Open Government is a must for Public Sector Innovation

Information Day presenting ICT-enabled Public Sector Innovation in the new EU framework programme for Research and Innovation, Horizon 2020 was realized on Feb 10th 2014 in Brussels, Belgium.

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After the launch of Horizon 2020 Programme, several information days related to specific topics have been organizing by the European Commission in order to inform the participants about the general aspects of the programme, its instruments and related topics in the work programme 2014-2015 and to bring together the people interested in research and innovation for networking. One of these information days, H2020 Info Day: Innovation and Public Sector, was organized on Feb 10^th, 2014 in Brussels. Around 310 participants attended and around 27 presentations were made during the event.

European Commissioners informed the participants about the general aspects of the H2020 Programme and the following e-Government related topics in the work programme 2014-2015:

ICT-enabled open government
engagement of young people (eParticipation)
emerging technologies in the public sector
mobile e-government applications by SMEs
privacy
cloud of public services

The open government approach was told as being the core element for public sector innovation which is needed to create and implement new and improved processes, products, services and methods of delivery in the public sector. Jean-François Junger, Deputy Head of Unit, DG CONNECT, Public sector at European Commission, stated that the open government concept consists of three elements: Open Data, Open Process and Open Service. As mentioned in ICT-enabled Public Sector Innovation flyer; the availability of open data can facilitate the creation of new services, stimulate new markets, businesses and jobs, by adding value to the original data provided by government. The full use of big data in Europe’s 23 largest governments can reduce administrative costs by 15% to 20%. Open and modular public services can be re-used by different administrations, but also by businesses and citizens, in order to create and deliver personalised, user-friendly and innovative services.[1]

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The collaboration between government, third parties, SMEs and young people is very important for the public sector innovation. These parties should come together and develop new e-government projects in terms of the H2020 funding opportunities below: (please click on the titles to see the details)

Societal Challenge 6, Call 2014