skills gap and to boost the inclusion of
disadvantaged people. Initiatives concentrate on both basic digital skills for the digitally illiterate and
professional skills for the workforce, including ICT specialists.
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The Hungarian government has introduced several measures on the e-inclusion of senior citizens. In
2019, 6,000 received training in a pilot project to help them develop basic IT skills (computers, smart
devices and internet). Based on the experience of the pilot, the government also published a
detailed handbook to facilitate self-learning. In addition, video chat has been installed in elderly care
homes, and a special service keeps regular contact with senior citizens through this channel. This
programme has been running for 2 years and has more than 6,000 participants.
Several programmes are in place to develop the skills of the working age population. The EDIOP
6.1.2 programme has provided some 200.000 people with digital skills training. The EDIOP 3.3.1.
programme has set up 1.500 community digital access points (“Digital Success Programme Points”)
with ICT trainings for those with low digital skills.
The ‘Programme your future’ project continued in 2019. It aims to boost the number of students
that graduate in ICT and improve cooperation between the educational institutions and the ICT
sector. Within the programme, three experience centers have been created (Győr, Budapest,
Debrecen) to motivate pupils of primary and secondary schools to study IT and engineering. In 2019,
1.330 activities were organised in Hungary during the EU Code Week.
The government has launched two initiatives to increase the number of women in ICT. TechGirls is
organised by the German-Hungarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, while Girls’ Day is
organised by the Association of Hungarian Women in Science. Both target 14–18-year-olds.
Hungary has set up the National Coalition for Digital Skills and Jobs to facilitate stakeholder
discussions on tackling the shortage of digitally skilled people in the Hungarian labor market and
help the government develop and implement adequate strategies. Alongside to that, “digital topic
weeks” are organized on a regular basis to promote digital pedagogic methodologies.
The country continued to implement the various national strategies designed to tackle the issues
related to digital skills. The related initiatives aim to address the main aspects of the digital skills
gap. The proper and timely implementation of the Digital Education Strategy is key to improving the
country’s performance on both internet user skills and advanced digital skills.
Overall, the use of internet services in Hungary is broadly comparable with the EU average. 80% of
the population use the internet at least once a week, but is still below the EU average of 85%.
Hungary remained one of the worst performing EU countries in the Integration of digital technology
in businesses. ICT adoption is low across all indicators measured in this area. The use of enterprise
resource planning software packages to share information electronically is the lowest in the EU. The
facts that 57% of companies in Hungary has a very low level of digitisation (39% in the EU) and only
15% are highly digitized (26% in the EU) are cause for concern.
Hungary continued with the Modern Enterprises Programme, which is managed by the Hungarian
Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The programme provides businesses in rural areas with non-
financial services and free services, helping them to join the digital economy and increase their
competitiveness. More than 11.000 companies have taken part in this initiative to date. Linked to
the above programme, the ‘Support of the introduction of business ICT, mobile solutions and cloud
services’ scheme provided 923 SMEs with funding (grants or loans) for digitizion of their operations.
Country’s total high-performance computing (HPC) capacity is currently less than 0.5 petaflops,
which is not enough for advanced R&D needs. The government launched the national HPC
development plan in 2019 to expand the national HPC infrastructure and ecosystem. In the first
phase, a 5 petaflops HPC center will be installed at Debrecen University by the end of 2021. Most
businesses, especially SMEs, still do not take advantage of digital technologies. It is, therefore,
essential to continue to raise awareness and further develop funding programmes. In addition,
policies and initiatives for emerging technologies such as HPC and AI will be vital to boost the
competitiveness of the economy in the longer term.
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Digital public services have been one of the most challenging areas of the digital economy and
society in Hungary. Although the country still ranks a lowly 24th, it has started to catch up with the
rest of the EU by improving the quality of e-government services. It now ranks 20th on e-
government users, pre- filled forms (measuring the re-use of information across administrations to
make life easier for individuals) and on online service completion (measuring the sophistication of
services).
On the other hand, Hungary has the lowest score in the EU for open data. To tackle the main
problems concerning the use of public data, the Hungarian government is about to establish a new
governmental data agency (NAVÜ) with the aim of developing a new model for managing the use of
public data and creating an optimal legal framework.
Since January 2019, all municipalities have been providing their online services on a single platform
through intelligent online forms with pre-filled information. The user interface of the e-government
portal for municipalities has been reworked to integrate it with the new national point of single
contact portal (https://szuf.magyarorszag.hu), and single sign-on between them also ensures a more
seamless user experience.
In 2018, a new platform for public e-procurement has been launched (Digital Governmental Agency)
that centralized the procurement activities of several government entities. It made the procurement
processes more effective, less expensive, helped government institutions avoid duplications and
ensured stronger interoperability.
In 2019, the electronic services of the police improved significantly: it became possible to process
220 cases fully online with the use of pre-filled online forms and e-payment. Furthermore, the
vehicle service platform was launched on the national e-government portal to provide official
information from the vehicle registry free of charge (‘car history check’). Users can check all
technical data for the vehicle, the number of previous owners, the mileage registered during official
technical checks since 2012 and all accidents and damages registered after January 2019. This can
help reduce used car scams.
In Hungary, the application for registering a company has been a ‘one-stop shop’ electronic process
for years, but it may only be made by a legal representative. The ‘one-stop shop’ means that the
relevant authorities automatically obtain all the necessary information via an electronic system after
the court has registered the company. This means that the applicant does not have to deal with the
tax authorities to get a tax number or the statistical office to get a statistical identification number.
In the health sector , a nationwide e -health infrastructure (`Elektronikus Egészségü gyi Szolgáltatási
Tér- EESZT`) was launched already in 2017. Health service providers are obliged to use EESZT. The
platform allows health service providers to have access to all the relevant data of patients at all level
of the healthcare system.
To further improve digital public services, all public administration bodies are obliged to introduce
structured online forms for services used at least 100 times a month. If implemented properly, this
may not only increase the number of e-government service transactions, but may also result in large
efficiency gains in public administration.
 Ireland:
Ireland ranks 6th out of 28 EU Member States in the Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI) 2020.
Over the last five years, Ireland was the fastest growing Member State in the EU.
Ireland continues to rank first in the Integration of digital technology dimension, and has maintained
a leading position in the use of e-Commerce by SMEs. Country entered the ‘top 10’ on the Use of
internet by individuals and recorded a notable increase in the share of internet users. It maintained
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its top 10 position in digital public services, where it excels in open data and the provision of digital
public services for businesses. There was no substantial change in Ireland`s position in the Human
capital and Connectivity dimensions despite some improvement in key indicators where it has been
lagging behind, such as the digital skills of the wider population.
The implementation of the publicly funded scheme under the National Broadband Plan has started.
Following approval by the European Commission under State aid rules (Commission Decision in Case
SA.54472 (2019/N) – Ireland, National Broadband Plan), the Irish government signed a contract on
19 November 2019 with National Broadband Ireland following a competitive tendering process. This
state intervention targets rural areas where there is no existing or planned commercial network that
can reliably deliver at least 30 Mbps download speeds to all premises. With an indicative budget of
€2.6 billion, it aims to deliver ultrafast coverage to around 540,000 premises in rural Ireland using
mainly fibre. The NBP will see approximately 300 community facilities receive access to free, high
speed broadband.
Ireland has been making progress in the deployment of 5G networks and services and has already
awarded 5G spectrum in the 3.4-3.8 GHz band. Market players are eager to invest in 5G, and two
mobile operators have already announced the launch of 5G services in selected sites. The award
process is planned to begin in Q4 2020. Access to sites and public land (and the relevant costs)
remains an important challenge for the deployment of 5G networks.
One of the success stories in the Irish has been the establishment of the Mobile Phone and
Broadband Taskforce. The Taskforce has worked to address specific issues affecting upon the
delivery of mobile phone and broadband services, through committed engagement with a wide
range of stakeholders. Under the Taskforce, a Broadband Officer has been appointed in every local
authority around the country. Their role is to act as local contact points for operators and the public
on telecoms issues. The industry recognises that they have helped resolve numerous issues. They
are also expected to play a key role in developing local digital strategies as the National Broadband
Plan is rolled out.
The award of the contract for implementing the National Broadband Plan is a major development
for Ireland. It can help bridge the geographical divide and expand the footprint of ultrafast
broadband networks in rural Ireland, helping achieve the gigabit society targets for 2025. Its
successful implementation will benefit from the effective monitoring and enforcement of the
relevant rules in the Irish electronic communications market. Equally important is the timely award
of 5G spectrum.
The proportion of people with above basic digital skills is slightly above the EU average. While still
below the EU average, there was an improvement in the indicators that measure the basic digital
skills of the general population.
The country continued its efforts to address the shortages in high-level ICT skills. In November 2018,
the government launched the €300 million Human Capital Initiative under the Skills and Talent pillar
of the Future Jobs Ireland framework. Universities can use this special fund (€60 million per year
over 5 years) to adapt to the needs of the knowledge-based economy. High-level ICT skills feature
prominently among the fund’s main objectives. For example, the money can be spent by universities
to encourage graduates to reskill in areas with skill shortages and in emerging technologies, e.g., ICT,
high-end manufacturing, data analytics, robotics or AI.
This would complement Ireland’s flagship reskilling programme, Springboard+, which also has a
substantial focus on high-level ICT skills. The initiative will also respond to the targets outlined in the
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National Skills Strategy and Technology Skills 2022 action plan. In addition to efforts to increase the
supply of ‘home-grown’ ICT specialists through this and other initiatives, migrant ICT talent
continues to play an important role in plugging gaps in the supply of such skills (the proportion of
non-Irish workers in ICT is well above the national average of 16%).
As for the general digital skills of the overall population, the Future Jobs Ireland 2019 framework set
the target for Ireland to catch up with the EU by 2025. In practice, this would mean that the
proportion of people with at least basic digital skills would be equal to or higher than the EU
average. Further education and training will pay a key role in this: Future Jobs Ireland 2019 targets
the doubling of participation in lifelong learning by 2025. Ireland has not so far published a detailed
plan on how to achieve the specific digital skills objective, and no new major policy initiatives have
been launched in the past year. When looking at the number of beneficiaries of various further
education and training initiatives in 2019, digital skills have not been too prominent.
Finally, digital skills gaps of the workforce continue to be addressed through the skills infrastructure
which includes the National Skills Council, the Regional Skills Fora, the Expert Group on Future Skills
Needs and the Skills and Labor Market Research Unit, who have identified programmes such as
Explore and Skills to Advance as being crucial to support low skilled employees upskill and reskill.
Ireland ranks 8th in the Use of Internet services dimension. The number of internet users increased
significantly (from 80% to 88%) and exceeds the EU average. As in other EU countries, Irish internet
users engage in a variety of activities online.
Ireland maintained its top position in the Integration of digital technology dimension. SMEs in
Ireland continue to excel in e-commerce: 35% of them sell online and 18% sell to other EU countries,
well above the EU averages of 18% and 8% respectively. 29% of their total turnover comes from
online sales, almost three times the EU average of 11%. Irish companies also rank relatively high on
the use of big data (20%), cloud services (33%) and social media (44%).
In its March 2019 report, the European Investment Bank said there was scope to improve financing
for SMEs looking to adopt digital technologies and/or to develop and supply digital products and
technologies. It has subsequently been concluded that existing financing channels were currently
sufficient, but there was scope for making better use of them. The government therefore intends to
help SMEs make better use of existing financing channels such as the EU COSME pilot scheme
launched in October 2019.
While recognising various government initiatives to support the digitisation of businesses in Ireland,
the European Investment Bank also noted the lack of overall policy coordination and strategies. The
Irish Industry 4.0 strategy was launched in December 2019 and work is at an advanced stage to
adopt a new national digital strategy and an artificial intelligence strategy.
Country’s ambition to stay at the forefront of technological developments was also reiterated in the
Future Jobs Ireland framework. €100 million has since been made available to support innovative
and transformative technology investments under the Disruptive Technologies Fund. The fund is a
key policy initiative to achieve this goal, and one of its priority areas is ICT. Only projects that involve
collaboration between businesses, SMEs and researchers are eligible for funding. This is consistent
with Ireland’s other initiatives to forge a close relationship between companies and research
institutes and to help SMEs profit from such relationships.
Technology Centre and Technology Gateway programmes and Knowledge Transfer Ireland continue
to drive this forward. Furthermore, the European Commission selected CeADAR, Ireland’s national
center for applied data analytics and AI, as one of 30 digital innovation hubs to create a network for
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cross-border cooperation on AI. Helping SMEs benefit from the use of AI is a key aim of this
initiative.
The digitisation of SMEs and the development of a vibrant local tech sector continues to be a
priority for Ireland. The government recognises the critical role of targeted public funding as well as
the need to exploit the considerable synergies between innovation-friendly policies that support
both the business sector and the research and education sector.
Ireland rank 9th among EU countries in digital public services and it is well above the EU average.
Country continues to score very high in open data and kept its almost perfect score for digital public
services for businesses.
The implementation of mid-term strategies continued over the past year. An important step in
achieving the goals of these strategies was the adoption of the Data Sharing and Governance Act
2019 in March 2019. It aims to provide the legal basis for public bodies to share data while also
setting out appropriate safeguards (in compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation).
Effective data sharing is particularly important to make sure that users do not have to provide the
same information over and over again for different purposes. This Act and the associated Data
Strategy will therefore make it easier to make services more user-friendly and should help improve
Ireland’s score in the relevant indicators (e.g., on pre-filled forms). Moreover, the planned MyData
portal will ensure that the data Government holds and how it is used will be made totally
transparent to the citizen.
Progress has also been made on the Digital Services Gateway (gov.ie), a future one-stop shop for all
digital public services: over half of the government departments have fully migrated to the platform,
with the remaining migrations scheduled for 2020 completion. Customer research and web-site
analytics are showing that this approach is working; with more people visiting the portal, staying on
its pages for longer, and finding the overall process easier and more satisfying.
A new initiative announced in May 2019 aims to create a digital post box service so individuals can
receive government letters digitally in a secure electronic mailbox. This would also result in
significant cost savings. Making services more user-friendly is also behind the consultation launched
by the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO) to identify individuals’ difficulties
when trying to interact digitally with public bodies. OGCIO have also developed a partnership with
Trinity Business School in which 120 postgraduate Digital Marketing Strategy students navigate “life
events” online and provide constructive criticism to the client departments.
Ireland recognises the need to make its digital public services more user-friendly and is making
progress on this. This may improve its average scores in the indicators over time, which measure the
experience of not only businesses but also the public.
 Italy:
Italy ranks 25th out of 28 EU Member States in the 2020 edition of the Digital Economy and Society
Index (DESI). Data prior to the pandemic shows that the country has a good ranking in terms of 5G
preparedness, as all the pioneer bands were assigned and the first commercial services were
launched.
There are significant gaps as regards Human Capital. Italy records very low levels of basic and
advanced digital skills. The number of ICT specialists and ICT graduates is also well below the EU
average. These gaps in digital skills are reflected in the low use of online services, including digital
public services. Only 74% of Italians are regular internet users. Although the country ranks relatively
high in its offer of e-government services, public take-up remains low. Similarly, Italian enterprises
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lag behind in the use of technologies such as cloud and big data, as well as in the uptake of e-
commerce.
The Italian ultra-broadband strategy aims at achieving the objective of Gigabit society.
In 2019, Italy completed Phase I of the ultra-broadband Italian plan for white areas (so-called ‘C&D
areas’) and awarded the last of the three tenders to the wholesale-only operator Open Fiber. The
practical roll-out of the plan is now fully underway but remains beset by serious delays. One of the
main reasons behind these delays is the difficulty in accessing existing infrastructure and in
obtaining permits. A partial solution to this problem has been found thanks to the Conferenza di
Servizi, a legal instrument aimed at simplifying procedures involving the public administration. This
has produced positive results in the regions where it was implemented. Italy also brought in new
legal provisions with the 2019 Simplification Decree aimed at accelerating the permit-granting
process. According to the Italian authorities, in mid-April 2020, work had begun in over 2.600
municipalities and the infrastructure has been completed in 600 municipalities.
Italy is considering further measures as part of a Phase II of the Italian broadband plan, which may
include vouchers to encourage take-up and may frame an investment plan for grey areas.
Black areas have seen an increase in infrastructure competition, confirming the trend seen over the
past years.
In 2019, as part of the WiFi.Italia.It project, the Italian government launched the ‘Piazza Wi-Fi Italia’
project. With a dedicated fund of €45 million, this involves installing new public Wi-Fi hotspots,
extending the previous intervention aimed primarily at small municipalities (with fewer than 2,000
inhabitants) and to the municipalities affected by the 2016 earthquake. At the end of March 2020,
2,896 municipalities had joined the project and the authorities launched the procedure for installing
the Wi-Fi hotspot in 1,112 of them.
Country is ranked third on the 5G readiness indicator. 94% of the spectrum harmonised at EU level
for wireless broadband has been assigned in Italy. 5G trials, which started in 2017, are still ongoing,
both as part of the programme launched by the Ministry of Economic Development “5 cities for 5G”
and under voluntary agreements between operators and municipalities.
Italy confirms the rising trend in infrastructure-based competition and implementation of the ultra-
broadband plan is now fully ongoing. Some steps are being taken to address the ongoing delays in
the completion of works in white areas. Italy confirms the rising trend in infrastructure-based
competition and implementation of the ultra- broadband plan is now fully ongoing. Some steps are
being taken to address the ongoing delays in the completion of works in white areas.
In 2019, Italy dropped two places and now ranks last in the EU on the Human Capital dimension.
Only 42% of people aged 16-74 years have at least basic digital skills (58% in the EU) and only 22%
have above basic digital skills (33% in the EU). In terms of policy response, Italy incorporates
measures on digital skills into several sectoral strategies.
In primary and secondary schools, implementation of the National Plan for Digital Schools is
gradually progressing, although not all Italian schools run education projects on digital skills or offer
courses on computational thinking. A positive development is the new obligation for teachers to
have coding competences. In 2019, many Italian schools participated in EU Code Week, which
attracted some 621.000 people across the country to participate in almost 17.500 events.
Measures to support advanced digital skills are included in the National Plan ‘Enterprise 4.0’. Under
this plan, the government activated the tax credit for ‘Training 4.0’ in 2018 and extended it to 2020.
However, data on the first years of implementation shows that uptake of the tax credit was
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significantly lower than expected, because of regulatory constraints. The new plan ‘Transition 4.0’
extends the measure and simplifies its implementation to increase uptake.
Actions also focused on strengthening post-secondary technical education and vocational training
institutes (“Istituti Tecnici Superiori”, or “ITS”). In 2019, the “ITS 4.0” project involved over 1.170 ITS
students and about 130 partner companies in 106 technological innovation projects focusing on
technologies such as 3D printing, virtual reality and big data. “Transition 4.0” reinforces the role of
“ITS”, by including them among the institutes that can provide “Training 4.0” under the tax credit
scheme.
Finally, the government tackles digital skills in “Italia 2025”, its five-year strategy for innovation and
digitisation launched in 2019. In particular, the strategy includes ‘Digital Republic’, an initiative
promoted and coordinated by the Ministry for Technological Innovation and Digitization. The
initiative aims to build an alliance between public and private organisations and citizens, and invite
them to take concrete action to promote digital skills. ‘Digital Republic’ focuses on three lines of
action:
(i) boosting basic digital skills

