Digital government initiatives are not confined to the Netherlands. They are high on the agenda in the European Union (EU). Digitalisation transcends national boundaries, and our neighbouring countries and partners face similar challenges. This presents opportunities to address issues at a higher level than that of individual member states, with collaborative efforts on common issues in various programmes, including those outside of the EU.
Policy
One of the EU’s priorities is achieving a Europe fit for the digital age. In February 2020, the current European Commission presented its digitalisation strategy, Shaping Europe’s Digital Future. The aim is to ensure digital transformation serves people, businesses, and the planet, aligning with EU values.
Europe's Digital Decade
On 9 March 2021, the European Commission unveiled its vision and strategy for the EU’s digital transformation by 2030, known as the 2030 Digital Compass: The European Way for the Digital Decade. The Digital Decade Policy Programme builds on this Digital Compass, committing EU member states and the European Commission to digitalisation by 2030 with jointly agreed European objectives. The policy programme is based on four pillars:
- Digital skills of the workforce
- Robust, secure, and sustainable digital infrastructure
- Digital transformation of businesses
- Accessible and user-centric public services
As a leader in digitalisation within the EU, the Netherlands aims to proactively contribute to these European digital objectives.
Programmes
The European Commission runs programmes for research and development, the development and management of building blocks, and for interoperability due to cross-border services. These usually have a broader scope than just government. Calls are regularly issued forproposals related to the European Digital Strategy.
Programmes from 2021
- The Digital Europe programme focuses on building strategic digital capabilities across the EU and the widespread application of digital technologies. The five pillars of the programme are: AI, blockchain, supercomputing, cybersecurity, and interoperability. Digital Innovation Hubs play a key role in the implementation of the programme.
- The Horizon Europe programme sets aside a total of €100 billion for research and innovation by 2027.
- Interoperable Europe is committed to implementing a new cooperation policy on interoperability for Europe, which is detailed in the Interoperable Europe Act of 2022.
Monitoring
The progress of policies is monitored. In the area of the Digital Single Market, the European Commission has developed the Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI), which provides an overview of digitalisation in EU member states.
European AI Strategy: The AI Act
Artificial intelligence (AI) presents significant opportunities and risks. It is playing an increasingly larger role in our society. The European Commission has established an AI strategy in which a new European regulation plays a central role. The AI Act is nearing completion and is a critical part of this programme. The regulation includes requirements and frameworks for the development and use of AI systems by governments and market parties. It aims to facilitate innovation and economic development while protecting public values.
European Data Strategy
The European Data Strategy aims to lead the way to a data-driven society. The EU aspires to create an internal data market so that data can flow freely within the EU and between sectors, benefiting businesses and researchers.
Cybersecurity
To build a resilient foundation that safeguards EU countries and their citizens, the EU establishes cybersecurity policies. The NIS2 directive is designed to improve the cybersecurity and resilience of essential services in EU member states. It operates in conjunction with the CER directive, which focuses on enhancing the resilience of physical infrastructure. These directives are being translated into Dutch law in 2024. The EU is also drafting the Cybersolidarity Act, aiming to improve the detection of cybersecurity threats and response capabilities.
Tallinn Declaration 2017 and Berlin Declaration 2021
In line with the eGovernment Action Plan, member states made further agreements on developing digital government at the ministerial conference in Tallinn in 2017. These agreements are documented in the Tallinn Declaration. The Berlin Declaration builds on this. Read more about these ministerial declarations.
The European Commission has also developed policies on data and new technologies, in which the (digital) government plays a significant role. The government not only sets the framework for responsible application but is also a major user of technology and data.
eGovernment Indicator
The eGovernment benchmark indicates the extent to which objectives in the field of digital government are being met. This benchmark is based on indicators, such as the use of digital forms by citizens, pre-filling of forms based on authentic sources, the availability of digital services around life events, and the provision of open data. The Netherlands emerged as one of the top-ranked countries in eGovernment.
