The European eGovernment Observatory A reference information tool for eGovernment professionals Inte

1
The European eGovernment ObservatoryA reference
information tool foreGovernment
professionalsInternational Executive Master
in e-Governance26 January 2005
2
Introduction

• The eGovernment Observatory is an initiative of
  the European Commission to provide the community
  of eGovernment professionals, at EU level and in
  the Member States, with a reference information
  source on eGovernment developments in Europe.
• Its purpose is the collection, analysis and
  dissemination of information on the developments
  of eGovernment-related policies, activities,
  initiatives, projects and debates across Europe
  and beyond, focusing on developments of
  pan-European relevance or interest.

3
Background

• The eGovernment Observatory was launched in May
  2002 in the framework of the IDA programme
  (Interchange of Data between Administrations).
• IDA a 5 years programme (1999-2004) aimed at
  supporting the implementation of EU legislation
  and policies by enabling efficient exchange of
  information between Member States'
  administrations and the European institutions by
  means of electronic networks and services.

4
Background

• Since 1 January 2005, IDA has been replaced by
  IDABC, a new Community programme for the
  Interoperable Delivery of pan-European
  eGovernment services to Administrations,
  Businesses and Citizens.
• The new programme retains the objectives of IDA
  but adds a focus on delivering or enabling the
  delivery of pan-European electronic public
  services to citizens and businesses.

5
IDABC Programme (2005-2009)

• Established by Decision 2004/387/EC of the
  European Parliament and of the Council of 21
  April 2004.
• The programmes objective is to identify,
  support and promote the development and
  establishment of pan-European eGovernment
  services and the underlying interoperable
  telematic networks supporting the Member States
  and the Community in the implementation, within
  their respective areas of competence, of
  Community policies and activities, achieving
  substantial benefits for public administrations,
  businesses and citizens.

6
Pan-EuropeaneGovernment Services (PEGS)

• PEGS are cross-border public sector information
  and interactive services, either sectoral or
  horizontal, provided by European public
  administrations to European public
  administrations, businesses and citizens, by
  means of interoperable trans-European telematic
  networks.
• IDABC will be implemented through projects of
  common interest, designed to help implement
  Community legislation, improve inter-institutional
  co-operation and establish or enhance PEGS in
  specific policy areas, and horizontal measures,
  designed to establish or enhance cross-sectoral
  PEGS, infrastructure services or strategic and
  support activities.

7
The eGovernment Observatory

• The eGovernment Observatory started as an IDA
  horizontal measure and is now being maintained
  and developed as an IDABC horizontal measure.
• Its mission is twofold
• Proactively support IDABC and the Member States
  in the identification and better understanding of
  eGovernment services.
• Contribute to the emergence of pan-European
  strategies in the framework of the IDABC
  programme.
• Another mission has emerged over time
• Provide the community of eGovernment
  professionals with a focal point where they can
  find reference information about eGovernment
  developments in Europe.

8
Strategy

• A strategic objective has been defined in 2003
  establish the eGovernment Observatory as the
  reference pan-European information source for the
  community of eGovernment professionals.
• This implies providing high-quality information
  about eGovernment strategies, initiatives,
  projects and good practices, developed and
  implemented in Europe and beyond.
• The priority over the past couple of years has
  been to improve quantity, quality and usability
  of the content published by the Observatory, with
  a view to better suit the needs of eGovernment
  professionals.

9
Products and services

• News about key eGovernment developments at EU
  level, in the Member States and beyond Europe.
• Fact sheets presenting basic information about
  the eGovernment situation and progress in each EU
  country.
• Case studies on eGovernment projects.
• Library of eGovernment documents (policy papers,
  official and independent reports, technical
  documentation).
• List of eGovernment events in Europe.

10
News itemsGeographical distribution
11
News itemsTopical distribution
12
The EuropeaneGovernment News Roundup

• In order to increase the reach of the Observatory
  and raise its usefulness for eGovernment
  professionals, a a weekly e-mail newsletter
  service was introduced in April 2003 the
  European eGovernment News Roundup.
• Each week, the Roundup provides subscribed
  eGovernment professionals with an update on the
  latest eGovernment developments in Europe, as
  well as with a calendar of upcoming eGovernment
  events.

13
Roundup subscribers
14
Evaluating progress so far

• In order to confirm the progress observed
  through the increase of Observatory website
  visitors and roundup subscribers, an online
  survey of Observatory users was performed in June
  -July 2004.
• Objectives
• Measure customer satisfaction with current
  products and services.
• Evaluate expectations regarding other potential
  products and services.
• Validate or amend the current strategy.

15
User Satisfaction

• Overall satisfaction with the Observatory
  (excluding Dont know/No opinion responses)

16
User Satisfaction (2)
 

• Satisfaction/dissatisfaction rates per product

17
Comparison with otherinformation sources
 

• Compared with other eGovernment information
  sources, the Observatory is

18
Mission fulfilment
 

• 92 of respondents said they agreed or partially
  agreed to say that the Observatory is the
  reference pan-European information source for the
  community of eGovernment professionals.
• 90 of respondents said they agreed or partially
  agreed to say that the Observatory is helpful to
  identify and better understand eGovernment issues
  and services.
• 86 of respondents said they agreed or partially
  agreed to say that the Observatory can contribute
  to the emergence of pan-European eGovernment
  strategies.
• 93 of respondents would recommend the
  Observatory to people interested in eGovernment

19
Conclusions
 

• The user survey delivered very positive results
  concerning the performance of the Observatory
• With well-targeted services and high-quality
  content, the Observatory is effectively reaching
  its target audience European eGovernment
  professionals and experts in both the public and
  the private sector and fulfils a real
  information need.
• The Observatory is perceived as a reference
  pan-European eGovernment information source.
• The strategy devised in early 2003 has been
  implemented successfully, and the Observatory is
  now fulfilling its mission and achieving its
  strategic objectives.

20
Conclusions (2)
 

• The survey results also highlighted a number of
  further possible improvements, which are now
  being implemented
• Development of an eGovernment Library storing key
  eGovernment documents at EU and Member State
  level and making them accessible through a
  comprehensive and user-friendly navigation
  structure.
• Improvement and of the structure and content of
  the eGovernment Factsheets, and inclusion of a
  basic eGovernment Directory/whos who for each
  country.
• Publication of new case studies on key topics of
  interest at pan-European level (e-ID,
  eProcurement, e-Infrastructure, etc.).

21
Further information

• About the IDABC programmeWebsite
  http//europa.eu.int/idabcE-mail
  idabc_at_cec.eu.int
• About the eGovernment ObservatoryWebsite
  http//europa.eu.int/idabc/egovoE-mail
  entr-egovo_at_cec.eu.int
• Subscription to the European eGovernment News
  Roundup
• By sending an e-mail to entr-egovo_at_cec.eu.int
• Through MyIDABC http//europa.eu.int/idabc/en/MyI
  DA/home/

22

• THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION