Selection and Eligibility Criteria

The Communication on the eGovernment Action Plan 21016 – 2020 sets out a number of principles that forthcoming initiatives should observe in order to deliver the significant benefits that eGovernment can bring to businesses, citizens and public administrations themselves:

  • Digital by Default: public administrations should deliver services digitally (including machine readable information) as the preferred option (while still keeping other channels open for those who are disconnected by choice or necessity). In addition, public services should be delivered through a single contact point or a one-stop-shop and via different channels.
  • Once only principle: public administrations should ensure that citizens and businesses supply the same information only once to a public administration. Public administration offices take action if permitted to internally re-use this data, in due respect of data protection rules, so that no additional burden falls on citizens and businesses.
  • Inclusiveness and accessibility: public administrations should design digital public services that are inclusive by default and cater for different needs such as those of the elderly and people with disabilities.
  • Openness & transparency: public administrations should share information and data between themselves and enable citizens and businesses to access control and correct their own data; enable users to monitor administrative processes that involve them; engage with and open up to stakeholders (such as businesses, researchers and non-profit organisations) in the design and delivery of services.
  • Cross-border by default: public administrations should make relevant digital public services available across borders and prevent further fragmentation to arise, thereby facilitating mobility within the Single Market.
  • Interoperability by default: public services should be designed to work seamlessly across the Single Market and across organisational silos, relying on the free movement of data and digital services in the European Union.
  • Trustworthiness & Security: All initiatives should go beyond the mere compliance with the legal framework on personal data protection and privacy, and IT security, by integrating those elements in the design phase. These are important pre-conditions for increasing trust in and take-up of digital services.

 

In case of actions proposed for implementation by the Commission, and in addition to adhering to the principles set out in the Action Plan, including the application of the Better Regulation requirements and the right of initiative, the Commission will take into account the following criteria:

  • the proposed action is in line with the objectives of the Digital Single Market Strategy and the political priorities set out in the eGovernment Action Plan;

  • the proposed action is in line with the policy objectives of other relevant Commission services and the overall political priorities of the Commission;

  • in case financial resources are required, the capacity to mobilise them according to the internal rules and procedures,or according to the rules and procedures of relevant EU programmes

  • the proposed action is impactful and feasible;

  • the proposed action is within the competences of the EU.

Further criteria, which may be added by Member States in order to commit to a suggested action,  will be published here.