Portugal has a commendable track record in digital governance, often ranking high in international benchmarks due to its strategic initiatives and effective practices. Key projects such as the Citizen and Public Procurement Portal (2004), the SIMPLEX programme (2007), and the Digital Mobile Key (2015) exemplify its success in delivering digital public services. Despite these achievements, there are ongoing challenges in areas like intersectoral coordination, open management, usability of digital services, digital literacy, and engagement with civil society. The dynamic nature of digital governance necessitates continuous efforts to address these challenges and sustain excellence.
This project aims to enhance Portugal's digital governance by thoroughly analysing its performance in ten significant international benchmarks, including the Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI) and the United Nations eGovernment Survey. By conducting detailed research and developing a comprehensive Action Plan with operationalized recommendations, the project will support the Administrative Modernization Agency (AMA) in improving its strategies. Over a two-year cycle, the project will monitor the implementation of these recommendations, facilitate interactions with national and international stakeholders, and strengthen AMA's institutional capacity, ultimately ensuring that Portugal remains a leader in digital governance.
Activities
Context Elicitation – This includes characterising the international benchmarks on digital governance and digital transformation relevant to the Portuguese context and benchmark international best practices concerning improving countries' performance on those international benchmarks.
Analysis, Recommendations and Action Plan – Analyse and benchmark Portugal’s performance on the international benchmarks and develop recommendations for accelerating the digital transition in the Portuguese public administration and improving the country’s performance in the relevant international benchmarks.
Monitoring the Action Plan implementation and Supporting the Benchmarking Exercises – i.e., monitoring and continuous support to AMA and creating a project repository.
Reporting, Validation and Capacity Building – Elaborate an annual project report and organise a Capacity Development Seminar on digital governance and international benchmarking exercises for key AMA stakeholders.
Deliverables
D1. Context Elicitation Report
D2. Analysis, Benchmark and Recommendations Report
D3. Project Repository
D4. Annual Project Report
D5. Capacity Development Seminar Report
