Public discussion entitled: „Promoting Digital Transformation at Local Level: Initiatives for Public Local Administration and Business Environment” was held on February 13^th, 2024. The regional public event brought together representatives of public authorities, business environment and development partners and was organized by the Institute for European Policies and Reforms (IPRE), in collaboration with GIZ Moldova, e-Governance Agency (EGA) and Innovation Centre “Inotek” in Cahul.

The agenda included discussions on the role of local public authorities in the digital transformation process, digital solutions and platforms developed by local authorities, as well as the use of digital solutions by business environment and funding opportunities for entrepreneurs. The following topics were addressed during the event:

- Role of local public authorities in the digital transformation process, focusing on the E-APL platform, CUPS and their importance in facilitating the delivery of digital services at the local level;

- Digital solutions and platforms developed by local authorities and local digital transformation projects supported by development partners;

- Use of digital solutions by business environment and their stakes for boosting business development, including funding opportunities for entrepreneurs

During the discussions in the two panels, Andrei Prisacar, Director of the e-Governance Agency referred to the importance of the development and proper functioning of the e-APL platform and the establishment of 200 more Unified Public Service Centres (CUPS) nationwide. So far, a network of more than 100 CUPSs has been created nationwide, providing more than 40 public services to citizens in rural localities throughout the country, and contributing to the process of digital information and education in communes and villages of the Republic of Moldova.

The EGA director also stated, “Another important project is the e-APL Platform, which contains three key elements: to ensure the accessibility of data in state registers for local authorities; digitisation of local public administration processes and decentralisation of powers to LPAs, which will bring public services closer to the people.”

Public discussions are held in the context of goals set out in the Public Administration Reform Strategy for 2023-2030, and Digital Transformation Strategy for 2024-2030, which aims to increase the number of digital public services provided by local public authorities and to increase access to these services by beneficiaries. This event marked a significant step towards promoting digital transformation at the local level and strengthening collaboration between public authorities, business environment and development partners in this crucial area for Moldova’s European future.

The public event “Promoting Digital Transformation at Local Level: Initiatives for Public Local Administration and Business Environment” was organized by IPRE, in partnership with the e-Governance Agency, with the joint support of the “Policy Advisory Fund” and “E-Governance and Digitalization in Eastern Partnership Countries” projects, funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and implemented by GIZ Moldova.

The event can be viewed in full here.