e-Governance Academy leads the European Union-supported project “Digital transformation for Ukraine” (DT4UA). With the aim to continue improving the efficiency and security of public service delivery and their access to citizens and businesses in Ukraine, provide rapid response to the needs caused by the war and empower daily governance. The EU is supporting developments with a total budget of € 17,4 million.
„Ukraine shows one of the most dynamic digital transformation processes worldwide – and this despite Russia’s full-scale war. Our duty is to help Ukraine ensure the continuous development of its digital services. They are essential during the war and will remain so during reconstruction. Therefore, European Union supports Ukraine in enhancing digital service provision and e-governance,” said Ambassador Matti Maasikas, Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Ukraine, said.
The project focuses on four priority areas: 1) the development of digital services and a services provision environment of ’Diia’, 2) the improvement of data exchange between registers and service providers, 3) the development of the eID infrastructure in line with the eIDAS regulation, 4) development of the e-Casemanagement system enabling a more efficient and transparent processing of criminal cases, including war crimes.
The project is implemented by the Estonian e-Governance Academy, which has 12 years of experience in cooperation with the Ukrainian public sector. The latest collaboration projects have been the EGOV4UKRAINE, EU4DigitalUA and EU Support to Strengthening cybersecurity in Ukraine. Currently, the e-Governance Academy is running four projects in Ukraine with a total budget of € 41 million. “Our team is excited to continue our joint efforts, with the European Union and the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine, of making Ukraine one of the most digitized societies in the world,” Hannes Astok, the Executive Director of the e-Governance Academy, said.
The beneficiary of the project is the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine.
“The Ministry’s team is building the most convenient digital state in the world by user experience. One of the main goals is to digitize 100% of government services. In three years, we have digitized the most popular and used government services, and the Diya application is already reaching the international level. In parallel with the launch of online services, we are working on improving data exchange between registries and mutual recognition of Ukrainian digital identity. Thank you, the European Union, for its support in these areas. Together we will be able to speed up the digital transformation of Ukraine,” Mykhailo Fedorov, Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Transformation of Ukraine noted.
Background information
The EU-supported project Digital transformation for Ukraine(DT4UA) lasts from November 2022 until April 2025. The objective of the project is to improve the efficiency and security of public service delivery and their access to citizens and businesses in Ukraine, in line with EU requirements, and provide rapid response to the needs caused by the war. The total budget is € 17 400 000. E-Governance Academy from Estonia (EGA) is the implementer of the project. The project DT4UA is built upon the achievements of the EGOV4UKRAINE and EU4DigitalUA projects.
Within the last projects, the eGA team has made data running, not people in Ukraine, by implementing Trembita, a secure data exchange system and Vulyk, an information system which helps local governments to provide public services for citizen faster and more conveniently. Also, the eGA team contributed to the development of public e-services and helped to ensure the safety and sustainability of Ukraine’s digital society. Together with the Ministry of Digital Transformation eGA team enhanced cyber skills and ensured the safety of public registers and databases.
The e-Governance Academy (eGA) is a centre of excellence to increase the prosperity and openness of societies through digital transformation. Active since 2002.
Suppose you have ever applied for Estonian e-Residency. In that case, your story often goes something like this: you found out about the program online or by word of mouth, put in your application, and then had to travel to the nearest embassy to pick up your identity card when it was ready. Sometimes these stories also involve international flights and matching availability for an appointment with different Estonian embassies around the world.
The reason for the visits is so that the Estonian government can capture biometric data, including fingerprints, on new e-residents, who will have access to the country’s ecosystem of digital services. This ensures that the issued cards carry a high level of trust and security. But e-Residency program developers say that they would like to leverage new technology, without compromising security, as part of the process to make accessing e-Residency more user-friendly, and are assessing different ways of capturing biometric data remotely to do so.
“It’s a question of time it takes from making an application to becoming an e-resident, or making an application to renew one’s e-Residency, to the time you get the card and it’s activated,” said Lauri Haav, Managing Director of the e-Residency program. “It has room for new efficient solutions.”
e-residents make the second-largest city in Estonia
Estonia introduced its e-Residency program in 2014, and currently, there are close to 100,000 people enrolled in the program. It allows holders of e-Residency to open and operate an EU business without being an Estonian resident. Holders of e-Residency get a springboard to the EU market, while their companies pay tax to the Estonian state for locally hired staff, and local service providers assist.
