Last update: 02/2005
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What is the eGovernment Observatory?
Objectives
How does it work?
Achievements
Who benefits?
The role of IDABC
Technical information
What is the eGovernment Observatory?
The eGovernment Observatory is a project to collect and analyse information concerning the main initiatives and developments in the field of eGovernment, in Europe and beyond, and to disseminate this information through the IDABC website and other media. Its target audience includes eGovernment decision-makers and professionals in public administrations, as well as in the private and voluntary sectors.
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Objectives
The primary aim of the eGovernment Observatory is to proactively support IDABC and the Member States in the identification and understanding of eGovernment areas where IDABC shall play a role, complemented by a better identification of best practices in the field. Its outputs should contribute to the identification of priorities for pan-European eGovernment services and the emergence of related strategies. The Observatory seeks the coordination of its activities with other EU initiatives related to eGovernment and the Information Society, particularly in the context of the eEurope Action Plan.
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How does it work?
In order to achieve the objectives mentioned above, the eGovernment Observatory covers two areas:
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Continuous monitoring of eGovernment activities and developments in Europe, covering both public administrations and relevant developments in the private sector.
- Analysis of trends, organisational issues and technologies related to electronic service delivery in the public sector.
The IDABC Unit in cooperation with Member States' experts identifies the specific areas subject to deeper analysis. This is made on the basis of the expected benefits for the administrations and decision makers.
The "products" delivered through the Observatory website are intended to widely disseminate information about eGovernment activities:
- News: daily news from across Europe;
- Factsheets: a synopsis of the eGovernment situation and progress in European countries;
- Library: a repository of essential eGovernment documentation at European and Member State level: policy papers, official and independent reports and surveys, technical documents, legal texts, etc.;
- Events: a comprehensive list of eGovernment-related events in Europe and beyond.
In addition, a weekly e-mail newsletter has been introduced, called the "European eGovernment News Roundup", enabling subscribers to receive information about the latest eGovernment developments, initiatives and insight from across Europe.
The main target audience for these products comprises eGovernment decision-makers and professionals in public administrations, private companies, associations, the media and others organisations involved in the eGovernment domain.
In order to produce these information "products", the eGovernment Observatory team gathers information on existing eGovernment initiatives and emerging trends in terms of applications, R&D technologies and commercial solutions that could have an impact to enable the effective deployment of the expectations raised by eGovernment. The work involves the identification of relevant information, contributing to create synergies with complementary initiatives at EU level or in the Member States – at both national and regional level – packaging the information in the appropriate multimedia format(s), raising awareness and disseminating the information (web, information network with the Member States Administrations, meetings, documents, etc.).
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Achievements
The Observatory was established under the IDA programme. The web site went live in 2002.
In 2003 and 2004 the Observatory focused on raising the quality and quantity of content published, improving geographical and topical coverage, enhancing website usability, expanding the user base and raising the profile of the Observatory towards senior eGovernment professionals across Europe.
A user survey performed in mid-2004 delivered very positive results concerning the performance of the Observatory and the satisfaction of its customers. 86% of respondents said they were either satisfied or very satisfied with the overall quality of the services provided by the eGovernment Observatory, and 92% said they agreed or partially agreed to say that the Observatory is the reference European information source for the community of eGovernment professionals. These results have shown that the eGovernment Observatory is meeting a real information need, fulfilling its mission and achieving its strategic objectives.
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Who benefits?
Citizens: the eGovernment Observatory enables citizens to access the latest information on eGovernment achievements and developments in Europe. In this respect, the eGovernment Observatory contributes to bringing the initiatives of the public administrations closer to citizens.
Public Administrations: At a time when Europe is rapidly moving online, the eGovernment Observatory helps public administrations assess and monitor their progress against other developments across the continent. It gives them access to information about innovative projects and best practices and therefore helps them in the design and delivery of their own initiatives.
Businesses: the eGovernment Observatory provides input to organisations involved in eGovernment to better understand the essential market requirements and trends.
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The role of IDABC
The IDABC Programme takes into account the need for strategic activities to assess and promote European eGovernment services and spread good practice in the application of information technologies. The eGovernment Observatory supports this strategy.
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Technical information
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Project start date
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January 2002
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Project status
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Ongoing
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IDA budget
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2001 € 546,000
2002 € 266,000
2003 € 260,000
2004 € 200,000
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Responsible service
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DG Enterprise and Industry - IDABC Unit
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Project coordinator
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Emilio Castrillejo
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Contact
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idabc@ec.europa.eu
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Countries involved
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EU Member States, candidate countries and countries of the European Economic Area.
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