(ii) promoting upskilling and reskilling of the workforce and
(iii) developing ICT and emerging technologies skills.
It also includes a project to provide senior citizens, especially those living in small and isolated
towns, with a tablet and assistance by volunteers. Italy is taking initiatives to increase digital skills
and address e-inclusion. Intensifying and bringing together efforts would help reduce the digital
divide amongst the population and ensure that most have at least basic digital skills. A
comprehensive approach to upskilling and reskilling of the workforce including an increase in
advanced digital skills would also be an important step
Shortly after the launch of the initiative, over 60 stakeholders had already joined the ‘Digital
Republic’, including businesses, municipalities and other public entities, and associations. In the
context of the ‘Digital Republic’, Italian authorities set up a national Digital Skills and Job Coalition.
The low use of internet services reflects the low level of digital skills. 17% of people living in Italy
have still never used the internet, this is almost double the EU average and places the c The National
Plan “Enterprise 4.0” (i.e., Piano Nazionale Impresa 4.0), launched in 2016, has been a key
instrument to support the digital transformation of Italian enterprises. Tax deductions for
investment in capital goods (i.e., super- and hyper-depreciation) were among the most significant
measures in the plan, and they have proved to be effective in stimulating investment. However,
these measures were mainly used by medium and large enterprises, and especially for investment in
tangible (i.e., machinery) rather than intangible goods.
On this basis, with the 2020 budget law, the Ministry of Economic Development (MISE) allocated €7
billion to a new ‘Transition 4.0’ plan (Transizione 4.0), redefined support measures and adopted a
multi-annual planning approach to provide enterprises with a stable scenario. The changes
introduced with ‘Transition 4.0’ are expected to facilitate SMEs access to tax credits for research,
development and innovation, and to increase the number of beneficiary firms by 40%. Moreover,
the plan emphasizes innovation, green investment and intellectual property, with attention on the
sectors that characterize the ‘Made in Italy’.
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At the end of 2019, the government also activated the vouchers for innovation managers, to help
SMEs in their digital transformation processes and the adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies (e.g.,
big data, cloud, cybersecurity, robotics). Another important development was the launch of the
National Innovation Fund, with an initial budget of €1 billion. The Fund operates on the basis of
Venture Capital methodologies and, by leveraging public and private resources, supports investment
in start-ups, scale-ups and innovative SMEs.
In Italy, there is a network of Competence Centers financed by the MISE, and a significant number of
support centers for SMEs, such as the Digital Innovation Hubs (run by business associations) and
Punti Impresa Digitale (operating within the chambers of commerce). Although with different
scopes of action and specialisation levels, these centers contribute to bringing together enterprises,
Universities, research institutes and technology experts and play an important role when it comes to
raising awareness of digital transformation, providing services and networking opportunities. In
collaboration with Unioncamere (union of chambers of commerce), the government began mapping
the activities and areas of specialisation of existing centers. The results are expected to feed into an
‘Atlas 4.0’ (Atlante 4.0), a portal to showcase and raise awareness of the range of organisations that
support technology transfer and digital transformation.
Regarding new digital technologies, the country is one of eight hosting sites of a pre-exascale class
computer funded by the EuroHPC Joint Undertaking. Italy is involved in European projects in the
field of quantum computing, such as CiViQ, 2D·SIPC, and Quantum Flagship. Emerging technologies
are also targeted by the national initiative “House of emerging technologies”, aimed to boost the
uptake of technologies such as AI, blockchain and Internet of Things by SMEs. In its framework, at
the end of 2019, the government signed an agreement for the setting up of the first “House” in
Matera.
In 2019, the government launched two new national strategies, one on AI and another on
Blockchain, with the support of groups of experts from industry, academia and social partners. The
draft strategy on AI was opened for public consultation, it takes a comprehensive approach,
including on aspects related to ethics, trust and education policies. Regarding Blockchain, the group
of experts appointed by the government provided scientific and technical support on a number of
aspects linked to Distributed Ledger Technologies and, at the end of 2019, delivered a draft that will
form the basis for the future National Strategy on Blockchain.
The government also announced a number of initiatives to support the development and uptake of
key technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence, robotics and cybersecurity in its “Italy 2025”
strategy. Providing for a stable framework, refocusing incentives on SMEs, and increasing the
effectiveness and outreach of support services are all steps in the right direction. A systemic
approach over time, greater investment and involvement of all relevant players are all important
elements to raise the level of digitisation of Italian SMEs and boost the digital economy of the
country.
Italy ranks 19th in the EU on Digital public services. This places the country below the EU average,
even though Italy performs well regarding the offer of digital services and open data. Italy
outperforms the EU on online service completion, digital public services for businesses and open
data. The low overall ranking of the country is due to the low level of online interaction between
public authorities and the general public. Only 32% of Italian online users engage actively with e-
government services (compared with the EU average of 67%).
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The establishment of the new Ministry for Technological Innovation and Digitisation in September
2019 represented a significant novelty in the governance of policies for the digitisation of public
services. The new ministry took the lead on the digitisation of public administration and integrated
the Digital Transformation Team. The tasks of the Digital Italy Agency (AgID), in charge of
implementing the Italian Digital Agenda, are expected to be reorganised.
The strategy “Italia 2025” gives the public administration a central role as an enabler and driver of
innovation and digitisation in Italy. Moreover, in March 2019, the government adopted a new
“Three- Year Plan for Information Technology in the Public Administration 2019 – 2021”. The plan
sets out a comprehensive list of actions and places. Particular emphasis on the adoption of a cloud
paradigm in the public administration with the objective of rationalising the current digital
infrastructure and services and improve their security, efficiency, and reliability. The plan also
reiterates the importance of people ‘responsible for digital transformation’ (RTD), i.e., designated
officers in charge of supporting digital transformation in their administration. 2019 saw an
exponential growth in the number of RTD appointments throughout the public administration.
The implementation of key e-government projects accelerated notably in 2019. The uptake of the
eIDAS-compliant e -identity system (Sistema Pubblico di Identità Digitale or SPID ) significantly
increased to reach 5,5 million citizens in January 2020. However, the number of public
administrations providing access to digital public services through the SPID remained relatively
stable (4.100, against a target of 10.000 administrations in 2020). In parallel, use of the electronic
identity card (CIE, notified under the eIDAS Regulation) is picking up, with 99.9% of Italian
municipalities able to issue it, and 97.8% of citizens covered.
Centralising the digital population registries (Anagrafe Nazionale Popolazione Residente or ANPR) is
another major project that aims to consolidate into a single register personal information spread
across 8.000 administrations and increase efficiency and simplification. Implementation of this
project improved between 2019 and 2020 and saw an increase from 21% of target administrations
covered at the beginning of 2019 to 68% at the beginning of 2020.
Regarding cybersecurity, Italy launched the pilot phase of a National Cyber-Attack Platform in 2019.
It enables the automated exchange of information between public administrations on cyber risks,
with the objective of preventing and responding to cyber-attacks. The country has received €316
million in co-funding from the European Regional Development Fund for projects related to e-
government services and applications.
Overall, the acceleration seen in 2019 in implementing key e-government projects may make up for
the delays accumulated over previous years and bring Italy closer to the targets. Sustained and
extended action is important to achieve digitisation in all areas and in all local administrations. The
setting up of a new Minister is expected to rationalise the current governance system and
streamline the complex set of institutions involved.
 Latvia:
Progress report on the strategies of Latvia's National Reform Program "Europe 2020"(NRP) in the
context of implementation concluded that Latvia has made significant improvements in digital public
services and well above the European Union (EU) average thanks to the active use of e-government
solutions and the availability of open data for public data portal, allowing access to and linking of
public administration data sets and metadata to other data clusters. Further steps are being taken
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to increase the efficiency of public administration, effectively using cloud computing services to
reduce administrative burdens and create a more favorable business environment for
entrepreneurs, including small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
The NRP progress report indicates that the country is continuing to invest more citizens to use e-
government services. 83% of Internet users used eGovernment services. Such results have been
achieved through the implementation of a wide range communication and study program “My
Latvia. Do it digitally!”, within which were trained 6.000 state and municipal employees, teachers,
librarians and journalists to improve him knowledge of digital solutions so that they can help people
move from person to person use of services to use of services digitally. The program offers
information and video tutorials on more than 500 e-services and collaborating on more than 30state
institution.
In contrast, Latvian companies are not fully exploiting their digitalisation potential, which lags
behind the EU average and no significant progress has been made on digital technologies integration
in companies. Latvian companies still make insufficient use of goods and services online sales
potential in terms of e-commerce between SMEs and related turnover significantly below the EU
average. Only 11% of SMEs sell less online on the EU average of 17,5%. The proportion of SMEs
trading across borders remains high lower than the EU average (only 6.6% of all SMEs compared to
8,4% in the EU as a whole), and only an average of 5,3% of SME turnover comes from the online
segment.
Companies only limited uses electronic information exchange, e-cloud computing services and social
media, and only 7,7% of companies use big data. Improvements in the integration of digital services
in enterprises are limited by highly skilled lack of specialists. Almost half of all Latvian companies
that want to hire Information and communication technology (ICT) specialists report difficulties in
filling vacancies.
Latvia ranks 18th out of the 28 EU Member States in the 2020 Digital Economy and Society Index
(DESI). The country performs well in digital public services and connectivity. The quality of e-
government services continued to improve last year and the number of users rose. Latvia has very
good broadband coverage with fast and very high-capacity networks, and has already allocated a
radio spectrum for 5G.
The country has made good progress on the national broadband strategy goals for 2013-2020, which
include the Digital Agenda for Europe targets and the Gigabit society objectives. However, take-up
of 100 Mbps fixed broadband speed remains substantially below the targeted 50% of households.
Closing the digital divide between urban and rural areas has been one of the main objectives of the
broadband strategy.
The national 5G roadmap was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers in February 2020. Latvia is one
of the front-runners in preparation for the deployment of 5G, ranking 5th on the 5G readiness
indicator with 33% of 5G spectrum assigned. Commercial 5G services are available in in the cities
Jelgava and Daugavpils.
Although Latvia does not have a specific digital skills strategy, the development of digital skills is
addressed in several sectoral policies. The main ones are:
(i) the 2014-2020 Information Society Development Guidelines 2014-2020, which
include ICT education and e-Skills in one of seven main pillars.
(ii) the 2014-2020 Education Development Guidelines, which include measures to
promote and modernise digital skills and science, technology, engineering and maths
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(STEM) studies, to use ICT in the learning process, and to develop teachers’ digital
skills.
(iii) the 2014-2020 Science, Technological Development and Innovation Guidelines,
whose smart specialisation strategy includes digital skills and
(iv) Latvia’s 2019-2022 cybersecurity strategy.
Taken together, these strategies address a wide range of challenges, notably: (i) basic digital skills of
workers and other individuals (ii) skills of ICT professionals (iii) digital skills in the public sector and in
education and (iv) awareness about cyber security.
On the reskilling of the workforce, in Latvia, ICT programmes are an integral part of active labor
market policy. There are 10 digital skills programmes available for unemployed people and one
vocational ICT training programme. There are also various shorter-term courses on ICT use available
to older workers, including internet-based ones.
The public’s digital skills, more broadly, are promoted though the ‘ICTskills4All’ project, while the
‘Count me In’ project is addressing the skills of the disabled. Latvia also takes part in the
‘Women4IT’, a multi-stakeholder partnership involving different countries, which aims to boost the
participation of women in the digital sector, by providing tools to assess digital skills, training and
personalised career guidance. The country has set up a national Digital Skills and Jobs Coalition,
coordinated by LIKTA.
The digital transformation of the Latvian economy is addressed in broader national strategies and
guidelines (such as the 2014-2020 National Development Plan, the 2014-2020 Guidelines for
Science, Technology Development and Innovation, and the 2014-2020 Guidelines for National
Industrial Policy). Moreover, a key part of the Latvian Smart Specialisation Strategy (RIS3) is to
develop innovation ecosystems to foster and support technological progress. The government is
currently focusing on strategic projects to develop innovation ecosystems in three areas: smart
cities, smart materials and biomedicine.
The government supports the digital transformation of enterprises through a number of

