eGovernment in the European Union May 2015We need to invest in smart use of technology and in the exploitation of information toseek solutions to reduce energy consumption, support ageing citizens, empowerpatients and improve online access for people with disabilities. One main objective is, by2015, patients to have access to their online medical records wherever they are in theEU. The Agenda will also boost energy saving ICT technologies such as Solid StateLighting technology (SSL) which requires 70 % less energy compared to standardlighting systems.In these seven areas, the Digital Agenda foresees some 100 follow-up actions, of which31 would be legislative. Further information and relevant publications can be viewed at theDigital Agenda's website.Main funding mechanismsThe Connecting Europe Facility (CEF)On 29 June 2011, the European Commission adopted a proposal for the next Multi-AnnualFinancial Framework for the period 2014-2020. In this Framework a new integratedinvestment instrument was proposed to improve Europe’s transport, energy and digitalnetworks: ‘The Connecting Europe Facility’ (CEF). Well-functioning infrastructures are a keycondition to achieve the Europe 2020 targets. By investing in the three main networks tomake them smart, sustainable and fully interconnected, Europe’s competitiveness will beboosted and new jobs will be created.CEF Digital has a budget of 1.14 billion euros, out of which 170 million euros are forBroadband activities, while 970 million euros are dedicated to Digital ServiceInfrastructures (DSIs) delivering networked cross-border services for citizens, businessesand public administrations. These projects are to contribute: to improvement of the competitiveness of the European economy, to promoting of interconnection and interoperability of national, regional and localnetworks, and to access to such networks, thus supporting the development of a Digital Single Market.The Broadband component of the programme seeks to contribute to the achievement of theDigital Agenda targets of all European households having access to internet connections of30 Megabits per Second by 2020, and of 50% of households subscribing to internetconnections above 100 Megabits per Second by 2020.In view of these targets, CEF aims at facilitating an efficient flow of private and publicinvestments to stimulate the deployment and modernisation of broadband networks. Atleast one third of the broadband projects financially supported under CEF shall aim atspeeds above 100Mbps.The Digital Service Infrastructures (DSIs) will facilitate the cross-border and cross-sectorinteraction between European public administrations. This, in turn, will enable the provisionof essential services for businesses and citizens in areas as diverse as electronicidentification and procurement, and interoperable health services.Projects will be firmly centred on deploying a relatively small number of trans-Europeaninfrastructures based upon mature technical and organisational solutions, and aimed atsupporting exchanges and collaboration with and within the public sector, across the EU.The DSIs also entails building infrastructures to roll-out the building blocks Large ScalePilots have provided to ensure interoperability (such as eID, eProcurement, electronicHealthcare records, e-Justice) and to link up Member States’ infrastructures.[12]
eGovernment in the European Union May 2015Horizon 2020Horizon 2020 is an EU Research and Innovation programme with nearly €80 billion offunding available over 7 years (2014 to 2020).Horizon 2020 is the financial instrument implementing the Innovation Union, a Europe 2020flagship initiative aimed at securing Europe's global competitiveness.Seen as a means to drive economic growth and create jobs, Horizon 2020 has the politicalbacking of Europe’s leaders and the Members of the European Parliament. They agreed thatresearch is an investment in our future and so put it at the heart of the EU’s blueprint forsmart, sustainable and inclusive growth and jobs.By coupling research and innovation, Horizon 2020 is helping to achieve this with itsemphasis on excellent science, industrial leadership and tackling societal challenges. Thegoal is to ensure Europe produces world-class science, removes barriers to innovation andmakes it easier for the public and private sectors to work together in delivering innovation.Horizon 2020 is open to everyone, with a simple structure that reduces red tape and timeso participants can focus on what is really important. This approach makes sure newprojects get off the ground quickly – and achieve results faster.Horizon 2020 reflects policy priorities of the Europe 2020 strategy and addresses majorconcerns shared by citizens in Europe and elsewhere. Horizon 2020 covers seven differentdomains of actions called ‘Societal Challenges’. The Societal Challenge 6 ‘Europe in achanging world – Inclusive, innovative and reflective societies’ deals with a series ofsocietal issues and among others addresses directly problems related to eGovernment andModernisation of Public Administrations. The research and innovation actions in this area for2014 and 2015 focus on demonstrating the open and collaborative government conceptthrough the following topics:Research into using emerging technologies in public sector;Pilots on open participation of the youth in decision-making processes;ICT-enabled open government; innovation actions for mobile, personalised publicservices and transparency of public administrations;Design and creation of innovative applications by SMEs, in order to foster thedelivery of mobile public services (eGov apps) for local and regional publicauthorities.Main achievementsLarge Scale Pilot projectsThe "Large Scale Pilot" projects (LSPs) develop practical solutions tested in real governmentservice cases across Europe. Large scale pilot projects (LSPs) have been developed and rununder the ICT Policy Support Programme 3 in five main areas; eID, eProcurement,eBusiness, eHealth and e-Justice to engage public authorities, service providers andresearch centres across the EU.3 Finalised in 2014[13]
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