Member State Interview

The Once-Only view from France

We

Jonathan stressed that from the view of the French government, the Once-Only Technical System is a way to “develop a digital gateway to Europe”. He observed that “there are obviously procedures that are identified by the European regulation [(EU) 2018/1724], but what we also look at the potential behind Once-Only Technical System, like openness, interoperability, [data]sharing, how to generally ease the ability of Europeans to move around Europe”. For Jonathan, the legislation might list 21 procedures, but in unlocking how to maximalise the efficiency in completing these procedures in other EU countries, the Once-Only Technical System has a real potential to fundamentally change Europe’s digital destiny.

When we asked Jonathan what working on a project like the Once-Only Technical System meant to him, he wasted no time saying that he saw it as more than just his contribution to building a digital Europe, but his contribution to the entity that will transform data sharing between citizens and administrations.

He noted that the implementation of the Once-Only Technical System in France has three levels: political, business (in the form of a solid business case) and administrative. Any project that takes place at these levels, must run in parallel with other projects and initiatives. Only this way, he notes, can you address problems without losing too much ground – an agile way of working.

Implementation in France

We than asked about the current status of the Once-Only implementation in France. Showing the determination that will be fundamental to realising a project as project as the Once-Only Technical System, he says that France takes this objective as a challenge, asking himself how to reach this goal. There might be risk, but there is an obligation – and a lot to gain from a successful project.

Jonathan noted that digital transformation is a priority for the French government, as well as a strong European agenda. This is the political backdrop to operating on the three levels political, business and technical. Once cannot succeed without the other.

The technical aspect is not to be overlooked; he concludes. “A European procedure as described in the regulation may correspond to several different approaches in France”. Again, Jonathan sees this as a vindication of the agile way of working. “A business case that is not making fast progress, well, what do we do? Rather than getting stuck and waiting, we'll focus on the technical aspects. As soon as it unblocks, we come back to the other issue [pollical or administrative] […] That’s also agility”.

Thinking again about the interweaving of different political and administrative layers to build the Once-Only Technical System, Jonathan observes that digital policies are often highly planned “it’s a commando operation”. This is the essence of “paradellasiation” and agility – and there is only one year for the implementation of the system. Cooperation between countries is essential. “Member States will have to do two things” he notes. “They will have to send […] and receive supporting documents, within the framework of the 21 procedures. If asked to, each administration will build its own procedure. It will take four or five years. […] Why wouldn’t we pool resources? It’s the key”. Jonathan knows that the Once-Only Technical System is, by its nature, citizen-centric. “So, this means that each administration must develop its own preview space [as mandated in the Implementing Regulation]. We said to each other, but here too, why don't we pool this resource? And it's That's how the node was born, this platform”.

Ensuring that the quality of the system, and service, is a high priority for Jonathan: “we really must always keep in mind the experience of the end user. That's what drives everything in fact”. Jonathan reiterated his commitment to keep “high availability and high performance”. This is the key to building an even more ambitious system. “Because we want to be able to say to other [EU Member] States and to tell the European Commission that we are working for the [European] citizen. We want that when citizens connect, will have a satisfaction that this will enable politicians to engage more funds to develop this digital Europe”.

The European perspective

Considering the wider European perspective for a moment, Jonathan notes that “in reality, no one is forcing us to look at the European text [(EU) 2018/1724] as a constraint. I, personally, do not look at the European text as a constraint. I'm like, wow, it's a great springboard. That's leverage, it's great. We're going to build on that. But others must also have the same thought. They must be able to mobilise the resources and getting politics to come to support all development”.

Jonathan see’s the Once-Only Technical System, and projects like it, has part of what can make Europe a digital global leader. “The Same people who will make the European data centre, these will be the same people who will develop maybe a European Google”. He continued “We start with the procedures relating to citizens, but then can extend this initiative to [other] use cases”. Europe’s strength is that it is different countries cooperating. Reusing common solutions, like digital building blocks, to make common investments and save time and resources. But it only works “if we manage to communicate this European ambition”.

For Jonathan, Europe’s ability to innovate and cooperate is its strength. But he feels that regulating alone is not enough. “We must dare to change the rules of the game. We must dare to change the Technological paradigm […] If Europe can concentrate on Disruptive innovations, we change the rules of the game and we get involved creates a de facto advance rather than seeking to catch up.”.

His message is undeniably positive: “Europe deserves to make a technological new start, rather than feeling like it always lags behind […] This is a policy that must be pursued at the European level”.