Episodes
Published 03/04/24
Ukraine's journey towards digital transformation has been marked by significant achievements, notably through the development and implementation of Trembita, the nation’s data exchange layer, and the Diia app. These tools have revolutionised the way citizens interact with government services, making them more efficient, transparent, and accessible. Zooming out, though, the context and circumstances within which this rapid development took place would make most of us go red. If there’s one –...
Published 03/04/24
We find ourselves often saying that it is people, rather than technological tools, that make the digital transformation successful and effective. That holds true for what concerns listening to the needs of users, taking invaluable feedback, and returning to citizens with solutions that do actually fit their asks and necessities. That holds true as well, though, when applied to managing teams, and leading them to goals set in plans and strategies. Public service delivery makes no exception in...
Published 02/21/24
The e-Governance Conference reaches its tenth edition. In 2024, we mark a decade of digital dialogues – ten years through which topics and participants have become increasingly diverse, and the Conference established itself as a key appointment for practitioners worldwide. This year, we invite you to unlock the secrets and key enablers of successful digital transformation. “Digital success leads to aware and competent societies that enjoy prosperity and openness. It involves a journey of...
Published 02/07/24
Cybersecurity has been, undoubtedly, a dominant theme in last year’s digital governance discourse. The attention, and relevance, that cybersecurity increasingly enjoyed in the past years should be taken as a sign. As our life becomes increasingly digital, it is natural that more and more subdomains of it enter the scene too. In this podcast episode, Elsa Neeme, Senior Expert on Cybersecurity at eGA, and Vitalie Varaniță, assisting activities in Moldova, tell us more about cyber laws’ role in...
Published 01/24/24
Digital skills, collaborative efforts between the public and private sectors and governments are important in leading businesses into the digital era. We start the year with a strong vision and a focus on Europe, in light of the recently published DigitalEurope 2030 report. And we do so with Raido Lember, former CEO of the National Investment Promotion Agency of Estonia, right now consulting businesses independently and as eGA expert. It is a strategy that goes beyond wishful thinking, or at...
Published 01/10/24
And here we are, at the end-of-year appointment with Hannes Astok, Executive Director and Chairman of e-Governance Academy (eGA) to take a look back at what 2023 meant for governments worldwide.  But also, we reflect on what the year meant for eGA. Through our projects and activities, we have once again had the pleasure – and duty – to work with an impressive number of countries, cultures, and various digital government ecosystems. Data quality, cybersecurity, and digital identity have been...
Published 12/19/23
“Digital skills feel like a superpower. Because if you can use computers and the internet, the world opens in front of you,” says Kristi Kivilo, Senior Expert in the Governance and Engagement unit of e-Governance Academy. And digital skills, indeed, are the perfect example of something rather small, but that may have a tremendous impact on people’s lives. That holds true in rapidly growing countries, in nations tackling issues of digital and media literacy, or in the day-to-day with common...
Published 12/13/23
The saying goes, that the weakest link in the chain of cybersecurity is people. But what about a change of perspective? People, instead, could be considered the first line in a cyber battlefield. An approach that signalled a change of mindset in Moldova, for example, within the ongoing EU-funded project on developing cybersecurity rapid assistance. Including citizens in the scope, next to technical development, to increase online safety. In this episode of the Digital Government Podcast, Rica...
Published 12/06/23
Digital transformation of government in Central Asia, in this podcast episode, has the face of Kyrgyzstan. Almost a decade since the inception of the country’s first plans, public services are now available online for citizens, and data exchange is happening between government agencies. Something Tõnis Mäe, Senior Expert of the Digital Architecture Competence Centre of e-Governance Academy, is rightfully proud of – and it shows. Fresh from his two-year tenure in Kyrgyzstan, we discuss with...
Published 11/22/23
Whether in population management, or more specific business processes and use cases, we can’t stress enough the significance of digital data quality. Because tidy registries equate to informed decision-making, and the possibility to build powerful tools and solutions on top of them. In this episode of the Digital Government Podcast, we expand on how ensuring data quality might be an overlooked yet essential aspect of advancing digital transformation. And prepare governments for the next wave...
Published 11/08/23
How long are two decades, when it comes to digital government? Well, very long – and with a lot of things happening. At least that is what it feels like, as the rapid pace of technological development presents governments with new opportunities, sure. But also, with challenges and risks, new elements to consider in strategy papers, and different ways of delivering services to citizens. Arvo Ott has seen quite some things happen in this time span. First, as the first Government CIO of Estonia...