complementary programmes and initiatives (also making use of EU funding). In particular, since
2016, the ‘Competence Centre Programme’ has enabled eight competence centers to be set up,
corresponding to areas of Latvia’s Smart Specialisation Strategy. The centers target enterprises of
any size and promote research and industrial cooperation in new product and technology
development projects. They have to earmark at least 25% of their funding for experimental
development.
In addition to these competence centers, Latvia has three Digital Innovation Hubs which are
expected to act as centers of digital excellence and one-stop-shops for digital transformation.
The Technology Transfer programme is another initiative to promote innovation activities in SMEs.
The programme provides: (i) innovation vouchers (e.g., for feasibility studies, industrial research,
experimental development and attracting highly qualified personnel), (ii) research and innovation
support (e.g., developing commercialisation offers or participating in exhibitions and conferences)
and (iii) start-up support (e.g., meetings with potential investors).
Support for the digitisation of enterprises also includes initiatives to develop advanced digital skills.
For example, LIKTA supports training programmes that boost the uptake of digital tools, particularly
by SMEs. In particular, the EU-cofunded “SMEs trainings for digital technologies and innovation
development” project, launched in 2016, was aimed at entrepreneurs, managers and SME
employees. By the end of December 2019 over 1.200 companies had been involved in the project,
and more than 3.900 training activities had been organised.
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In June 2019, the Latvian government adopted its national AI strategy, following a public
consultation. The document defines the way forward in promoting the use of AI solutions over the
next three years, and invites ministries to identify areas where AI can be exploited for the
automation of public administration tasks.
More specifically, its key objectives include:
(i) promoting AI in education and science
(ii) making data, data transfer and computation capacity available
(iii) the use of AI in the public sector
(iv) encouraging the adoption of AI in economic sectors
(v) actively engaging in international cooperation
(vi) integrating automation and AI in all sectoral strategies and
(vii) creating an appropriate legal framework and assessment system.
The country is a member of the EuroHPC Joint Undertaking and has signed the Declaration on
European Blockchain Partnership, and the Declaration on Cooperation on Artificial Intelligence.
It is important that Latvia steps up its efforts to boost the digital transformation of businesses. This
includes bringing together the different initiatives and all the relevant players, and raising awareness
of the opportunities the transformation offers.
Latvia ranks 5th in digital public services. It scores above average on all indicators in this area. The
number of e-government users continued to increase and there was a further improvement in the
provision of online public services.
On services for businesses, setting up companies online is supported by national legislation. A
person wanting to register a company online can submit all necessary documents to the Register of
Enterprises. People can also register key life events online. There are currently more than 800 public
services available digitally.
An official e-address (Digital Post-box) enables digital-only communication between the government
(including municipalities), citizens and businesses. Following the activation of such an e-address,
central and local institutions are obliged to communicate with citizen and business digitally only.
In 2020, the government adopted the “Public Service Development Plan 2020-2023”. This plan sets
the policy strategy for years to come and reinforces digital public services by enhancing: proactive
service provision, user-centricity built around key life events, coordinated and integrated approach
in service design, cross-border services, digital-by-default and digital-first principles. Overall, the
plan continues promoting the use of ICT as a tool to build a knowledge-based economy and to
improve the overall quality of life.
European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF) are key for developing public administration
platforms and digital services, and for enabling public administration data to be reused by the
private sector. The Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) can also help fund cross-border eID, cross-
border sectoral data exchange and e-invoices. Customer service centers have also been in place
since 2015 to help people switch to online services.
Regarding e-health, although telemedicine applications for physician-patient consultation are not
currently provided as state-funded services, digital technologies are regularly used by the specialised
medicine centre of the emergency medical service. This centre provides highly qualified specialist
advice to regional hospitals in difficult cases. The centre’s specialists have remote access to
electrocardiograms and visual diagnostic examinations. This remote access allows them to assess
the situation from a distance and then decide whether counselling or surgery at a regional hospital
is needed or whether the patient should be transferred to another hospital.
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Overall, Latvia performs very well and has made progress in the area of digital public administration.
It is important to continue these efforts and enhance open data policies.
 Lithuania:
Lithuania ranks 14th out of 28 EU Member States in the Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI)
2020. The country has improved in most of the measured areas. In particular, it performed
exceptionally well in the integration of digital technology and digital public services. However, some
areas such as human capital are still below the EU average in spite of recent improvements.
Lithuania progressed slower than the EU average in Connectivity. It comes out very strong in mobile,
both in terms of broadband take-up, and 4G coverage. Nevertheless, its performance is still being
undermined by low next generation access (NGA) coverage and low fixed broadband coverage. With
only 68% of the households subscribing to fixed broadband, Lithuania lags significantly behind the
EU average.
To help achieve its targets under the digital agenda for Europe and gigabit society, Lithuania is
implementing the Development of Next Generation Access Infrastructure – RAIN 3 project - a state
aid measure-. The project aims to further develop broadband networks in rural areas between 2018
and 2021. It offers operators that wish to connect end-users with download speeds above 30 Mbps
wholesale access to a newly built fibre backhaul network.
In 2019, the Ministry of Transport and Communications set up a working group on 5G to discuss and
develop together with stakeholders “Guidelines for the development of next-generation mobile
networks (5G) in the Republic of Lithuania for 2020-2025. The government should approve these
guidelines in 2020. They contain a set of measures that would facilitate the deployment of 5G in
Lithuania, e.g., measures on access to sites for radio-network building. Cross-border coordination
issues with Russia related to the 700 MHz and the 3.6 GHz bands persist. Lithuania hopes to
conclude an agreement on the 700 MHz band after Russia decides on moving broadcasting from this
band, even though this will only allow the band to be used for 5G after 2022.
Together with the other Baltic States, Lithuania also started mapping the existing infrastructure in
preparations for the implementation of a cross-border 5G corridor together with other neighbouring
states (most likely, across the Via Baltica motorway). An international consortium of stakeholders
from the Baltic region is also preparing to test autonomous driving in the cross-border areas.
Overall, 34% of the spectrum harmonised at EU level for wireless broadband has been assigned so
far in Lithuania.
However, none of the spectrum in the 5G pioneer bands is assigned at 5G conditions, and Lithuania
scores 0 in the 5G readiness indicator.
Lithuania performs best in digital and software skills, as well as female employment in ICT. However,
the proportion of ICT graduates remains low. The country is implementing policies to increase the
number of ICT specialists, reduce the gender-gap, and boost investments in up-skilling the ICT labor
force. The digital agenda strategy includes measures to encourage more young people to choose ICT
as a career, attract more women to ICT, and improve vocational training for ICT specialists.
The digital agenda strategy in Lithuania aims to reduce the digital divide by encouraging people to
develop new skills in ICT. The latest update of the strategy places even more emphasis on this goal,
and emphasises reaching out to rural, older, disabled and lower-income residents.
Lithuania actively participates in Code Week, a grass-roots movement that celebrates creativity,
problem solving and collaboration through programming and other tech activities. In 2019, the
number of Code Week activities in Lithuania increased to 513, attracting 18.533 participants. Most
participation took place in schools, where 45% of participants were female.
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The Lithuanian IT community welcomes foreign talent from Europe and other parts of the world. For
example, the Digital Explorers 2019 project improves Lithuania’s talent pool through access to IT
specialists from Nigeria.
To prevent disinformation online, Lithuanian media stakeholders have launched the Demaskuok.lt
NGO. This NGO is supported by senior government officials and civil society organisations. Activists
working for Demaskuok.lt are known as digital ‘elves’ and use advanced ICT tools to identify
disinformation articles and immediately debunk them.
The availability of competent and well-educated workers, and the good overall working conditions in
Lithuania, attracts start-ups from neighboring non-EU countries. These start-ups frequently choose
Lithuania as a suitable destination to scale-up their activities.
In conclusion, Lithuania is gradually improving in human capital. This has been thanks to policies
dedicated to:
(i) reducing basic shortfalls in digital skills
(ii) narrowing the gender-gap and
(iii) investing in the up-skilling of the ICT labor force.
These policies have helped Lithuania to make modest improvements in this DESI dimension.
Overall, the use of internet services in Lithuania is comparable with the EU average. Like people
elsewhere in the EU, Lithuanians are keen to engage in a variety of online activities.
Lithuania ranks above the EU average for integration of digital technology. There has been recent
progress on a number of indicators, except e-Commerce turnover. The country excels in electronic
information sharing (48% of Lithuanian enterprises share information electronically compared to an
EU average of 34%). Lithuania also performs exceptionally well in SMEs selling online, selling online
across border to other EU countries and, even after a slight decrease recently, e-Commerce
turnover. Lithuania’s performance is close to the EU average in corporate use of social media, cloud
services and big data.
In 2019, the government drew up the Lithuanian Industry Digitisation Roadmap for 2019-2030.
Work on this roadmap was helped by the efforts of thematic working groups on digital
manufacturing, digitisation services, human resources, cybersecurity, standardisation, and legal
regulation.
The national cybersecurity strategy was approved in August 2018. It aims to: (i) further strengthen
regional leadership in cyber defence capabilities (ii) ensure the prevention and investigation of
cybercrime (iii) promote a culture of cyber security and associated innovation, and (iv) increase
public-private and international collaboration.
The AI strategy was launched in March 2019. It gives an overview of emerging AI ecosystems in
research, industry, agriculture, health, transportation, energy, finance, and society more broadly.
The strategy plans the roll-out of AI in both the private and public sector. The strategy pays
particular attention to developing necessary skills, encouraging research and experimentation, the
ethics of AI, transparency, and security.
Lithuania is a member of the EuroHPC Joint Undertaking. It has also signed a number of declarations
promoting EU collaboration, such as: (i) the declaration establishing the European Blockchain
Partnership (ii) the Declaration of cooperation on Artificial Intelligence (and a related agreement on
ethical guidelines for AI) (iii) the Declaration of cooperation on advancing the digitisation of cultural
heritage (iv) a declaration of cooperation on the digitisation of agriculture and rural areas and (v) a
declaration on promoting greater participation of women in the digital sector.
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The governmental agency for science, innovation and technology MITA plays an active role in
technology integration. MITA coordinates and promotes multi-stakeholder collaboration in national,
European and international R&D programmes by bringing together researchers, businesses and civil
society organisations. MITA helps with access to finance, finding partners, including Horizon 2020,
giving training and organising events for the research and innovation community.
In 2019, the government, in collaboration with the research agency CERN, set up highly specialised
business-innovation incubators in Vilnius and Kaunas. These incubation sites bring together
universities, innovative medicine clinics, and business/industry stakeholders to help apply and scale-
up CERN research.
Lithuania also has four digital innovation hubs specialising in advanced manufacturing, laser
technology, robotics, photonics, e-business models and IT solutions. One of Lithuania’s greatest
start- up success is the online clothing marketplace Vinted – the first Lithuanian ‘unicorn’ (i.e., a
start-up valued at more than USD 1 billion). Other well-known start-ups include Trafi, Oberlo and
Deeper.
A fintech ecosystem is developing in Lithuania thanks to the Lithuanian central bank’s regulatory
sand- box. The Bank of Lithuania ranks among the world’s most progressive regulators. Guided by
the principle of being a partner for the financial sector, and not merely a watchdog, the Lithuanian
central bank has a proven record of ensuring an innovation-conducive regulatory environment.
One of the most helpful programmes for start-ups in Lithuania is the Newcomer programme. This
programme is specifically designed for new entrants to the financial sector who are considering
acquiring a banking license. The Newcomer programme allows investors to check whether the new
entrant’s plans are in line with legislative and regulatory requirements, and also gives help and
guidance to new entrants so they can improve their plans. Over the past 2 years, this opportunity
has been taken up by over 400 applicants from more than 60 countries.
Combining regulatory flexibility with the highest risk-mitigation standards makes Lithuania one of
the leading jurisdictions in the world in which to set up and scale-up fintech businesses.
The start-up accelerator Blockchain Centre Vilnius acts as a global hub for blockchain-related
services with an additional focus on community-building and education. Blockchain Centre Vilnius
collaborates with international venture capitalists, consultants and educators. It also organises
events and helps blockchain start-ups to reach their business goals. Lithuania actively participates in
EU digital initiatives. This has been thanks to well- thought-out ICT policies and initiatives by: the
digital community, technology integrators, researchers and start-ups. Their work has meant that
Lithuania’s score for integration of digital technology is well above the EU average.
Lithuania ranks 6th in the EU on digital public services. The e-government gateway Elektroniniai
valdžios vartai acts as the central portal for government and public-administrative services. This
portal has a partnership with commercial banks, which allows simple identification on the portal via
e-banking accounts. The e-services available on the portal include: completing administrative
procedures to start a business, looking for a job, finding employment documentation, paying taxes,
enrolling at a university or educational establishment, registering changes in civil status, finding real-
estate information, and many others. The portal supports e-signature through digital ID in line with
eIDAS and via mobile operators.
In 2019, Lithuania launched the GovTech Lab initiative, which promotes cooperation between
government and business. Through the GovTech Lab, any public sector institution can identify
challenges for the private sector, academia or individuals to solve. The GovTech Lab aims to solve
real- world problems that have a clear social impact by: (i) connecting start-ups and entrepreneurs
with investors, accelerators and potential clients, and (ii) spreading the culture of innovation and
innovation expertise in the public sector.
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E-Health services are accessible via a dedicated portal. This portal focuses strongly on being user-
friendly and simple for older people to use. The portal can be used to: make doctor’s appointments,
access medical documents and lab reports, access prescriptions, find information about vaccines,
and receive online training and heath tips. There is also a mobile self-help app integrated in the
portal. More advanced e-health services include Oxipit ChestEye, the AI-based chest x-ray radiology
tool. Lithuania is part of the European 1 Million Genomes initiative, which promotes collaboration
towards sequencing at least 1 million genomes in the EU by 2022. This initiative aims to improve
disease prevention, allow for more personalised treatments, and provide sufficient scale for new
socially beneficial research.
Lithuania has already achieved substantial results in the use of e-government and public digital
services. Going even further in this domain has strong support from business, society and
government.
 Luxembourg:
Luxembourg ranks 10th out of 28 EU Member States in the Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI)
2020. Significant progress is observed on digital public services, mainly thanks to digital public
services for business and pre-filled online forms of public services. Likewise, Luxembourg improves
its position on connectivity. By contrast, although it remains above the EU average, Luxembourg’s
ranking fell on the human capital dimension. On integration of digital technology, Luxembourg’s
ranking remains below the EU average.
Luxembourg continues to implement a range of strategies and initiatives to boost the digital skills of
its population and to attract and retain talent, to address the significant digital skills gap on the labor
market. Relevant examples are the inclusion of coding in the education curricula of cycle 4 of the
basic education programme, the Digital4Education strategy, and the Artificial Intelligence (AI)
strategy that includes measures to boost advanced digital skills.
The country continues to promote the uptake of strategic digital technologies by businesses. Several
strategies are being implemented such as the data-driven innovation strategy to develop a trusted
and sustainable economy and the AI strategy. Luxembourg is a founding member of the Euro High-
Performance Computing Joint Undertaking, and will acquire the supercomputer Meluxina. In
parallel, it has signed the Declaration of European Blockchain Partnership and the Declaration on
cooperation on Artificial Intelligence. In 2019, Luxembourg launched the first Digital Innovation Hub
to boost the digitisation of its industry, particularly among SMEs.
The country is almost fully covered by fast fixed broadband networks and has also a very good
coverage of very high-capacity networks. Luxembourg continues to be well on track to meeting the
EU broadband targets. Its own revised and more ambitious targets of 1 Gbps downstream and 500
Mbps upstream for every household by 2020 would seem unrealistic and are being reconsidered by
the Ministry. 5G is expected to play a significant role for households not connected to the fibre
network.
Luxembourg’s authorities will need to make timely preparations to assign additional spectrum which
can be used for 5G services to meet the EU target for 5G. Framing a strategy to streamline permit
procedures and to facilitate access to public property to extend and densify mobile networks would
further stimulate and accelerate the roll-out of both fixed and mobile infrastructure.
In the human capital dimension, Luxembourg ranks 8th. In 2019, the Ministry of Education
announced plans to systematically teach coding and computational thinking throughout primary and
secondary education programmes in public schools. The 2020-2021 school year will incorporate
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coding in mathematics classes throughout cycle 4 of the basic education programme. In parallel,
Luxembourg continued to implement its digital education strategy, Digital4Education, with several
initiatives such as BEE SECURE designed to raise awareness of the security aspects of using digital
technologies and the Digital Classroom to train school pupils in the use of digital technologies.
The country also plans to boost advanced digital skills in areas such as AI. The main objective of the
national AI strategy is to boost AI-related skills and competences and to provide opportunities for
lifelong learning. However, the strategy does not provide details on the budget or an
implementation plan.
In 2019, Luxembourg relaunched the Digital Skills and Jobs Coalition with the aim of improving
digital skills by unveiling a new governance structure, a revised action plan and a clear focus. At the
time of writing, it had about 50 active members from both the public and private sectors and the
Women in Digital Initiatives Luxembourg (WIDE) became the Coalition’s new coordinating partner.
One of the main objectives of the Coalition is to address the skills mismatch in the labor market, for
example by facilitating traineeships for young people. In the same vein, the government is assessing
the recent pilot programme “Luxembourg Digital Skills Bridge” to develop a national strategy and a
support mechanism to coach and upskill employees. In addition, Luxembourg plans to launch a new
national strategy on attracting talent that will be co-designed by the Ministry of Economy, the
Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Employment.
The country participated in the EU Code Week 2019, a grassroots movement run by volunteers to
encourage people of all ages to discover coding and digital creativity. Compared to the 2018 edition,
it organised fewer activities (from 16 to 10), all of which were organised in schools. The number of
participants was around 350, with 56% of female participation on average.
Luxembourg scores well on the use of internet services dimension, although it fell down the ranking
compared with its result in previous years. On the integration of digital technology by businesses,
the country ranks 19th and continues to perform below the EU average. Consistent with the
country’s ambition to make the transition to a data-driven economy, Luxembourg has made major
progress in terms of the uptake of digital innovation.
The government has taken key measures to promote the development and uptake of strategic
digital technologies, such as supercomputing, AI, blockchain and big data. In line with the country’s
ambitious digital transformation agenda, Luxembourg has developed several national strategies,
including its smart specialisation strategy, a data-driven innovation strategy for the development of
a trusted and sustainable economy, and its AI strategy. To create a sustainable digital innovation
ecosystem, Luxembourg aims to build on its digital infrastructure, develop core competences
through education and research, and gain experience in using these technologies.
Luxembourg is committed to fully engaging at European level on digital technology. The country is a
member of the Euro High Performance Computing (Euro HPC) Joint Undertaking. It has signed the
Declaration of European Blockchain Partnership and the Declaration on cooperation on Artificial
Intelligence. In June 2019, EuroHPC selected Luxembourg as one of the eight sites to host
supercomputers.
In addition, a center of competence is being developed in Luxembourg as part of a European

