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    INESC Porto supports the adoption of the Digital Local Agenda in European Regions

    INESC Porto is supporting the adoption and implementation of the Digital Local Agenda (DLA) in Europe. The DLA aims to improve living conditions for citizens through eInclusion strategies for local populations using ICT and with the support of civil servants in order to improve infrastructures, eGovernance and eInclusion.

    02nd May 2011

    The DLA, approved in 2007, was launched within the scope of the EISCO conferences (European Information Society Conference) to answer the European Union’s i2010 strategy for eInclusion in local administration. Through the Cracow Declaration the strategy outlined ten objectives for the continuous development of eGovernment platforms. The challenges presented by this declaration include total access to online services, awareness of eInclusion, security and privacy, motivation for online participation, the development of eGovernance, the implementation of digital ecosystems and training centres, increasing competitiveness and Public sector-Private sector partnerships, Open Source technology resources, training for civil servants, work incentives and digital solidarity. 

    The CEMSDI project (Civil-servant Empowerment for Multi Media Service Delivery ICT-enabled) is an important part of the Digital Local Agenda. The project aims to support the establishment of eInclusion and eGovernance policies and empower civil servants, and other professionals in the service supply chain, in areas where eExclusion is more widespread.

    CEMSDI is running pilots in five countries (Italy, Norway, Portugal, Spain and the UK) that are aimed at groups in risk of eExclusion and its overall objective is to modernise the organisation of public administration and provide effective local services and eGovernance.

    The project will focus on Local Governments with 8,000 inhabitants or less where the digital divide seems to be more prevalent. The competencies of civil servants and administration systems in these areas are crucial to implementing eInclusion policies.
    Rui Barros, a researcher at INESC Porto, is leading the Community of Practice for the Digital Local Agenda which aims to bring together specialists in DLA and eGovernance and interested parties to encourage the exchange of knowledge and practices and promote the DLA in Europe.

    Source: BIP 115