Published 11/08/23
The past decade has seen digitalization efforts in Latin America and the Caribbean area ramp up rapidly. Development has been fast, but not homogenous. Differing approaches across countries have created a map of digitalization, so to say, that sees governments in the region excel at different things. So what’s the way forward, in such a rapidly moving landscape? Carlos Vargas is an Expert at the Competence Centre for Government and Engagement of e-Governance Academy, currently based in Chile....
Published 11/01/23
Crucial distinctions exist between cybersecurity and cyber defence – even more so, at times when war and conflicts seem ever-present in news headlines from all around the globe. It is only fair, then, that governments look into enhancing their cyber defence capabilities and adapt plans and policy agendas to fit a constantly changing threat landscape. Merle Maigre, Head of the Competence Centre on Cybersecurity at e-Governance Academy, joins us in this closing podcast of the cybersecurity...
Published 10/25/23
Times of digital love, those we live in – as Daft Punk stated too. Practically, the entire supply chain of romance has somehow been impacted by societal digital transformation. Instant messaging, dating apps. So why not take online as well all the boring bureaucratic steps that would lead to the “yes, I do”. A podcast episode on love, war times, and digital services. All elements that coexist in the roll-out of the marriage application e-service, a reality in Estonia and now also in Ukraine....
Published 10/18/23
October is cybersecurity month. Not that in the rest of the year we are not supposed to place the same attention to safeguarding our digital spaces – that needs to be constant, ever-present. But moments like this do help us highlight, and stress once more, the importance of cybersecurity as a cross-cutting component of digital development actions and strategies. In this podcast episode, we do so by focusing on cybersecurity trainings – why do we need them, differences in skills and audiences,...
Published 10/11/23
Civil society organizations (CSOs) are assuming growingly critical roles in a rapidly evolving digital landscape. These organizations act as intermediaries between citizens and governments, advocating for inclusive digital policies and services that cater to the needs of all.  In the Western Balkans, the ICEDA project aimed to foster and improve CSOs role and positioning in order to do just that. From shaping the digital agenda, to spreading a culture of cybersecurity and cyber hygiene. In...
Published 10/04/23
The newly formed Competence Centre of e-Governance Academy on Governance and Engagement already has a track record of matching active citizenship with institutional dialogue, bringing citizens and administrations closer together. But let’s zoom out for a moment. We have worked on improving the relationship between public service providers and users in Georgia, Ukraine, and many other countries worldwide. In what context and which direction, though, these developments took place more at...
Published 09/27/23
E-governance practitioners well know that the implementation of digital tools is essential, to enhance the provision and reach of public services. This applies across domains, from the most specific in user base to the more generalist ones. But innovation gains even further relevance when services matter to the entire population at large – in short when it comes to public goods. Healthcare represents by full means one of these cases. And as of late, the e-Governance Academy features in its...
Published 09/20/23
Digitalization is rapidly transforming democratic processes. Ensuring digital security, as a consequence, has become paramount for safeguarding free and fair elections. Countries in the Western Balkans have recognized the critical role of cybersecurity in preserving the integrity of democratic systems, but at what cost?  Repeated high-profile cyberattacks over the past year have underscored the urgency of adopting a well-structured approach to cybersecurity. The European Union (EU) has...
Published 09/13/23
Despite the war, despite the devastation. We saw it last year already, through the eyes and voices of e-Governance Academy’s team in Ukraine – digital transformation never stopped in the country. If anything, it picked up pace. In fact, in many ways, digital tools helped Ukrainians work and access public services despite the ongoing Russian invasion. And another milestone has been reached in April. Ukraine has become the first non-EU country to see digital signatures of its businesses and...
Published 06/28/23
Speaking today is Serign Modou Bah, Director of Telecommunications and Postal Services at the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy of The Gambia. In this episode, next to delving into the status of digital transformation in the country, Modou Bah discusses the importance of getting right needs and policy actions, and the role of international partnerships in advancing the country’s digital journey. Status of digital transformation in The Gambia, at a glance The Gambia, like many...
Published 06/21/23
The all-African panel that took place at the e-Governance Conference 2023 brought into the spotlight country cases of digital transformation from the continent. An enlightening sessions, where everyone attending – both online and offline – got a unique chance to hear, at a glance, the most salient developments in digital taking place in Uganda and Namibia, among others. In this episode of the Digital Government Podcast, we host one of the speakers of that session – Dr. Amina Zawedde. As the...
Published 06/14/23
The Tallinn Summer School of Cyber Diplomacy returns for its fourth edition, keeping up the pace with global developments in diplomacy and cybersecurity. But it’s not just about the mainstreaming of cyber diplomacy as a foreign policy topic, following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. In both war and peace times, it has become evident how international collaboration can set the world to create a safer and more secure cyberspace – from attributing cyber operations, to applying international law on...
Published 06/06/23