network of centers of competences. “Luxinnovation”, jointly run by the Ministry of Economy, the
University of Luxembourg and LuxProvide is a European consortium to extend the range of HPC and
big data-related competences and to facilitate industrial research and innovation applications.
Building communities of knowledge on data production, algorithms and AI is instrumental to
economic diversification in Luxembourg.
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Furthermore, Luxembourg has taken action to promote the digitisation of SMEs. It has set up several
initiatives, including the fourth national action plan to support SMEs and the ‘Fit4Digital’
programme, a programme managed by Luxinnovation to boost the use of digital solutions in SMEs.
In September 2019, the Luxembourg Digital Innovation Hub (L-DIH), a platform of industry and
solution providers, was set up to boost the digitisation of industry, especially SMEs. The fifth
national action plan to support SMEs, which includes financial support measures, is under
stakeholder consultation with approval expected in the first half of 2020.
Luxembourg is advancing in the deployment of new technologies and related infrastructure. It is
crucial for SMEs to update these technologies to ensure a level-playing field approach in the
adoption of new technologies to benefit all parts of the economy.
Luxembourg adopted a law on transparent and open administration, in September 2018. The
purpose of the new law is to provide the framework for implementing a policy on access to citizens’
administrative documents held by government departments, municipalities, local authorities and
public institutions, placed under the supervision either of the State or of the municipalities. The new
Ministry of Digitisation’s central coordination role has the potential to lead to major improvements
on digital public administration. Continued work to create further digital public services is
fundamental to complete the process of modernising the public administration.
 Malta:
Malta ranks 5th out of the 28 EU Member States in the Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI)
2020. The country performs above the EU average in all the five dimensions of the index. Malta
performs well on broadband connectivity. The country records good scores on human capital,
especially because of the high share of ICT specialists and ICT graduates, while also the involvement
of women in the digital sector is gradually increasing. More and more people in Malta use the
internet (with a percentage of internet users now in line with the EU average) and engage in a
number of activities. Maltese businesses rank first on the use of big data, and the overall level of
business digitisation is relatively high. The country’s performance in digital public services continues
to be negatively affected by the low use of e-government services by the general public. Low
progress on open data policies is another reason for Malta falling behind other EU Member States.
Malta performs better than the EU average in all coverage indicators with 100% of households
covered with NGA and VHC networks. On international connectivity, in 2019 one of the main
operators announced a multi-million euros investment in a new submarine cable system. Once
completed, the new system will connect Malta to Marseille and Egypt, thus providing international
connectivity from the West coast of the island towards landing points in Europe and Africa that
diversify from the existing ones in Italy. Malta has therefore put on hold considerations regarding
potential state aid via an incentive programme to support investment in submarine cables pending
an analysis of recent market developments.
The upgrade of the National Broadband plan, which was supposed to factor in envisaged
developments on 5G deployment and the gigabit society, expected at the beginning of 2019, was
put on hold pending a wider review of the National Digital Strategy (2014-2020). Malta therefore
currently mainly relies on private investments. Notwithstanding, the market has not yet expressed
any interest in the 5G pioneer bands. Malta scores 0% on the 5G readiness indicator which is based
on the percentage of spectrum assigned in the 5G pioneer bands.
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Malta performs extremely well on broadband connectivity. It ranks first in all DESI fixed broadband
coverage indicators and has thus achieved the EU broadband coverage objectives. It is important
that the country now focuses on paving the way for the 5G deployment.
In March 2019, Malta launched a comprehensive “National eSkills Strategy” (2019-2021), led by the
eSkills Malta Foundation. The strategy covers many areas, including: (i) basic digital literacy (ii)
quality of ICT teaching (iii) advanced skills and (iv) re-skilling and upskilling of the workforce. To steer
its implementation and facilitate stakeholder engagement, an “eSkills Strategic Consultative
Committee” was set up in 2019. This Committee brings together representatives of the education
and training systems, industry (SMEs), citizens and ICT professionals.
The strategy is progressing, building on a number of digital skills initiatives launched in previous
years. In 2019, initiatives have included: (i) upskilling of teachers (ii) investing in ICT infrastructure
(e.g., the “One Tablet per Child” scheme in primary schools) and (iii) re-designing educational
curricula to include the concepts of coding, robotics, animation and editing (by introducing ICT C3 as
a compulsory subject instead of ECDL).
In tertiary education, in line with the country’s overall digitisation strategy, a master’s programme
on Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) was introduced in 2019, run by the newly established
Centre for Distributed Ledger at the University of Malta.
The country has introduced measures to strengthen collaboration between education and industry.
For example: (i) ICT teachers can work for 5 days in the ICT industry, (ii) people working in industry
are invited to give talks in schools and (iii) secondary schools students can visit companies to learn
about the skills and competences required by the ICT industry (“Career Guidance Initiatives”) or
have a one-week placement in a digital company (“Career Exposure Scheme”). In addition, tertiary
level ICT students can participate in the summer Student Placement Programme run by the Malta
Information Technology Agency (MITA). In 2019, 382 students took part in this programme.
Malta has also launched initiatives to address skill mismatches. Ongoing projects include a training
needs analysis, as basis to design paths for the upskilling and re-skilling of the workforce, and a
‘Demand and Supply Monitor’. This Monitor is expected to become a regularly updated portal that
maps competences and skills requested by the ICT industry and matches them with the available
education in the country. Furthermore, the eSkills Malta Foundation kept the momentum about the
e-Competence Framework and has provided training to industry and education on the use of this
European standard.
The Foundation has started discussing the launch of citizen-centric initiatives for digital literacy with
national stakeholders, and has set up a register to map digital skills projects, track their progress and
- if appropriate - scale them up.
The eSkills Malta Foundation is a National Coalition for Digital Skills, its founding members coming
from government, education and industry, and participates very actively in EU Code Week. In 2019,
Malta ranked first on the number of events per capita. Over 20.000 people participated in 537
events. 97% of the events involved activities in schools. In 2019, the eSkills Malta Foundation also
organised summer boot camps to raise awareness of coding among children, youth and adults.
Malta has carried out many digital skills initiatives, with a comprehensive coverage. With the
collaboration of all players involved, it is important that these efforts are continued, with a focus on
addressing skills mismatches and on monitoring and evaluating projects and policies implemented.
The country performs above the EU average in the Use of digital technologies by enterprises, and
ranks 7th. Maltese businesses are very strong in the use of big data analysis (24%, the highest rate in
the EU). Malta’s positive performance is also confirmed by the Digital Intensity Index, according to
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which 41% of enterprises in Malta have high and very high levels of digitisation - well above the EU
average of 26%.
In recent years, the Maltese government has promoted measures to boost digital technologies as a
key to shaping the country’s competitiveness. An important initiative was the blockchain/DLT
strategy and regulatory framework, adopted in 2018, to attract operators while promoting
dependable technology. In the same year, to implement the legislation, the government established
the Malta Digital Innovation Authority (MDIA) and a framework for the certification of DLT platforms
and related service providers. MDIA established guidelines for Innovative Technology Arrangements
that are based on DLT and accredited the first Systems Auditors, discussions with operators that
plan to apply for certification are under way.
In October 2019, the government adopted a national strategy on Artificial Intelligence, based on
three strategic pillars: (i) investment, (ii) startups and innovation and (iii) public sector and private
sector adoption. To support the strategy, the country is planning to set up a Digital Innovation Hub
(DIH), as a multi-stakeholder innovation centre to help both the public and private organisations
through advisory services, applied research and demo spaces.
On cybersecurity, the Maltese government organised the National Cyber Security Summit in October
2019, where it launched the B SECURE scheme - an initiative to strengthen the cybersecurity culture
within the local business community. The scheme helps businesses assess their vulnerability against
cybersecurity threats and train employees on cybersecurity (with the possibility of earning
recognised qualifications).
The programmes run by MITA to support businesses’ digital transformation have continued. In 2019,
the MITA Innovation Hub accelerated eleven innovative startups as part of its YouStartIT
programme, which covers technologies such as blockchain, deep tech, Internet of Things, AI and
augmented reality. The MITA Emerging Technologies Lab has provided learning activities and
equipment to experiment with different technologies. Since the lab was established in October
2018, over 50 different activities have been organised, with over 700 people attending seminars,
workshops, hands-on sessions and courses.
It is important that Malta continues its initiatives to boost the digital transformation of the
economy, and that it focuses on the digitisation of SMEs and the widespread adoption of digital
technologies, including mature ones.
The country is an EU leader in providing government services to the public. It ranks first in the re-use
of information across administrations to make life easier for people as well as in the sophistication
of services (online service completion), with the maximum score for both of these indicators. The
country also scores above the EU average on online public services for businesses. However, Malta’s
performance is low on use of e-government services and on open data. The percentage of e-
government users is 57% (EU average: 67%) and Malta is among the worst performing EU countries
on open data.
In June 2019, Malta launched “Mapping Tomorrow”, the new strategic plan for the digital
transformation of public administration (2019–2021), which focuses on delivering improved,
simplified and client-centered e-government services. The plan’s three pillars of action are: (i) Take-
up, by simplifying services, (ii) Once-only, targeting the sharing and re-use of information already
acquired by the government and (iii) Service of Excellence, looking at the development of
personalised, user-friendly and timely services, including through the use of emerging technologies
(e.g., AI).
Moreover, “Servizz.gov” Agency became the government’s one-stop-shop for the general public,
and www.servizz.gov.mt is now the central website for public administration services. Through this
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website, citizens can look up services categorised under 12 ‘super sectors’ -not linked to a specific
Ministry and, thus, possibly subject to change-. The website also gives citizens the possibility to
report complaints and excessive bureaucracy, offer suggestions and request information. All cases
are processed against service level agreements.
The government has also continued to enhance the offer of mobile e-government services, provided
since 2017, including the ‘maltapps’ app that enables users to enlist all published mobile services.
Initiatives to improve the take up of mobile public services have also been supported by a project
co- funded by the European Social Fund (2014-2020), which involves training for public employees,
awareness campaigns and a citizens’ survey.
The country has continued to implement the Connected e-Government (CONvErGE) programme,
which is helping to create a number of digital services and to modernise the ICT infrastructure. As
part of this programme, MITA is developing a hybrid cloud platform, which combines both public
and private cloud solutions, and hosts several of the government’s information systems and
services. The platform will continue to be expanded, in order to offer better services and security for
the government’s core applications.
In 2019, another project launched is the development of a Business Process Re-Engineering (BPR)
plan, through the Structural Reform Support Programme. The project involves a redesign and
modernisation of core business processes in the public administration, and helps public employees
implement them. The aim is to improve productivity, efficiency, effectiveness and better customer
service through digitisation.
The country is using blockchain technology in some fields (education, finance and health) and
encouraging Ministries to uptake this technology, in line with the legislation introduced in 2018. In
2019, MITA organised a number of workshops with government stakeholders to identify areas
where blockchain could be used. In line with the national AI strategy, the government is also
exploring how to use AI to improve public services. Pilot projects to deploy AI solutions will be
carried out in the coming years in traffic management, education, health, customer service, tourism,
and utilities.
Finally, the National Data Portal, expected to enable access to government data in the fields of
education, police and taxation, has been launched. Overall, Malta performs well on the provision of
e-government services, but increasing the public’s uptake and accelerating on open data policies
remain two priorities.
 Poland:
Poland ranks 23rd out of 28 EU Member States in the Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI)
2020. The country continues to have the highest mobile broadband take-up in the EU and very
competitive prices. High scores in fixed very high-capacity network and 4G coverage improved its
overall score in connectivity. The score in digital public services domain improved. Poland improved
its performance in using pre-filled forms, online service completion, and is an above-EU-average
user of open data.
In order to address the difficulties with broadband roll-out, a number of amendments to the so-
called “Megaustawa” (‘Mega-law’) were adopted in 2019. These amendments include provisions
creating a new Broadband Fund (budget of approximately €33 million) to provide parallel or
complementary support, from 2021, for actions financed under the country’s operational
programme Digital Poland (POPC). Other amendments to the Megaustawa address the bottlenecks
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that have been preventing application of the Broadband Cost Reduction Directive (BB CRD). Those
amendments include: better mapping of the existing infrastructure (including fibre and other cable
networks, data will have to be provided twice a year starting in 2022), facilitation of permits
(significantly lower fees applicable to all local authorities) and amended rules for access to buildings.
The country has also finally adopted an updated national broadband plan (March 2020), which
reflects the gigabit society goals and includes actions regarding 5G implementation, foreseen in the
‘5G Strategy for Poland’. In addition, despite its efforts, Poland is still far from achieving goal 2 of the
Digital Agenda for Europe (connectivity of 30 Mbps or more for all citizens by 2020). The main
difficulties are still related to the geographical conditions that raise the cost of network deployment.
Poland scores 0% in the 5G readiness indicator. In 2019, the mutual technical coordination
concerning spectrum utilisation in the 470 – 694 MHz band, i.e., DTT frequency allotments, was
confirmed by the Russian Federation (the formal agreement between both administrations is still
pending). This makes it possible to rearrange nationwide DVB-T networks in Poland to free spectrum
in the 700 MHz band by mid-2022 for IMT purposes, as envisaged in the derogation notification to
the European Commission sent in 2018.
Overall, Poland adopted a number of regulatory measures in 2019 to facilitate broadband roll-out
and to prepare for spectrum assignment in view of deploying 5G networks. Nevertheless, 5G
deployment may be delayed in non-urban areas, mainly due to postponed assignment of spectrum
in the 700 MHz band and the overall uncertain future of its use. Poland continues to face difficulties
in achieving the 2020 EU objectives despite the efforts it has made. The Polish market would benefit
from more regulatory certainty, especially for 5G planning, ensuring timely market reviews and
resolving long- standing issues related to a number of regulatory decisions.
In Human capital, digital skills are covered under the third priority, “Digital competences of society”
of the Operational Programme Digital Poland for 2014-2020, co-funded by the European Regional
Development Fund. Poland finalised preparation of a new Digital Competence Development
Programme (Program Rozwoju Kompetencji Cyfrowych), which targets development of digital skills,
coordinated centrally by the Ministry of Digital Affairs. It will focus on digital skills needed by
citizens, ICT specialists and for employees of SMEs and public administration. It is expected to be
adopted in 2020. Additionally, the follow-up of the Operational Programme Digital Poland for 2021-
2027 is being prepared. It will include support for broadband, e-services (e-government and e-
health), digital skills, upskilling and re-skilling and skills needed for the future.
In 2019, the ministry initiated the IT Talent Development Programme for 2019-2029 (Program
Rozwoju Talentó w Informatycznych). The goal is to manage IT talents and reduce the labor gap in the
IT sector. The programme consists of two paths:
(i) championships in algorithmic and programming and
(ii) championships in designing computer games.
During the programme, 10.000 pupils and 1.500 teachers will receive dedicated support (training,
workshops and webinars). Regarding changes to curricula, a new study path was added for the
school year 2019/2020 - the ‘technician/programmer’ path. It allows new skills to be acquired, up-
skilling, or reskilling to another existing study path called the ‘technician/IT’ path.
The Digital Skills and Job Coalition continues to bring together companies, social partners, non-profit
organisations and education providers, who take action to improve the digital skills in Poland. One
of the partners, the Orange Foundation is leading a project “Lesson: Enter” (Lekcja: Enter). It is the
biggest, nationwide digital education project in Poland addressed to school teachers and schools. Its
main goal is to prepare and encourage teachers to use available dedicated digital content and tools
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more often in their everyday work. It aims to train 75.000 teachers (approximately 15% of all
teachers in Poland) within 4 years period (2019-2023).
The Ministry of Digital Affairs alongside with NASK launched several promotional and informational
campaigns in 2019. The campaigns ranged from promoting security online increasing usage of e-
governmental services (e-Polak potrafi), encouraging adults to use computers and the internet, to
finish up with campaigns targeting parents to inspire their kids to learn programming and participate
in EU Code Week.
To derive maximum benefit from the digital economy and support long-term productivity, Poland
needs to continue raising the levels of digital skills among all groups with a focus on improving
female participation in the digital field.
The country is committed to progressing and investing in digital technologies. In 2019, it launched
several major initiatives including the Foundation Future Industry Platform (Fundacja Platforma
Przemysłu Przyszłości). The platform’s goal is to increase the competitiveness of entrepreneurs by
supporting their digital transformation. The platform will be coordinating, standardising and
supporting activities implemented by Polish Digital Innovation Hubs (DIH). The competition
“Standardization of Digital Innovation Hubs services to support the digital transformation of
enterprises”, announced under the Industry 4.0 programme of the Minister of Development 2019-
2021, will help in building the capacity and selection of the future DIH.
Poland keenly invests in digital technologies through EU-coordinated programmes. The country is
member of the EuroHPC Joint Undertaking. It participates in PRACE (Partnership for Advanced
Computing in Europe) and the PIONIER-LAB - National Platform for Integration of Research
Infrastructures. It is an active member of the European Blockchain Partnership Policy Group.
Poland launched extensive work on the Artificial Intelligence Development Policy for 2019-2027. Its
goal is to enter a narrow group of 20-25% of countries building Artificial Intelligence (AI) and
increase investments, coordinate research funding and monitor the impact of AI on the labor
market.
The policy will also be a part of the Polish Strategy of Productivity as well as of the Strategy of the
Efficient State 2030. The new Cybersecurity Strategy of the Republic of Poland for 2019-2024
(replacing the previous strategy for 2017-2022) aims to increase the country's resilience to cyber-
attacks and improve data protection. Development of the National Cyber-security System,
expanding its cyber- threat information exchange and enhancing coordination are key elements of
the new strategy.
The Industrial Development Agency (Polski Fundusz Rozwoju) supports the start-up ecosystem
through various projects. The flagship programme, “Start in Poland”, creates favorable conditions
for start-ups at every stage of their development. It is the largest programme for start-ups in Central
and Eastern Europe, with an estimated future creation of 1.500 innovative start-ups within 7 years.
Meanwhile, the Open Innovation Network supports the purchase of licenses and technology for
enterprises. The Poland Prize programme is the first Polish programme focusing on foreign start-
ups. The Polish Development Fund, a ‘fund of funds’, offers financing to innovative start-ups through
venture capital funds or business angels. SMES and scientific units are also allowed to apply for
‘Innovation Vouchers for SMEs’ (Bon na innovacje).
Beefing up support for new digital and innovative business models and further encouragement to
digitise would help to increase productivity, enable SMEs to achieve more efficiency and boost their
competitiveness.
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On Digital public services, Poland ranks 20th, well below the EU average. It shows good open data
maturity, scoring significantly above the EU average. Conversely, there is still a low level of online
interaction between public authorities and the public, despite the increasing number of Polish
online users. In 2019, Poland performed better as regards pre-filled forms, getting closer to the EU
average.
The Strategy for Responsible Development and the Integrated State Digitisation Programme (PZIP)
lays down the basis for the digitisation of public administrations. After recent reviews, the PZIP will
focus more on modernisation and on improving the quality of the administration's relations with the
public.
Following the migration of governmental websites to one portal gov.pl, all websites of ministries,
four voivodships and 12 thematic websites were migrated. Additionally, the ‘My gov’ functionality, a
newly-added intuitive user panel, allows access to e-services and data contained in public registers.
The user dashboard includes “My inbox” for exchanging messages between the public
administration and the public. There is also ‘My electricity’ for submitting co-financing applications
for photovoltaic micro-installations. Setting up a business is also becoming easier and faster. The
biznes.gov.pl website is in the process of combining functionality with CEIDG, which will enable
further simplifications.
The Polish Council of Ministers adopted the ‘Common IT Infrastructure of the State’ Initiative. It will
focus on the development, maintenance and management of the government cloud and facilitate
purchases of public cloud computing services.
The ‘Trusted Profile’ (Profil Zaufany), which can confirm user identity on the internet and submit a
trusted signature, reached 4.5 million users in 2019. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs launched its e-
Election registration system service (e-Wybory). Voters receiving a voting card for elections to the
European Parliament, as well as to the Sejm and Senate of the Republic of Poland, could
authenticate their identity using the mCitizen (mObywatel) mobile application.
In 2019, the Ministry of Digital Affairs started implementation of the project Open Data Plus
(Otwarte Dane Plus). It aims to increase the quantity and quality of open public data and further
data reuse. The Ministry also continues its cooperation with the National Centre for Research and
Development (NCBR) on the CyberSecIdent Programme – Cybersecurity and E-Identity. The goal of
CyberSecIdent is to raise the level of security of Polish cyberspace by increasing the availability of
hardware and programming tools by 2023.
Poland has signed the Declaration on Quantum Communication Infrastructure facilitating Quantum
Key Distribution (QKD). QKD aims to secure European infrastructure, a backbone of Europe’s
Quantum Internet.
Poland finalised work on a new ID card, enabling electronic identification with a high level of
security. All ID cards issued from March 2019 contain a special electronic layer in the form of a chip.
Users can identify themselves online and sign electronic documents . Moreover, e-delivery services
and the Electronic Address Database (Baza Adresó w Elektronicznych - BAE) are also underway. All
users will be able to search in BAE for the electronic delivery address of public bodies and
entrepreneurs. Public bodies will be able to additionally search for the addresses of citizens.
The Ministry of Health continues to pursue digital projects to further transform healthcare in
Poland. It has successfully implemented national e-prescription (mandatory from January 2020),
piloted e- referral (mandatory from January 2021), launched the Patient’s Internet Account (IKP) and
developed a free IT application gabinet.gov.pl, allowing physicians to issue e-prescriptions and e-
referrals.
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Easier access, more user-friendly e-services for the public and businesses could lead the way to
more improvements in digital public administration. Additional measures enabling everyone to use
e-health services, regardless of geographical location, could boost their take-up.
 Portugal:
Portugal ranks 19th out of the 28 EU Member States in the Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI)
2020. Country’s progress is observed in the human capital dimension, thanks to an improvement in
the basic level of digital skills and a greater proportion of ICT graduates. This is particularly
significant for Portugal, given its population’s current low level of digital literacy. However, the
country continues to perform weakly by European standards in human capital and use of internet
services.
In connectivity, Portugal has an above-average overall level. This is mainly due to above-average
results in the deployment of very-high-capacity networks as well as the take-up of broadband
connections of at least 100 Mbps. In digital public services, Portugal continues to perform well and is
one of the best EU performers in this area.
Portugal performs well on the deployment of very-high capacity networks and on the take-up of
broadband connections of at least 100 Mbps. An additional effort is still required to ensure that very
high-capacity networks coverage and mobile broadband take-up reaches all households, including
those in rural areas.
In 2019, Portugal continued its efforts to improve the digital skills of the population with the
implementation of the national initiative on digital competencies INCoDe.2030, which also acts as
National Coalition for Digital Skills and Jobs. As regards inclusion, the Creative Communities for
Digital Inclusion initiative has been extended to other areas, such as prisons, to develop the digital
competencies of vulnerable groups. Upscaling will be fundamental to the effectiveness of all
initiatives at the pilot stage, and in this case, the Portuguese government is preparing the
corresponding financing mechanism. As regards education, Portugal launched the Digital
Competence Reference Framework - a new instrument to allow the Portuguese population to assess
their digital competencies and their development needs. To promote ICT qualifications, Portugal
successfully implemented ICT training programmes for unemployed graduates with a budget of €3,5
million.
Additionally, different companies promoted similar training programmes in ICT areas where they
have a direct need or interest (755 graduates participated). In parallel, other public-private
collaborations helped to improve the population’s digital literacy. The #EUSOUDIGITAL initiative,
developed jointly by the Portuguese Government, .PT and the Movement for the Active Digital Use
(MUDA), promoted digital awareness and inclusion through national roadshows covering 20
locations.
In addition, through MUDA, which is mainly privately funded, several initiatives are being
implemented in schools, villages and neighborhoods to promote digital inclusion in hard-to-reach
groups of the population, like the elderly or people living in rural areas. MUDA also collaborates with
the Portuguese Administrative Modernisation Agency, the Tax Authority, universities and private
entities to raise awareness of digital topics through one minute videos broadcast on national
television: MUDA num minuto. So far, the 200 programmes produced have reached 250.000 viewers
daily. The further development of this type of partnerships can leverage the work carried out by
private organisations and contribute to the INCoDe.2030 objectives.
Also, in 2019, Portugal once again participated in the EU Code Week, a grassroots movement run by
volunteers to encourage people of all ages to discover coding and digital creativity. Compared to
2018, the number of activities organised increased very significantly from 140 to 742 and were
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organised mainly in schools. Accordingly, the number of participants increased to more than 85.000,
of which 51% on average were women.
Portugal ranks 16th in the EU, as regards the integration of digital technologies in businesses.
Generally, Portuguese SMEs are less active in digitisation than their larger counterparts. This is
particularly significant because the Portuguese economy is mostly dominated by micro enterprises
concentrated in traditional sectors. One of the main obstacles to the digitisation of SMEs is the
digital knowledge gap, which is caused by low levels of digital literacy among owners, managers and
employees. Portugal is actively implementing measures to promote the digitisation of businesses.
In 2019, it launched the second phase of the Indústria 4.0 national strategy for the digitisation of the
economy with total funding of €600 million over the following 2 years. The authorities estimate that
it will generate additional exports worth around €1,2 million. This phase has three main objective
lines: i) Capacitar i4.0 to reskill, upskill and train more than 200.000 workers ii) Generalizar i4.0 to
promote digital transition in more than 20.000 companies and iii) Assimilar i4.0 to scale up more
than 350 projects.
In addition, Portugal supported the launch of the programme ComércioDigital.pt with the objective
to promote the presence of SMEs in e-commerce and digital services by offering 50.000 vouchers
“3-in-1” and to improve digital literacy by providing free access to training.
In parallel, Portugal plans to expand the network of digital innovation hubs (DIH) as an instrument
for scaling up the digitisation of companies, particularly of SMEs. Each DIH technical focus must be
clearly defined so that the expected results and those of the regional smart specialisation strategies
can be achieved.
In the context of the research action line of INCoDe.2030, Portugal launched the Artificial
Intelligence Portugal 2030 strategy, which aims to put Portugal at the forefront of ‘AI Education for
all’, and the Advanced Computing Portugal 2030 strategy, which aims to expand cyberinfrastructure
and to improve advanced computing skills, among other things. In July 2019, Portugal’s inauguration
of the supercomputer BOB marked the start of national participation in the European High-
Performance Computing initiative (EuroHPC JU). Portugal also signed a Declaration of Cooperation
with other EU Member States to explore how to develop and deploy a Quantum Communication
Infrastructure across the EU within the next 10 years. In addition, the Portuguese Cybersecurity
Working Group presented a final report to raise awareness on this technology, identifying
opportunities and challenges for businesses and consumers.
Portugal is concentrating its efforts on promoting the digitisation of SMEs. The implementation of
the initiatives launched in 2019, and the leveraging of synergies among them, can help improve
coordination of the action lines.
Portugal’s performance in online interaction between internet users and public authorities and in
the digital public services for business also remains stable.
In 2019, the country continued to implement relevant measures to modernise public services by
using digital technologies. The Portuguese strategy for the digital transformation of the public
administration, Estratégia TIC 2020, promoted the use of ICT for more effective and efficient
administrative simplification and the improvement of public services. In addition, a revamped
edition of the flagship programme on administrative simplification SIMPLEX was presented in 2019.
iSIMPLEX focuses on pillars such as “digital-by-default”, “once-only-principle” or “emergent
technologies”. An assessment of 40 measures implemented by SIMPLEX during 2016 and 2017,
concluded that the total impact of the measures was above €170 million annually, with annual
savings of 15 million hours.
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During 2019, Portugal launched the web portal ePortugal that merged the Citizen Portal and the
Entrepreneur’s Desk in a central repository for all public services dedicated to citizens and
businesses. The portal offers several customisation options, a reserved area for the citizen, and
innovative support mechanisms such as the chat-bot SIGMA or the possibility to geo-locate all
Portuguese public services in a Citizen Map, which allows to see waiting times and get virtual queue
tickets. In the same vein, Portugal launched the Mobile Medical Electronic Prescription (PEM
Mobile) that allows the creation of medical prescriptions enabling doctors to digitally prescribe
medicines through a smartphone. In addition, the new mobile application Social Security + provides
an easier and simpler way for citizens and companies to access social security services.
The Usability and Accessibility Badge initiative, launched in 2019, identifies and promotes the
application of best practices in websites and mobile applications. It is developed by the
Administrative Modernisation Agency and the National Institute for Rehabilitation, with the
objective to simplify and make more efficient the use of online public services by citizens. The Data
Science and Artificial Intelligence in Public Administration programme continued its implementation
in 2019. This programme has a global budget of €20 million allocated to two financing instruments
for science and administrative modernisation, one defined under the INCoDe.2030 research action
line and the other under the Support System for the Digital Transformation of the Public
Administration (SAMA 2020). So far, both instruments have financed 32 and 44 projects respectively
and more calls will be launched in 2020.
Portugal signed the Digital 9 Nations Charter, which marked its integration into the network of
advanced digital nations. Portugal continues to adopt relevant measures to digitise public services,
and is one of the leaders in the EU in this regard. The parallel efforts made to improve basic digital
skills will allow an increasing share of the population to benefit from those services. The promotion
of initiatives that address digital skills and digital public services together can help to improve both
of these dimensions.
 Romania:
Romania ranks 26th out of 28 EU Member States in the 2020 Digital Economy and Society Index
(DESI). The country performs best on connectivity dimension, thanks to the high take-up of ultrafast
broadband and the wide availability of fixed very high-capacity networks, especially in urban areas.
49% of Romanian homes subscribe to ultrafast (at least 100 Mbps) broadband, the fifth highest
figure in the EU. However, digitisation of the economy lags behind, almost one fifth of Romanians
have never used the internet, and less than a third have at least basic digital skills. Romania is well
positioned as regards ICT graduates, but on digital public services and on use of internet services,
Romania has the lowest performance among the EU Member States.
The Romanian national broadband plan adopted in 2015 has not yet been updated to reflect the
gigabit society targets. To address the urban-rural digital divide, Romania has accessed EU funding
under the 2014-2020 financial framework. A new grant scheme for next-generation networks (NGN)
deployment, with a total contracted budget of €59 million, provides support to private operators
deploying backhaul and last-mile access infrastructure for additional localities in white areas. The
project aims to cover 160.000 households in the “white areas”.
Romania ranks 27th out of 28 EU countries on Human capital. The Ministry of Education and
Research implemented the 2014-2020 national strategy for strengthening public administration. In
addition, the Ministry is implementing an administrative simplification project for the national
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education system, with a budget of approx. €6 million from SIPOCA (Structural Instruments under
the Administrative Capacity Operational Programme).
The “Wi-Fi Campus” project, a national wireless internet platform already in the implementation
phase, will provide wireless internet access service for schools -based on wi-fi-, with priority on
secondary schools. The project’s specific objectives are: (i) creating the technical infrastructure
necessary for the use of OER and WEB 2.0 type resources and services in education in a minimum
2.000 schools, (ii) equipping 4.500 middle schools with wireless equipment, reaching 1 million
students and teachers and (iii) increasing by 15% the share of teachers who use the internet via
wireless campus.
In September 2019, the Ministry of Communications and the Information Society, together with the
Ministry of European Funds and the Ministry of Education, announced the signing of contracts for
two major digitalisation projects in the field of education: “The school management information
system (SIMS - Electronic Catalogue)” and “Digital platform with open educational resources
(EDULIB - Virtual Library)”.
The first project, the School Management Information System (SIMS), aims to achieve, in an online
environment, the management of schooling based on the flows set out in the eGOV project (online
enrolment in high school, implementation of the electronic class registers and online evaluation of
the papers written in national exams). The project will run for 3 years.
The EDULIB – Virtual Library open educational resources digital platform projects aims to create a
digital platform with open educational resources, mainly for high schools, facilitating free access to
electronic textbooks and other electronic educational resources. The project also involves supplying
5,400 secondary schools with a multimedia kit. The project will run for 2 years. SIMS and EDULIB
form a platform of resources and management for the education, teaching, learning and evaluation
system. The SIMS, EDULIB and Wi-Fi Campus projects are concrete actions in support of education in
transition to a digital age.
Romania has a National Coalition for Digital Skills and Jobs, known as Skills4IT. This open platform
includes several stakeholders, ICT companies, associations, training providers and NGOs involved in
the digital transformation and has political backup from the Ministry of Transport, Infrastructure
and Communication and the Education Ministry. Activities focus on rolling out coding and IT classes
in schools, organising cybersecurity courses and educational events. The coalition also provides
training to upgrade the digital skills of the labor force. The coalition’s activities are in line with the
National Strategy for Digital Romania 2020, having as objective the development of digital skills.
Although there are several projects led by the government that envisage improving digital skills
levels around the country, the results to date remain limited. As digital infrastructure and digital
skills are key to unlocking the benefits of digitalisation, coordinated and targeted efforts are
necessary to improve digital competences not only in schools, but also in the labor force and among
elderly people.
The Use of internet services in the country continues to be the lowest among the EU Member
States, which is in correlation with the low level of basic digital skills around the country. Romania
ranks 27th among EU countries on the Integration of digital technology by businesses.
Country doesn’t have a national digital transformation strategy for enterprises. Romania supports
the ecosystem of start-ups through the Start-up Nation programme, including start-ups that
produce innovations or integrate them into new product and service developments.
In Romania, there are currently three hubs for digital innovation (HDIs), one in Bucharest and two in
Cluj-Napoca.
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Romania is a member of the EuroHPC Joint Undertaking. The Minister of Communications and
Information Society expressed Romania’s interest in participating in the Consortium for the
Barcelona Supercomputing Center as host site for the pre-Exascale supercomputers. The main target
for the moment is the implementation of HPC Competence Centers. However, the country has not
yet provided any formal financial commitment to EuroHPC as regards budget or timing.
On blockchain, the National Institute for Research and Development in Informatics (ICI Bucharest)
has taken an active role since 2017 in the emerging technologies of Industry 4.0. Blockchain is a vital
part of this technology. In this context, the Institute created the European Center for Excellence in
Blockchain – ECEB, as a hub for sharing experience between experts, academics, students and
business people in Romania. As an R&D institute, ICI Bucharest has developed substantial ‘in vitro’
pilot projects for system-of-systems architectures based on blockchain technology. ICI Bucharest is
self-financing activities on blockchain, within the limits of its institutional budget.
ICI Bucharest’s blockchain initiative has a number of expected outcomes: (i) the continuous signing
