The implementation programme for the Netherlands’ Digitalisation Strategy (NDS) has begun and is gradually developing. However, questions remain: who sets the direction, how does the management operate, and how is the change being handled? Here are answers to 3 common questions.
1. What has transpired since the launch of the NDS?
Following the NDS launch, the implementation programme quickly moved into its start-up phase. Its structure and management are now in place, with all consultation participants, central government, local authorities, and public service providers clearly identified. This ensures both effective organisation and seamless operational coordination.
The management consists of two layers:
- Political and administrative guidance
- Programme management
The 1st layer ensures legitimacy and decision-making through established bodies, including the Intergovernmental Consultative Body on Digital Government (abbreviated OBDO in Dutch) and the new Administrative Consultation on Digitalisation (BOD, in Dutch). The 2nd layer is organised within the NDS implementation programme and concentrates on collaboration, acceleration, and achieving results.
For more information on the management structure and approach for the programme, please visit From Strategy to Action: NDS Implementation Begins.
2. What do the acceleration teams do?
Acceleration teams have been formed for each priority, such as Digital Resilience and Autonomy and Artificial Intelligence. The acceleration teams, comprising the government, local authorities, and public service providers, prioritise the implementation of accelerators and foster cooperation, knowledge sharing, and the adoption of best practices. Implementation is particularly well demonstrated in the acceleration teams, ensuring that current needs for implementation are met. This allows them to provide quality services to citizens and entrepreneurs alike.
The acceleration teams have now begun to establish a joint foundation for the task for each priority. The initial step is to convert the accelerators into concrete outcomes, milestones, and a clear roadmap. Further actions are also in progress. Several accelerators are already operational in some capacity and will continue to do so. However, instead of being executed at the national level, they will now be scaled to cover the entire public sector or integrated with other initiatives.
3. What exactly is the role of the NDS Council?
The NDS Council is an independent advisory body for the NDS, providing both solicited and unsolicited advice to the State Secretary for the Interior and Kingdom Relations (BZK) and the Administrative Consultation on Digitalisation.
The NDS Council aims to enrich, stimulate and increase the innovative capacity of the NDS. The council consists of 14 members. This includes experts from the business community, academia, knowledge institutions and public organisations who have been asked to participate in the council in a personal capacity. The chairpersons of the acceleration teams complement the council. The programme director of the implementation programme attends the NDS council but is not a member. This arrangement ensures a strong link between the NDS council and the implementation process of the NDS.
More information
For more background information about the Netherlands’ Digitalisation Strategy (NDS) and its priorities, please consult the following sources:
- Overview page for The Netherlands’ Digitalisation Strategy (NDS) – general notes and current developments.
- Document: The Netherlands’ Digitalisation Strategy (PDF) – with explanations of its 6 priorities and joint approach.
