The solutions presented and experiences shared in the previous editions of these awards have inspired many others and contributed to the implementation of European eGovernment strategies and action plans. The European eGovernment Awards are presented on a biannual basis, coinciding with regular policy reviews undertaken at high-level EU eGovernment conferences.
The very purpose of these awards is to support the implementation of European eGovernment policy and action plans within the wider framework of Information Society policies and strategies (i2010) and the overall objectives of the Lisbon agenda to promote growth and jobs in the European Union. In this context, the awards play a major role in the European CommissionÂ’s good practice exchange initiative in the field of eGovernment.
The forthcoming Swedish Presidency of the EU and the European Commission will jointly organise the 5th European Ministerial Conference on eGovernment in Malmö, Sweden, from 19-20 November 2009.
As in the past four events held since 2001, the conference will bring together European commissioners, ministers and politicians responsible for eGovernment in Europe as well as directors, senior managers and practitioners from public administrations, the ICT industry, academia, and NGOs. They will all look towards the immediate future of European eGovernment policy, programmes and actions. More specifically, the conference will address the role of ICT in the public sector to improve the functioning of the single market, reinforce empowerment of citizens and businesses and increase the efficiency and effectiveness of public administrations.
The Exhibition at the conference will showcase good practices from across the EU Member States, EFTA and Candidate Countries to underpin progress made in implementing policy objectives. In all, 52 cases will be selected as Finalists for the European eGovernment Awards 2009 and invited to take part in the exhibition. Their contribution will be vital to the success of the conference, demonstrating achievements at the grass-roots level since the last review in 2007 and pointing to innovations and emerging challenges for which cooperation should be encouraged at the European level.
For further information, please visit:
http://www.epractice.eu/call2009