of partnerships with entities in this field of activity (ii) the implementation of solutions from the pilot
studies in collaboration with the Romanian Government (iii) national and international
collaborations with companies, institutions and universities and (iv) finding the necessary funds for
future activities.
On cybersecurity, Law No 362/2018 concerning measures for a high common level of security of
network and information systems came into force in January 2019. The new law aims to increase the
level of preparedness to cope with computer security incidents and to increase citizens’ trust in the
digital single market. This law applies to operators of essential services (OESs) and digital service
providers (DSPs). Romania would benefit from a national strategy focusing on the digital
transformation of enterprises. Targeted measures are needed to support the digitisation of SMEs
and raise awareness on the relevance and benefits of adopting digital technologies.
On Digital public services, Romania ranked last among EU Member States. The lack of
interoperability of IT systems in the public administration has been an issue for years, one that no
government has yet managed to resolve. In June 2019, a public consultation was launched on the
draft law establishing a national reference framework for achieving interoperability in ICT (‘CNRTIC’).
The aim is to bring to fruition the vision expressed in the 2017-2020 programme of the government
(specifically in the chapter on ‘Policies in the field of communications – Digital convergence’), to
achieve a simplification of procedures and reduction of bureaucracy through e-government. The
draft law would establish a general framework to manage the interoperability of the IT systems of
public institutions that provide services to the public. The draft law is currently pending before
Parliament.
Romania’s eIDAS (electronic identification) node is still in the process of being built through an
ERDF- financed project (‘SITUE’) that should be finalised by the end of 2020. The high cost of a
qualified digital signature (around €40/year per user) is the main challenge when it comes to
providing a digital identity for all citizens.
The main barriers to achieving digital public services in Romania are:
(i) the lack of coordination between public institutions in setting up such services
(ii) the migration of IT specialists from the public sector to the private sector or to other
countries and
(iii) the overall lack of digital skills. A well- implemented eGovernment solution would
help enterprises to carry out their business with government more easily, more
quickly and at lower cost. The adoption of the Interoperability Law and its
implementation by all public bodies involved would be a first step towards
improvements in digital public administration.
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 Slovakia:
Slovakia ranks 22nd out of the 28 EU Member States in the European Commission Digital Economy
and Society Index (DESI) 2020. The country continues to improve the fast and ultrafast broadband
coverage. The share of ICT specialists on total employment has increased and there are less Slovaks
who have never used the internet. E-Commerce is stagnating as the share of SMEs selling online
decreased for the second year in a row. The e- Government quality indicators are growing but
remain below the EU average.
While the 2011 national broadband strategy is still in place, the Deputy Prime Minister’s Office for
Investments and Informatisation is currently finalising the new national broadband plan for 2021-
2025. The new plan is expected to align Slovakia’s broadband strategy with the 2025 gigabit society
targets. It will be based on the priorities of the European structural and investment fund (ESIF 2021-
2027). In 2020, a new broadband mapping project was launched at the household/address level, as
a basis for preparing the national broadband plan. To replace the cancelled ‘Atlas for passive
infrastructure’ project, the Ministry of Environment will start a new project with a different
approach.
One of the country's long-term connectivity issues is the provision of high-speed broadband
coverage for “white spots” (i.e. municipalities covered by speeds of less than 30 Mbps). Slovakia
intends to address its remaining few dozen white spots by the end of 2020, thanks to private
investment by market players who declared their intention to give the majority of people in each
municipality access to speeds of at least 30 Mbit/s.
To achieve its mobile connectivity ambitions, the Ministry of Transport and Construction is currently
finalising a new document on “Support for the development of 5G networks in Slovakia for the years
2020-2025”. The finalisation of an update to the national broadband strategy will be a significant
step towards delivering on the gigabit targets. The effective implementation of the integrated
infrastructure operational programme, built on close coordination between public and private
stakeholders, could help make efficient use of EU funds, also with a view to ensuring coverage in
Slovakia's “white spots”.
Improving digital skills is one of the priorities of the Slovak Digital Transformation strategy 2030 and
the related action plan for 2019-2022. The aim is to adapt the education system and focus on skills
for jobs. The strategy also mentions the need to develop soft skills and competences for
participating in digital society (digital citizenship). The strategy builds on relevant parts of the
previous smart industry action plan whose education-related measures were not fully delivered. In
parallel, Slovak businesses are increasingly calling for a reform of the education system to reduce
the mismatch between the skills graduates gain at school and those requested by employers.
Low levels of digital literacy among young people is also a challenge. According to the Slovak School
Inspectorate, 45% of schools do not have a single qualified IT teacher. The latest European survey on
ICT in education shows that only 17% of Slovak primary schools are highly digitally equipped and
connected (EU average: 35%). While children intensively use digital tools and the internet for
entertainment, a recent report found that only 4 out of 10 are able to create presentations, charts
or work with spreadsheets. The situation is particularly serious in families that are lower on the
socio- economic scale.
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Slovakia is home to several initiatives such as IT Fitness test or IT Academia that aim to improve
digital skills of students and teachers. To tackle the issues the country also follows the line of the
National Education Programme that highlights the need to increase the use of digital technologies in
classrooms, and improve the digital skills of both students and teachers. However, the related
implementation plan only has 1 action out of 106 that directly supports the digitisation objectives.
The country has an active National Digital Coalition that works closely with the government. Its 83
members have submitted 219 pledges that vary from bringing more IT classes to schools, to training
teachers, to helping workers get their skill-sets ready for industry 4.0. Slovakia regularly participates
in EU Code Week. In 2019, the number of activities increased by 8% to 165 and the organisers
reported over 9,100 participants.
Human capital is not any more Slovakia’s best performing area. The country’s strategy is to reform
education, adapting it to technological developments, and to better equip students with skills and
competences for living and working in a digital economy. The main challenge will be to translate the
strategy into concrete actions, ensure proper funding and to use current successful initiatives such
as the IT Fitness test to impact a larger share of population.
Slovakia has a national digitisation strategy that supports the integration of innovative technologies
in companies. It aims to introduce legislation that will enable new business models, particularly ones
built on digital platforms and AI. It also plans to develop infrastructure and create favourable
conditions to test automated transport and enable new transport business models.
A growing number of industrial companies are taking steps towards digital transformation, mostly in
order to increase their performance and make internal processes more efficient. However, only 18%
of companies report a high or very high level of digital intensity (EU average: 26%. In general,
businesses still lack digitalisation support from public institutions, as the regulatory framework is not
yet fully adapted to this process.
When adopting new digital solutions, companies often rely on help from the private sector. For
example, Industry4UM is a private initiative hosted by the Ministry of Economy that serves as a
platform to help businesses in the digitising era. According to its annual survey, 48% of industrial
companies already have an internal team that deals with digital transformation.
Slovak businesses struggle to find qualified, talented workers to carry forward the digital
transformation. Companies do not generally offer quality in-house training to properly upskill their
employees. According to the national business environment index, companies consider bureaucracy,
corruption and insufficient law enforcement to be the main barriers for doing business. Slovakia
does not yet have a digital innovation hub (DIH). However, the government aims to create and
support a network of specialised centers for digital innovation that would have enough expertise
and financial capability to qualify to become DIHs. Three companies are already receiving mentoring
and coaching through an EU project.
The country takes part in all relevant EU initiatives that aim to strengthen the digital single market
and foster cooperation in strategic fields such as high-performance computing, AI and cybersecurity.
At the end of 2019, Slovakia joined other EU countries that work together to develop a quantum
communication infrastructure in the EU.
Slovakia is one of the 20 biggest car producers in the world, making it also an EU leader in robotic
intensity. With 165 industrial robots per 10.000 employees, the country is 16th in the global ranking.
This is mainly thanks to the robotisation of the car industry, but a rapid growth in robotic
automation has also been observed in logistics and in the service robots sector.
Slovak businesses are not yet fully benefiting from the digital transformation. The use of digital
technologies is stagnating as companies lack the right expertise. E-commerce is a missed
opportunity, in particular for SMEs. A rapid introduction of the measures set out in the national
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digitisation strategy could help to improve this trend. As a first step, businesses will need more
support, advice and enough talented people on the job market.
According to the Supreme Audit Office, the use of national and EU funds to invest in digital public
services has not led to a greater take-up by the public. This could be due to low trust in e-
government services, as 19% of Slovaks, compared to an EU average of 8%, are concerned about the
security of digital public services and limit or avoid electronic communication with public
authorities.
However, the government maintains its ambition and continues to roll out new features to make e-
government more attractive. The national digitisation strategy entails the introduction of a “data-
driven state” concept to improve the public administration’s use of data for analytical purposes.
Other positive measures include the “once-only” principle introduced by the law against
bureaucracy, the planned mobile eID and the API gateway. To make the services more user-centric
and attractive the government set up a unit of behavioural innovation. The unit trains public
servants and has developed principles of user-friendly and quality electronic public services which
should be applied across whole public administration.
However, stakeholders and NGOs are often critical about the digitisation of public services and
administration. Despite the government’s effort to improve the quality of public sector ICT and
involve external specialists, the experts grouped in Slovensko.digita point out that digitisation
projects in public administration often lack thorough analysis, are not properly prepared, are too
costly or do not reflect future technological developments.
The digitisation of healthcare and the rollout of e-health services are also objectives of the national
digitisation strategy. Since its launch in 2018, the national e-health system has already registered
over 100 million e-prescriptions and 75% of healthcare providers are connected. In 2020, the system
will start rolling out a new e-lab service that will help doctors and laboratories exchange laboratory
analyses. The Supreme Audit Office confirmed that the system has made good progress in recent
years and - even though it does not yet offer all features - it is saving resources. Nevertheless, the
costs of the system remain high.
The government’s ambition is to offer new digital public services that will help both people and
businesses. However, the take-up remains low and the quality of the services already in place is not
consistent. Involving a broader group of stakeholders, in particular consumers, in designing new
services and making them more user friendly could help to tackle these persisting issues and
increase trust. The national e-health system can serve as a good example.
 Slovenia:
Slovenia has improved and now ranks 16th out of 28 EU Member States in the Digital Economy and
Society Index (DESI) 2020. The country has improved its score in all five dimensions, but advanced in
ranking only in the integration of digital technology dimension.
Slovenia is preparing a National Broadband Plan 2025, which would be aligned with the gigabit
objectives for 2025. It includes plans for 5G coverage for urban areas and the main terrestrial
transport routes, gigabit connectivity for schools, transport hubs, public service providers and digital
industry, and networks of at least 100 Mbps, upgradable to 1 Gbps, covering all citizens.
The country continues to face a digital divide between urban and rural areas regarding fixed NGA
coverage, and the proportion of fibre connections varies significantly. The publicly funded project
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for the construction of the next-generation network (NGN) 2020, with a budget of approximately
€35 million has been long delayed. Following two unsuccessful tenders in 2018, Slovenia is investing
additional efforts in making the conditions for the new tender, which was published at the end of
February 2020, more attractive.
In 2019, all major operators actively continued to invest in very high capacity networks. In the
period 2016-2019 operators expressed commercial interest in covering about 250.000 households
with networks capable of providing speeds of 100 Mbps by 2022.
Slovenia still lacks a dedicated, comprehensive strategy for the management of the radiofrequency
spectrum necessary for the timely assignment of the 5G pioneer spectrum bands (700 MHz, 3.6 GHz
and 26 GHz), and for 5G deployment. Slovenia will delay assignment of one of 5G pioneer spectrum
bands, Slovenia’s 5G readiness indicator therefore stands at 0%.
Despite improvements achieved in the past years, national challenges impacted country’s
connectivity ranking negatively. Slovenia could speed up the rollout of its publicly funded projects.
The Slovenian market would benefit from greater collaboration between all public stakeholders and
the industry, especially in establishing the appropriate regulatory environment necessary to boost
private investment and competition, and in adopting the radio spectrum management strategy.
Basic digital skills levels remain below the EU average. For the period 2016-2020, the Digitalna
Slovenija 2020 strategy provides for improving connectivity and WiFi access in schools, enhancing
digital literacy, e-inclusion and the digital inclusion of the elderly. This is complemented by the
strategic guidelines for further implementation of ICT in Slovenian education until 2020.
In 2019, there was no significant progress in broadening the scope digital skills in the school
curricula of primary and secondary schools. The Ministry for Education, Research and Sport
acknowledges the need to increase the teaching of digital content in schools, but points out that
reforming curricula is a complex and lengthy process. According to the Slovenian authorities a new
Digital Education Action Plan 2021–2027 is expected to be prepared until June 2020.
Development projects on key competences and 21st century skills including digital content are
running in 361 selected kindergarten and schools, both at primary and secondary level, and they are
improving the situation in practice. Slovenia organised 199 events during the Code Week 2019 (10
activities per 100.000 inhabitants) with 6.977 participants, 43% of whom were women.
The Chamber of Commerce has been running a Digital Academy since 2017. The Academy is
targeting SMEs in the electrical engineering sector. Industry associations assess the measure as
useful in training digital transformation managers, and by 2019, it had achieved a high uptake. This
is complemented by the efforts of the Digital Coalition: several Strategic Research and Innovation
Partnerships (SRIPs) and the Digital Innovation Hubs (DIH) offer on the job training and awareness -
raising activities for the management of member companies.
One of the biggest strengths of Slovenia is its human capital. The knowledge needed for digital
transformation is concentrated in the country. It is reflected in the high number of ICT start-ups
(above the EU average) and a high proportion of STEM graduates. Digital infrastructure is good and
stable. Slovenia has the potential to serve as a reference model for the introduction of new digital
technologies and new niche business models.
As regards the integration of digital technology in businesses, Slovenia ranks 15th among EU
countries Slovenia continues to implement its Digital Slovenia 2020 strategy, the Research and
Innovation Strategy of Slovenia, as well as the Smart Specialization Strategy. Some of the concrete
actions, based on these strategies are the Strategic Research and Innovation Partnerships (SRIPs),
the Digital Innovation Hubs, and the FabLabs. However, the uptake in companies, especially SMEs,
which lack capacity and resources (both financial and skills) remains a challenge.
Slovenia developed the comprehensive programme of digitisation and digital transformation of
SMEs 2018-2023. It includes four measures:
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(i) the activities of the Digital Innovation Hub Slovenia (supported with €2,6 million)
(ii) the Slovene Entrepreneurial Fund, which runs several voucher schemes for
digitisation between 1.000 and 9.999 € per project (4 calls for ‘digital’ vouchers for
SMEs were published for preparing a digital strategy, digital marketing, raising digital
competences and cyber security)
(iii) SPIRIT Slovenia launched a public call for e-business for SMEs that internationalise
and digitalise their business
(iv) the public call for digital transformation for SMEs was published by Slovene
enterprises fund.
The adoption of digital technologies and business models is generally well advanced, but some
sectors (SMEs) are lagging behind. The digital transformation is going well in the automotive sector,
e-commerce, tourism, innovation of composite materials and companies integrated into foreign
value chains. Furthermore, Slovenia is strong in some areas such as robotics, fin-tech, cyber security
and artificial intelligence. There is a growing awareness of the need to integrate digital technologies
into business processes. According to the EIB, 75% of Slovenian firms have implemented, either fully
or partially, at least one digital technology. This is well above the EU average of 57%.
ICT experts in SMEs usually focus on core business operations rather than on innovation and
technology transfer. Recently more attention has been devoted to the digitisation of SMEs, which
may lead the way to improvements in this domain.
In digital public services, Slovenia now ranks 17th among EU countries. Slovenia is preparing new
legislation to introduce a national e-identity card in 2021 and has rolled out the smsPASS for mobile-
based access. Slovenia intends to introduce new app-based mobile solutions for authentication and
e-signature to offer more secure mobile access. Slovenian citizens and companies have unique ID
numbers (personal registration number, company’s registration number, tax number), that are
widely used in both paper-based and online procedures. These cannot be used for electronic
identification, however. At present, most e-services relay on qualified digital certificates issued by
the public or private sector (used for authentication and e-signature). These certificates are
relatively complex for the average user, and can be heavily dependent on browser policies.
Business portals have also been set-up for domestic and foreign entrepreneurs (e-VEM and EUGO).
In 2017, these systems were integrated into the newly established national business point
(Slovenska poslovna tocka, SPOT) portal. It is now easier to set up a business, and tax regulation for
micro companies have been simplified. E-invoicing and a simpler online system for paying
compulsory duties have also been introduced.
The tax authority offers a wide array of tax applications and tax declarations to citizens, business
and independent entrepreneurs (e-Davki). In 2019, a mobile application for the general public was
introduced.
Slovenia performs very well in the data economy. Slovenian companies rank in the top third in the
EU for the re-use of public sector data, profiting from the wide range of large databases that are
available to the public. Slovenia is drafting a data strategy and has plans to develop an integrated
data warehouse to make access to public sector data more user-friendly to governmental bodies,
citizens and companies. This is expected to strengthen use of emerging data-based solutions and
artificial intelligence.
In the area of e-Health, sickness certificates underwent a major reform in 2019 and can now be
submitted fully electronically. The reform is expected to reduce the administrative burden for
businesses by €16 million per year.
The planned rollout of the national e-identity card in 2021 and new app-based mobile solutions for
authentication and e-signature in 2020 will result in secure, unique and user-friendly electronic
159
identifiers, which are expected to boost the take up of digital public services and online transactions
in the business sector.
 Spain:
Spain’s current digital agenda dates back to 2013, ranks out 11th of 28 EU Member States in the
2020 edition of the DESI based on data prior to the pandemic and also ranks 2nd in the EU on digital
public services thanks to its well-timed implementation of a digital-by-default strategy throughout
its central public administration. The country performs well also in the area of connectivity but it is
below the EU average on the human capital indicators. Though it is improving its scores, almost half
of the Spanish population still lack basic digital skills. The country ranks 13th on integration of digital
technologies- its score is in line with the EU average-, although Spanish SMEs have yet to fully unlock
the potential of e-commerce.
Spain is very advanced in the provision of digital public services and performs particularly well in the
deployment of Very High Capacity Networks (VHCN). On the other hand, it is generally below EU
average in digital skills indicators and has a relatively weak performance in the digitisation of
businesses, especially of SMEs.
Three state secretaries in Ministry for Economic Affairs and Digital Transformation have
responsibility for digital matters: one for digitisation and artificial intelligence, a second for
telecommunications and digital infrastructure, and a third for Economy and Business Support. The
government is currently working on a national strategy for digital skills to ensure that all citizens,
with a special emphasis on workers, women and the elderly reach the required level of digital skills
and have the increasing level of skills needed to conduct their lives and work in today’s labour
market and society.
The 2019 “Agenda for change towards an inclusive and sustainable economy” aims to promote
education, growth, quality employment, innovation and digitisation, adapted to the specific needs
of each economic sector.
Spain implemented several measures in digital to deal with the COVID-19 crisis. Measures were first
taken to maintain the provision of the electronic communication services for the population and to
ensure these services were running smoothly during the disruption caused by the pandemic. Spain
also made an important effort to tackle online misinformation with the national website
covid19.gob.es and a chat bot for instant messaging apps with trustworthy information.
The national programme for the extension of next-generation broadband networks (‘Programa de
Extensión de la Banda Ancha de Nueva Generación’, PEBA-NGA), continues to provide financial
support for the roll-out of broadband networks in underserved areas. Spain notified to the European
Commission a modification of its PEBA-NGA €400 million scheme for 2020-2022 to include grey
areas, by rolling out infrastructure capable of providing speeds of 300 Mbps symmetrical,
upgradeable to 1 Gbps symmetrical. In December 2019, the European Commission declared the new
Spanish scheme compatible with EU State Aid rules. In April 2019, the Government approved the
regulation on the functioning of the Single Information Point (SIP), and the SIP is currently
operational.
Spain is one of the top performers in the roll-out of very-high capacity networks as well as the
takeup of ultrafast broadband connections of at least 100 Mbps.
160
The Ministry for Economic affairs and digital transformation is working on a new digital skills
strategy with a six-pillar structure:
1) digital skills for citizenship and inclusion
2) digital skills for education
3) digital skills for a sustainable employability
4) digital skills and SMEs
5) digital specialists (jobs and productivity) and
6) digital skills and gender. This upcoming digital skills strategy will aim to leverage €4
billion and will require support from the 2020 budget, expected by mid-2020.
The government has also prepared several funding initiatives on the digital economy:
1) digital enabling technologies (tecnologias digitales habilitadoras)
2) video game push programmes, with cofinancing from the European Regional
Development Fund (ERDF)
3) digital advisers, with over 1.000 SMEs as beneficiaries
4) smart cities, with co-financing from ERDF and finally
5) Desafia programme, giving access to 8-10 high-potential digital SMEs to a face-to-face immersion
programme in digital world hubs, such as San Francisco (USA), Tel Aviv (Israel) or ShenZen (China).
Spain is committed to advancing new digital technologies and to investing strategically in digital
technologies through EU-coordinated programmes. The country has two flagship projects on
quantum computing funded by the EU: CiViQ, which aims to provide long-term reliable data privacy
and 2D·SIPC, which aims to explore novel quantum device concepts based on 2D materials.
Regarding emerging technologies, Spain has developed a significant number of coordination
measures. The Secretary of State of Digitisation and Artificial Intelligence has created a working
group called ‘Emerge’, composed of all ministries and public bodies, to centralise information on
emerging technologies such as blockchain. A new working group is also currently following the
European blockchain partnership.
The country’s investment in open government data is an example to follow for large EU economies
when making the transition to digital-by-default in the central public administration. Over 98% of all
services are digital-ready thanks to timely implementation of the ICT strategic plan for 2015-2020
and the use of sufficient funds to develop the IT architecture. Interoperability with sub-national
levels of the administration is now key to ensure a smooth transition to regional and local levels and
to avoid overlap.
Spain can amplify its good results on e-Government by reaching a consensus between all public
administrations in Spain to develop the same digital-by-default interoperable infrastructure. It is of
utmost importance to lead the way and show how the digital-by-default strategy can be applied in
large EU economies.
 Sweden:
Sweden is a digital leader, ranking 2nd out of the 28 EU Member States and it is the front-runner
when it comes to connectivity (ranking 2nd in the EU), but still faces challenges when it comes to the
roll-out of broadband and coverage of remaining sparsely populated areas, as well as the timely
assignment of 5G bands.
The country is a front-runner in very high-capacity connectivity in Europe, but in order to reach its
ambitious national broadband targets it needs to address coverage in remote areas. The goal is by
161
2020 to reach 95% coverage of 100 Mbps, and by 2025, 99,9% coverage of 100 Mbps and 98%
coverage of 1 Gbps (homes passed). To reach these targets, roll-out in remaining sparsely populated
areas needs to speed up. For the next 3 years, the Swedish government has allocated 61,16€ million
for broadband development. Sweden is preparing a new national State aid scheme for the
distribution of this funding for the effective deployment of broadband.
The country is a front-runner in ultrafast connectivity in Europe. The biggest challenge for achieving
the goals of its ambitious national broadband strategy by 2020 is to address the difficulties of
ensuring roll-out and coverage of the remaining sparsely populated areas. In this respect, a
spectrum policy consistent with its investment needs will be key. The successful deployment of 5G
in Sweden depends on the timely availability and assignment of the 5G pioneer bands. The Ministry
is working together with PTS and the other relevant authorities to solve the delays with the permit-
granting procedures and to allocate funding more efficiently.
Country’s human capital is one of its strongest competitive advantages. 72% of the population has at
least basic digital skills and 46% above basic digital skills. To keep its technological edge, it is
important that the country addresses the unmet demand for digital experts.
The Swedish education system is one of the most digitalised in the EU. A revised curriculum for early
childhood learning is in place since autumn 2019. It aims, among others, to ensure that every child
can use digital tools in a way that stimulates development and learning. In primary education,
programming has been incorporated into the national curriculum since 2018 and national tests are
being digitised. A digital strategy for school system has been in place since 2017 and an action plan
was presented to the government in March 2019, containing 18 proposals involving different
stakeholders. The slow start of the implementation of these actions casts doubt on whether the
goals will be achieved by 2022. However, the government took a step forward and decided that the
National Agency for Education will coordinate the digitisation of the school system.
To inspire more people to be willing to participate in digital development the association “Future
Work Forum” launched Digital@Dag (Digital Day) for the first time in November 2019. It aims to be a
nationwide thematic day on the opportunities and challenges of digitalisation, which involves 100
actors.
To help tackle the lack of Artificial Intelligence (AI) experts, the Swedish government is putting a
special focus on education, including professional education and re-training, in the “National Focus
on AI”. It has also provided extra government funding to universities to organise short specialist
courses to strengthen life-long learning skills related to the development and use of AI. In 2019, the
government also tasked the Swedish Higher Education Authority and the Agency for Economic and
Regional Growth with analysing and providing suggestions on how the pool of digital experts can be
developed both in the short and long term.
The Swedish Digital Skills and Jobs Coalition, led by the IT and telecom industries, was launched in
2018. It has close to 30 members, including industry, employer associations, unions and
representatives from the education sector. The aim of the Coalition is to increase awareness of the
need for digital competences in society. It emphasises the need for cooperation and coordination to
ensure digital competences for all citizens in an accessible and inclusive way.
The EU Code Week is supported by volunteer ambassadors, leading teachers and the Swedish
Association of Local Authorities and Regions (SALAR). Sweden ranked 37th out of over 80
participating countries in 2019, and counted 298 activities involving nearly 11.000 people. 63% of
activities took place in schools and the average female participation rate was 51%.
162
To reach the goals set out in the digitisation strategy for the school system by 2022, all actors must
dedicate appropriate resources and work more actively. Skills mismatches in the labour force limit
the capacity of companies to innovate and capitalise from innovation. If Sweden wants to keep its
edge in the digital economy, increasing the number of digital experts, involving more women in
digitally intensive sectors and up-skilling the labour force are factors of great importance.
Almost all Swedes use the internet daily. Additionally, Swedish companies are integrating digital
technology relatively well, although progress is slowing and other countries are catching up. There is
also a big difference between large companies and SMEs. To further boost the digital transformation
of the Swedish economy, it is important that SMEs become more aware of the advantages of data-
driven innovation.
In line with the Swedish smart industry strategy, the government supports the digital transformation
of SMEs through, for example, vouchers for consultancy services (€10,7 million). The government
has also provided €1,46 million to improve the digital skills of management teams of SMEs.
Moreover, to help SMEs become better at exploiting the potential of data-driven innovation and
data as a resource – an area where Swedish companies fall behind their European counterparts –
the government has tasked the Swedish Agency for Economic and Regional Growth with helping
SMEs use data as a strategic resource. The Agency will identify sectors and industries where there is
the greatest potential, and organise seminars and pilot projects in a laboratory environment.
The Agency and Almi have also been tasked with supporting SMEs in rural areas with digitisation
process. Companies are offered help to create clear targets and action plans, as well as information
on how the investment in digital can be financed in the form of loans, venture capital, cheques and
grants.
AI is expected to have a strong impact on Swedish society. The Swedish government adopted a
national approach on AI in 2018 with the aim of making Sweden a leader in harnessing the
opportunities that the use of AI can offer to strengthen Sweden’s welfare and competitiveness. The
Swedish Innovation Agency (Vinnova) will invest €100 million over the next 10 years in AI-related
projects such as strengthening AI environments and development of projects. This complements the
investment of the same amount made by the Wallenberg Foundation in machine learning, deep
learning, explainable AI as well as the mathematics behind AI. In June 2019, the government
announced the investment of SEK 40 million in professional education in AI. Universities – led by
Chalmers University of Technology – will develop short specialists courses targeting professionals to
strengthen their skills related to the development of AI.
Sweden is committed to advancing and to investing strategically in new digital technologies through
EU-coordinated programmes. The country is a member of the EuroHPC Joint Undertaking and it has
signed the declaration establishing a European Blockchain partnership and the declaration on
cooperation on AI. At the end of 2019, Sweden also signed the declaration on quantum
communication infrastructure.
To further boost the digital transformation of the Swedish economy, it is important that SMEs
become more aware of the advantages of data-driven innovation. To keep its technological edge, it
is important that the country also tackles the lack of digital experts.
The Swedish public sector is digitally mature, but other countries are progressing faster. The country
ranks 23rd when it comes to open data, and it is important that it focuses on data as a strategic
resource.
Swedes are among the top users of e-Government services, but other EU countries are progressing
faster. According to the annual report “Swedes and the internet”, it is significant that 85% of those
above 16 years old believe that digital public services make their lives easier. One contributing
163
reason may be that it is possible to use mobile bank identification for most e-services, and 84% of
the population (+16 years) and nearly 99% of those aged between 21 and 50 have an electronic
bank identity. 51% of the population (+16) use a digital mailbox to receive information from over
100 public authorities, municipalities and regions. Sweden ranks 23rd when it comes to open data,
which pulls the country’s ranking in digital public services down.
In 2019, the government gave the Agency for Digital Government (DIGG) and several other agencies
assignments related to open data and the use of new technologies, including artificial intelligence in
the public sector. Two assignments aim to establish a national framework for basic data and a
common digital infrastructure that will simplify and streamline information exchange between
authorities, regions and municipalities. The underlying principle is that citizens and companies
should only have to report information once.
The Agency for Digital Government (DIGG) estimates that the use of AI within public administration
could strengthen the welfare system and create an economic value equivalent to SEK 140 billion per
year, which equals 6% of the total public expenditure in Sweden. Areas that need to be improved to
increase the public’s ability to use AI include governance and management, legal development, skills
provision, digital infrastructure, data management and innovation.
In 2019, the government tasked SALAR with boosting digital skills and competences in municipalities
and regions. The aim is to increase the ability to take advantage of the opportunities offered by
digitalisation, manage its challenges and increase the modernisation of welfare in the public sector.
SALAR offers workshops in digital competence development for politicians, senior officials and other
key people, adapted to the needs of municipalities and regions.
Digital care is on the rise. The use of remote consultations has increased sharply in primary care,
largely driven by two companies. This resulted in increased costs for the regions, but still only
amounts to a small proportion of the primary care budget. A national recommendation for the
pricing of digital care, along with a minimum patient fee for such contacts, has been reached. Digital
care also includes self-monitoring and registration of values, and computer programmes that use AI
to give advice about health needs based on the patient’s questions.
In September 2019, the government presented new measures to strengthen information security
and increase society’s resilience to cyberattacks. Also, in 2020, a national cybersecurity centre be
established with the aim of strengthening Sweden’s overall ability to prevent, detect and manage
cyber threats. In addition, the government has asked the Civil Contingencies Agency to carry out
targeted educational actions and to develop a structure for monitoring systematic information
security work in the public administrations.
The Swedish public sector is digitally mature, but it is important to focus on data as a strategic
resource and better leadership complemented with work on trust and accessibility in digital
services. According to the OECD, there are good conditions for using data to build citizen-related
services, analyse complex societal changes and promote digital innovation.
 The Netherlands:
The Netherlands ranks 4th out of 28 EU Member States in the Digital Economy and Society Index
(DESI) 2020. It therefore remains one of the top performers across Europe, with solid and steady
“digital growth”.
The Netherlands increased its score in human capital, use of internet services, integration of digital
technology and digital public services, in line with a comparable average increase across the EU. It is
164
among the top performers in connectivity, with near-complete fast broadband coverage (next
generation access/NGA) and 4G coverage of 99%. In addition, with its near-complete fast broadband
(NGA) coverage of 98% of households, the country is largely covered by two competing fixed
infrastructures, and in some areas three.
The country still ranks first in overall fixed broadband take-up with 98% of households in 2019,
compared to the EU average of 78%. However, when it comes to 5G, there are margins of
improvement. 5G pilots have started in all regions of the Netherlands and testing licenses at a
national level were granted already in 2017. While the country met the Digital Agenda for Europe
2020 goal for fixed broadband coverage, it failed to achieve the 50% take-up of 100 Mbps
broadband by households. In July 2018, the Dutch national broadband plan was updated with the
connectivity action plan, outlining the government’s efforts to remain Europe’s digital leader.
However, no 5G spectrum has yet been awarded. On 5G readiness, the Netherlands scores low, with
0% 5G spectrum assigned. The Netherlands is focusing its future efforts on 5G applications in
vertical industries (Internet of Things) as key drivers for future communications technologies,
especially in sectors as mobility/transport, food/agriculture and health. The Netherlands has high-
quality infrastructure with several fixed telecom networks (copper, cable and fibre) and three
mobile network providers.
Public policy initiatives could boost the efficient use of the advanced broadband technologies by
promoting the uptake of higher Mbps speeds. Further network roll-out in an already advanced
market, as well as upcoming 5G deployment can be improved through coordination between central
and local governments. Creating the preconditions for 5G roll- out is vital for the further deployment
of Gigabit networks. While the Netherlands has not yet assigned any 5G pioneer bands, it has taken
steps to lay the groundwork with the upcoming auction of the 700 MHz band.
Despite the positive trend on Human capital, the growth rate will arguably not be sufficient to meet
labour market demands. The percentage of female ICT specialists continues its slow but steady
growth, slightly above the EU average, although it remains relatively low. The importance of
equipping everyone with the right skills and competences to take full advantage of the opportunities
that digitalisation brings for economic growth and for tackling societal challenges was one of the key
principles underlying the Digitalisation Strategy, adopted in June 2018. This approach was confirmed
and strengthened in a review of the strategy, which was finalised in summer 2019.
The main focus was on lifelong learning, although this comes with significant challenges and
requires strong cooperation across the public and private sector, and in general between all
stakeholders. The Human Capital Agenda – the 2015 action plan to meet the growing demand for
ICT professionals – focused in 2019 on helping educational institutions make adjustments to the
curriculum due to the emergence of new technologies. As announced in the Digitalisation Strategy,
the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate, together with other
stakeholders, also launched the Digitalisation Agenda for Primary and Secondary Education in March
2019. The focus is on five key areas:
1) using existing financial resources to promote safe and affordable Internet facilities for
schools.
2) ensuring that students are digitally literate.
3) making teachers more digitally competent.
4) strengthening the innovative capacity of schools.
165
5) paying more attention to the ethical issues surrounding the digitalisation of

