Digitalisation of public services

News

11 April 2024

By Platform

The Interreg Europe Policy Learning Platform received the policy helpdesk request for more information on digitalisation of public services.

Our Thematic Expert for a Smarter and more Social Europe, Luc Schmerber, compiled a set of useful resources coming from Interreg Europe projects.

Our most recent policy brief on the digital transformation of public services gives an overview of the relevant European policy framework as well as set of good practices from the Interreg Europe community in the following categories:

Enhancing efficiency of administrative procedures and accessibility for citizens
Addressing the need for digital skills within public organizations
Fostering digital inclusion and adoption in remote areas
Procuring innovative digital solutions

On the same topic, our webinar on GovTech and digitalising the public sector focused on how innovative public procurement can be used to design new services based on state-of-the-art digital technologies. As well as how public servants can be engaged and empowered to find digital solutions for the public sector.

And our most recent webinar on AI for local authorities and policymakers presented cases from different European countries, mostly Nordic and Baltic countries. The webinar addressed especially the sub-topics of AI for decision-making and the ethical use of AI.

Interreg Europe projects dealing with Artificial Intelligence in public services

There are several ongoing Interreg Europe that focus on AI in public administration.

Project	Summary
AI4Citizens - Supporting ethical and effective AI governance in European cities and regions	The project addresses opportunities and challenges of the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) in the public sector, particularly in local and regional governments. By identifying good practices and novel solutions through interregional exchange and co-creation, the project aims to help local and regional policymakers improve and create policy mechanisms that facilitate the safe and ethical adoption of AI in the public sector, particularly in local and regional governments, thus increasing people's well-being and the vitality of the cities and regions.
ENAIBLER - Enabling AI-driven public sector	Artificial intelligence (AI) is acknowledged as one of the game-changers in the digitisation of territories and the public sector can play a vital role if it is empowered in the use of AI which is the main objective of Interreg Europe funded ENAIBLER project. The project will assist public sector organisations in unlocking the benefits of AI and the implementation of more open, transparent and ethical policies and services.
PROACTsme - Applied Data-Science and AI for proactive SME service	Adopting data and analytics in business policy and intervention is of special importance in moving forward toward personalised and proactive service provision for businesses, yet not easy for the public sector. PROACTsme will facilitate the exchange of experience, knowledge, and good practices in the use of data analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) for: Personalised and proactive services and reduced business-government interaction Building business intelligence Tracking SME policy and service needs in a changing environment Creating a more conducive environment for business
embrAIsme - Improving conditions and policies for SMEs to embrace AI	The overall objective of embrAIsme is to improve policies and programmes for encouraging the uptake of AI by SMEs regardless of their location, size and sector. The project’s specific objectives are to: Raise awareness of AI and increase data readiness Invest in human capital and skills Facilitate access to finance Foster networking and cooperation Strengthen the governance of AI/SME policies Better consider legal and ethical issues

Good practices on digitalisation of the public sector

Some of those projects have already published relevant good practices, such as:

Business early warning system: The early warning system is designed to assist small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) facing financial challenges in avoiding insolvency, sustaining viability, and preserving jobs. Companies deemed at risk are identified through the analysis of profit tax, value-added tax (VAT) declarations, financial statements, and data from third parties submitted to the State Tax Inspection (VMI).
Business diagnostic test: The Business Diagnostic Tool consists of 2 main elements - a questionnaire that reveals maturity in 6 different areas and a comparison of financial indicators with Lithuanian SMEs. The compilation of various company data is automated when information about the company is automatically taken from other institutions that collect company performance indicators.
AI Foundation Certificate for Public Servants: The aim of the course is to give a very basic introduction to AI so people understand the AI jargon, what it can and cannot be expected to do. Another very important aim is for people to realise their ethical responsibilities around the deployment of AI based systems in the delivery of public services.