Communication: EU eGovernment Action Plan 2016-2020 – accelerating the digital transformation of government

Author (Corporate)
Series Title
Series Details (2016) 179 final (19.4.16)
Publication Date 19/04/2016
Content Type ,

eGovernment supports administrative processes, improves the quality of the services and increases internal public sector efficiency. Digital public services reduce administrative burden on businesses and citizens by making their interactions with public administrations faster and efficient, more convenient and transparent, and less costly. In addition, using digital technologies as an integrated part of governments’ modernisation strategies can unlock further economic and social benefits for society as a whole. The digital transformation of government is a key element to the success of the Single Market.

The eGovernment Action Plans have been political instruments to advance the modernisation of public administrations across the European Union. They have been supporting coordination and collaboration between Member States and the Commission and led to joint actions on eGovernment.

Evaluation results of the past eGovernment Action Plan 2011-2015 recognise that the Action Plan had a positive impact on the development of eGovernment at the European and Member State level. It contributed to the coherence of national eGovernment strategies as well as to the exchange of best practices and the interoperability of solutions between Member States. In particular, it led to the development of technological enablers that are key to facilitate access to and use of public services. However, citizens and businesses are not yet getting the full benefit from digital services that should be available seamlessly across the EU.

By joining efforts at European Union level, the availability and take-up of eGovernment services can be increased, resulting in faster, cheaper, more user-oriented digital public services. Seamless cross-border and digital public services contribute to competitiveness and make the EU a more attractive place to invest and live in.

The Digital Single Market Strategy for Europe (DSM) announces the launch of a new eGovernment Action Plan for 2016-2020 that aims to remove existing digital barriers to the Digital Single Market and to prevent further fragmentation arising in the context of the modernisation of public administrations. This EU eGovernment Action Plan aims to be the instrument to join up efforts. While Member States pursue their own strategies and activities, this Action Plan – based on a shared long-term vision - sets out a number of principles that forthcoming initiatives should observe in order to deliver the significant benefits that eGovernment can bring to businesses, citizens and public administrations themselves.

The Action Plan provides for a dynamic and flexible approach, to keep track of the fast changing environment. Beyond the actions identified in this Action Plan, further actions may be proposed either by the Commission or by stakeholders, including Member States. All actions led by the Commission will be prepared in line with the Commission's better regulation standards.

The Action Plan will serve as a catalyst to coordinate public sector modernisation efforts and resources in the field of eGovernment. The Action Plan will not have a dedicated budget or funding instrument; it will however help to coordinate funding sources and accompanying measures that are available to Member States through different EU programmes.

Source Link Link to Main Source http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=COM:2016:179:FIN
Related Links
ESO: Background information: Commission sets out path to digitise European industry http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-commission-sets-out-path-to-digitise-european-industry/
EUR-Lex: SWD(2016)108: Implementation and evaluation report http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=SWD:2016:108:FIN
EUR-Lex: SWD(2016)109: Executive summary of the implementation and evaluation report http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=SWD:2016:109:FIN

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