education.
This initiative builds upon previous efforts of the Dutch Government, including the ‘Mediawijzer’
network for media literacy. It is also part of the broader efforts for educational reform to improve
the national educational curriculum, which include proposals on digital literacy, basic ICT skills and
computational thinking to help solve problems. The increase in participation to the EU Code Week
grass-root initiatives (122 in 2019, up from 90 in 2018) confirms the high-level of interest in ICT
education in the country.
ECP – Platform for the Information Society works closely with partners in public authorities across
different ministries as well as with industry, teachers, researchers and non-governmental
organisations to advance this agenda. It coordinates the Dutch National Coalition for Digital Skills,
which has already launched and supported a number of relevant projects.
The Dutch Strategic Action Plan for Artificial Intelligence, adopted in October 2019, underlines the
importance of investing in AI-relevant skills for everyone, focusing both on advanced digital skills
(e.g., data science) and on basic competences. This approach includes the need to ensure societal
inclusion, including for migrants and other vulnerable groups.
The Netherlands has made important steps to strengthen human capital in the digital age. It is
important that these efforts continue. People in the Netherlands (95% of the population) are keen
to engage in a variety of internet activities, the Use of internet services is well above the EU average.
As regards, Integration of digital technology by businesses, the Netherlands ranks 4th among EU
countries. In its 2018 Digitalisation Strategy and in its annual reports on the state of the SME sector
(Jaarbericht Staat van the het MKB) the Dutch government recognised that companies, in particular
SMEs, are not fully reaping the benefits of digitalisation, including when it comes to total factor
productivity. However, it must be kept in mind that this slow-down is common among advanced
economies, and that the Netherlands remains one of the most productive and innovative economies
in the EU.
The Netherlands is committed to advancing new digital technologies and to investing strategically in
digital technologies thanks to joint initiatives with the EU: the country is a member of the European
High-Performance Computing Joint Undertaking and has signed the Declaration on Cooperation
Framework on High-Performance Computing. It has also signed EU declarations on the European
Blockchain Partnership, Cooperation on Artificial Intelligence and Quantum Computing
Infrastructure.
The Dutch Strategic Action Plan for Artificial Intelligence, adopted in October 2019, includes specific
measures to encourage companies to adopt AI and other advanced digital technologies. For
example, it promotes access to innovation financing for start-ups through early-stage financing and
the Innovation Credit, making it easier to access to risk capital. The plan also scales up the
‘Accelerating the Digitalisation of SMEs’ programme launched in 2018, using the existing five
regional smart industry hubs and research centres to boost information sharing and knowledge
transfer.
The Dutch National Cybersecurity Agenda, adopted in April 2018, aims to capitalise on the economic
and social opportunities of digitalisation in a secure way, protecting national security in the digital
domain. It focuses on strengthening the country’s capabilities to detect, limit and respond to cyber
threats, building successful barriers to cybercrime and maintaining a resilient, robust infrastructure.
166
The participation of the private sector and their adoption of measures that improve trust is seen as
key to promoting digitalisation in the country.
To boost the digital transformation of the Dutch economy even more, it is important to adopt a
strategic cross-cutting approach with the full involvement of all stakeholders. It is also essential to
raise awareness of the relevance of digitisation for SMEs and further support their ability to develop
the necessary capabilities and skills.
As regards, digital public services the Netherlands ranks 7th among EU countries. It performs well in
general. Although the number of e-government users has remained stable, a few other indicators,
such as the use of pre-filled forms and online service completion, have worsened slightly. The 2018
Digitalisation Strategy had already put the goal of a transparent and accessible e- government
squarely at the centre of the country’s priorities. This should pass the “feasibility test” in terms of
accessibility, transparency, availability and efficiency for all members of the public. The 2018
assessment recognised that work was needed to strengthen a sound, future-proof, basic digital
infrastructure and to improve the skills of public sector workers.
Accordingly, the Dutch government launched DIGIbeter, the Digital Government Agenda, in
February 2019. It aims to increase the autonomy of individuals and entrepreneurs by providing a
central hub for data and information sharing among the different public agencies and levels of
government based on open standards. In parallel, the Netherlands is investing in resources to
ensure inclusiveness also in the digital environment, including via the Digital Inclusion Action Plan.
The Network and Information Systems Security Act entered into force in 2019. It includes duties of
care and reporting obligations for providers of essential services and digital service providers. The
Public Service Information Security Office also entered into force in January 2019. The government
has also developed a ‘Diplomatic Response Framework’ for international cyber incidents.
In conclusion, the Netherlands is one of the EU countries with better overall performance in terms
of e-government maturity: this applies to both the widespread availability of online services and the
digitisation level of back and front offices of public administrations.
167
7. Tables Comparisons of Digital Transformation Strategy – DESI
DESI EU Greece Austria Belgium

