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E-Government, Government Cloud

EU adopts e-govt action plan 2011-2015

By Xinghui Guo | 6 June 2011

The Council of the European Union (EU) has announced its adoption of a 23 point E-government Action Plan 2011–2015 on 27 May 2011. With greater interoperability, an open government and adoption of emerging technologies, the action plan aims to increase the use of e-government services to 50 per cent of citizens and 80 per cent of businesses by 2015.

This plan will run along four main priorities that “called for actions contributing to a new generation of open, flexible and personalised eGovernment services of administrations at local, regional, national, and European level”.

Empower citizens and businesses

Services will be designed around users needs the “main adage for public administrations is that; users must always be at the centre of their actions”. Services will be produced collaboratively, actively involving citizens and businesses through technology, and there will be greater access to public sector information with a focus on improving transparency.

Reinforce mobility in the single market

E-government services that facilitate citizens’ and businesses’ mobility will further the construction of digital single market. The transferability of public services—such as those related to social security, health benefits and pensions—within the 27 member states needs to be resolved, the action plan said. And obstacles impeding eProcurement across borders need to be removed.

Enable efficiency and effectiveness

Administrative processes will be integrated, along with front and back-end processes. E-government could also reduce carbon footprint. In that regard, the European Commission will conduct a study that by 2012, will have best practices for governments to reduce their carbon footprint through e-government.

Preconditions for e-government

For secure and efficient electronic collaboration between the member states, interoperable ICT infrastructures need to be developed. Open specifications is seen as a means promote interoperability. Pilot projects will be launched to demonstrate how public administrations can deliver eGovernment services in a more flexible and efficient way by using innovative architecture and technologies. Within the year, the commission will study and recommend action on how to apply emerging technologies like cloud computing within public sector.

Apart from annual measurement of the overall progress of the action plan, “active learning communities” will be established with member states exchanging their benchmarking initiatives and experience through ePractice and workshops.

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