DESI 2020 DESI 2019 DESI 2020 DESI 2019 DESI 2020 DESI 2019 DESI 2020 DESI 2019
score rank score rank score rank score rank score rank score rank
Overview 52,6 49,4 37,3 27 35,1 27 54,3 13 51,1 14 58,7 9 53,0 11
1. Connectivity 50,1 44,7 33,4 28 29,5 28 47,2 22 43,5 18 52,9 13 39,9 23
2. Human capital 49,3 47,9 34,8 25 32,7 25 56,7 9 55,7 8 50,4 12 49,6 12
3. Use of internet services 58,0 55,0 46,1 25 43,3 25 54,0 18 52,5 16 61,2 10 56,2 10
4. Integration of digital technology 41,4 39,8 28,2 24 30,2 22 40,6 17 34,8 19 65,9 3 61,4 3
5. Digital public services 72,0 67,0 51,5 27 46,4 27 80,8 8 76,3 10 71,7 15 65,8 14
DESI EU Bulgaria Croatia Cyprus

Overview 52,6 49,4 36,4 28 33,8 28 47,6 20 44,3 20 44,0 24 41,5 24
1. Connectivity 50,1 44,7 38,5 26 37,2 26 41,2 25 37,2 25 38,5 27 34,6 27
2. Human capital 49,3 47,9 33,9 26 28,5 28 49,2 13 46,8 14 35,8 23 34,6 24
DESI EU Czechia Denmark Estonia

Overview 52,6 49,4 50,8 17 47,3 18 69,1 3 66,0 3 61,1 7 58,3 5
1. Connectivity 50,1 44,7 44,9 24 43,5 19 65,8 1 59,2 3 51,9 14 49,9 9
2. Human capital 49,3 47,9 48,6 14 44,8 16 61,3 7 61,1 6 66,7 3 62,4 3
DESI EU Finland France Germany

Overview 52,6 49,4 72,3 1 68,1 1 52,2 15 49,8 16 56,1 12 51,2 13
1. Connectivity 50,1 44,7 59,2 9 54,5 6 49,8 18 48,0 13 59,4 8 47,7 14
2. Human capital 49,3 47,9 78,4 1 77,5 1 47,4 17 47,0 13 56,4 10 54,4 10
2
DESI EU Hungary Ireland Italy

Overview 52,6 49,4 47,5 21 42,3 22 61,8 6 58,0 6 43,6 25 41,6 23
1. Connectivity 50,1 44,7 59,8 7 45,9 16 45,7 23 42,5 22 50,0 17 48,2 12
2. Human capital 49,3 47,9 41,8 19 42,1 20 56,4 11 54,2 11 32,5 28 32,0 26
DESI EU Latvia Lithuania Luxembourg

Overview 52,6 49,4 50,7 18 49,9 15 53,9 14 51,8 12 57,9 10 54,5 9
1. Connectivity 50,1 44,7 61,8 4 59,8 2 48,9 19 46,0 15 63,3 3 57,1 4
2. Human capital 49,3 47,9 35,0 24 40,4 21 43,8 18 42,2 19 58,2 8 57,4 7
3
DESI EU Malta Poland Portugal

Overview 52,6 49,4 62,7 5 55,3 8 45,0 23 40,7 25 49,6 19 47,0 19
1. Connectivity 50,1 44,7 58,7 10 43,9 17 51,3 15 42,8 20 53,9 12 48,4 11
2. Human capital 49,3 47,9 61,8 6 55,0 9 37,3 22 36,8 22 37,8 21 35,2 23
DESI EU Romania Slovakia Slovenia

Overview 52,6 49,4 40,0 26 36,5 26 45,2 22 42,9 21 51,2 16 48,7 17
1. Connectivity 50,1 44,7 56,2 11 50,0 8 47,5 21 39,6 24 50,2 16 48,6 10
2. Human capital 49,3 47,9 33,2 27 31,1 27 41,8 20 44,2 18 48,3 15 46,3 15
4
Tables Comparisons - DESI
DESI EU Spain Sweden The Netherlands

Overview 52,6 49,4 57,5 11 53,6 10 69,7 2 67,5 2 67,7 4 63,6 4
1. Connectivity 50,1 44,7 60,8 5 55,4 5 64,4 2 60,1 1 60,3 6 50,5 7
2. Human capital 49,3 47,9 47,6 16 44,5 17 71,7 2 71,6 2 64,2 4 62,0 4
The structure of DESI – The five dimensions
1.Connectivity Fixed broadband take-up, fixed broadband coverage, mobile broadband and broadband prices. The
deployment of broadband infrastructure and its quality
2.Human capital Internet user skills and advanced skills. The skills needed to take advantage of the possibilities offered
by a digital society
3.Use of internet Citizens' use of internet services and online transactions. The variety of activities performed by citizens
online
4.Intergration of digital technology Business digitisation and e-commerce. The digitisation of businesses and development of the online
sales channel
5.Digital public services e-Government. The digitisation of public services, focusing on eGovernment
5

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MASTER

INFORMATION An Analysis of Strategies & National-level

Supervisor : Reseacher, PhD Charalampos

Θ Διπλωματικι Εργαςία παρουςιάςτθκε ενϊπιον

Θ ΣΡΙΜΕΛΘ΢ ΕΠΙΣΡΟΠΘ ΔΙΔΑ΢ΚΟΝΣΩΝ

Επιβλζπων: Διδάςκων Χαράλαμποσ Αλεξόπουλοσ

Σμιμα Μθχανικϊν Πλθροφοριακϊν

Μζλοσ 1: Λουκισ Ευρυπίδθσ

Σμιμα Μθχανικϊν Πλθροφοριακϊν

Μζλοσ 2: Χαραλαμπίδθσ Ιωάννθσ

Σμιμα Μθχανικϊν Πλθροφοριακϊν

΢τουσ δαςκάλουσ μου

Methodology/approach: There is no comprehensive analysis comparing digital transformation

Keywords: Digital Tranformation Policies, Digital Tranformation Strategies, Analysis framework,

«Ψηφιακόσ Μεταςχηματιςμόσ: Ανάλυςη Στρατηγικών & Πρωτοβουλιών ςε Εθνικό Επίπεδο»

Κφρια ευρήματα: Σο πλαίςιο ςφγκριςθσ των πολιτικϊν ψθφιακοφ μεταςχθματιςμοφ ανζδειξε

Λζξεισ – Κλειδιά: Πολιτικζσ Ψθφιακοφ Μεταςχθματιςμοφ, ΢τρατθγικζσ Ψθφιακοφ

Table of table contents

Table 1 Policy context……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..15

Table of figures contents

Figure 1 Frequency of the priorities of the MSs Digital Transformation Strategies………………………….22

• Source: Gov Factsheets

• Level of accomplishment of EU -Action plan

• Most important strategic goals

3.1. DEVELOPMENT OF ANALYSIS FRAMEWORK - research approach.

Research goal is to develop a cross-national framework for comparing digital transformation

3.2. DATA ACQUISITION.

The analysis framework aims to provide a comprehensive cross-national comparison on Digital

Table 1: Policy context4 - elements of Digital Public Administration Factsheets 2020

2 LE Legislation Number of laws

3 IN Infrastructure Number of infrastructure

4 GO Government Number of unit responsible

4.2 SUB Subnational

4. DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION NATIONAL STRATEGIES: ANALYSIS OF PRIORITIES

Digital transformation is a process characterized by the widespread implementation and combining

 Improve the wellbeing of

 lead the roll-out of 5G technology in Europe and

 Promoting sustainable  Achieve the digital

 Promoting the digitalization of public administration

 Improving the attractiveness of Spain as a European

 Transitioning to a data economy, guaranteeing safety

 Transitioning to a data economy, guaranteeing safety

Table 3: The Priorities of the MSs in relation to Digital Transformation

 Providing access to adequate  Information concept of the  Modernisation of public

 Insurance of secure environment for the

 Increased competitiveness of economy

 Opening up space for ICT-based

 Inclusion in the European Digital

Insurance of access to basic registers,

Table 4: The Prioroties of the MSs in relation to Digital Transformation

 Digital Single Market - free cross-

 Interoperability & Standards-  Applying data to

 Foster new knowledge in digital areas  General digitization according

Priorities  Support for the development of  Strategy for school

 Increasing the level of digital literacy,

 The benefits of ICT for EU society-

 Citizen at the center - strategy

Figure 1: Frequency of the priorities of the 27 MSs Digital transformation strategies

Cyber Security and protection of Digital Entrepreneurship /

Digital Public Services : 18

Data as a driver of growth in Digital Economy:13

According to Figure 3: “Analysis Framework of National Digital Transformation Strategy of EU27 by