Haav took the helm of the program at a time it was embarking on an innovation program called e-Residency 2.0, the aims of which have been to increase its membership as well as to make it more secure and to improve the user experience for e-residents. As part of its goals to improve security around the program, e-Residency has worked extensively with the Estonian Police and Border Guard Board, which has collected more data on program applicants when they apply.
e-Residency remote biometric easing the pain of travelling
The program is now working with the Estonian Police and Border Guard Board on enabling remote capture of biometrics data. If an e-resident could verify their fingerprint data remotely in some way, Haav noted, it would make it less necessary to travel long distances. Not only does Estonia, a country of 1.3 million, have limitations to how many embassies it can operate worldwide, but some countries are also quite large, meaning that for Australians or Americans, for example, travelling across time zones to visit an embassy can be time-consuming.
“Even if you have an embassy in Canberra, it doesn’t help people on the other coast of Australia,” remarked Haav. “So this is what is driving this topic, how to get closer to the customer,” he said. “But everything has to be digital and still maintain the same trust level.”
Ideally, e-residents would be able to securely provide biometric data via a mobile application, reducing the requirement for a physical visit. This, however, is not so easy, as the processes for the issuance of Estonia’s digital ID card for e-residents have to be aligned with the EU’s Regulation on Electronic Identification and Trust Services (eIDAS). While some financial service providers use some biometric applications for facial recognition, the e-Residency program would like to include fingerprint data as well.
Remote and secure
The question, therefore, is how to capture fingerprints from e-residents securely and remotely and if that is even possible. Anna-Liisa Tampuu is a project manager in the Estonian Police and Border Guard Board’s Identity and Status Bureau. She has a background in security in the private sector and also founded SheTravel, a London platform that specialises in female travel security. In May 2022, she returned to Estonia to lead the innovation project connected with e-Residency.
“We are at the beginning phases of looking at remote identification and biometrics capture,” said Tampuu. Currently, Tampuu is looking into the capabilities of remote biometric capture technology, how the data can be collected, the quality of the capture and any challenges in implementing such a solution. She said that the market is evolving and that the pandemic triggered a general trend toward using applications that allow remote biometric data capture, both by governments and in finance.
Tampuu highlighted that it is important to consider and understand the various elements of remote contactless capture, as the wider industry is currently discussing opportunities and concerns involving security, new emerging threats, the quality of the capture, best practices and international standards. The latter is not yet fully developed for remote contactless capture and some of its modalities, she noted.
Tampuu also emphasised that remote contactless capture is “an exciting new opportunity” but said that it needs to be done carefully and right for the use case, considering the appropriate risk mitigation measures. “My role is to understand this dynamic, to get a picture of these fast-moving technologies, and how to leverage these technologies securely so we can utilize capturing biometrics remotely and put it in the program,” she said.
The ideal tool would be able to capture biometric data remotely but at a high level of security that is aligned with eIDAS and Estonian legislation. “It’s a puzzle being put together,” she said.
Remote card renewing
According to Haav, the e-Residency program will likely introduce remote biometric data capture one step at a time. While new e-residents will still need to visit either the Estonian police or an embassy to provide their fingerprints for the first time, those renewing their identity cards after five years might be able to skip the wait and do it remotely using remote biometrics data capture.
“If you are renewing a document, we already have your fingerprints,” said Haav. “All we want to see is if we can get a match again,” he said. “That gives us the safety that you are you.”
The earliest such a solution might become available is after several important steps. Once the Estonian Police and Border Guard Board concludes its assessments of different platforms, the issue will go to public tender, and it could take a year to develop and test an offering before it goes live. As such, the move to remote biometric data capture is not an idea but something that we are actively exploring and planning to test for its suitability for implementation.
“We are hoping to find a solution next year and start testing the pilot in 2024,” Haav confirmed.
Imagine a world where everything is just a click away… A world where you can access education, healthcare, and 99% of government services at the touch of a button. You don’t even have to imagine it. It’s a world that we’ve been building for years, and the pandemic has only accelerated our reliance on digital technology. But as we celebrate the benefits of digital transformation, we cannot forget the millions of people worldwide who remain wholly or partially excluded from the narrative.
The digital transformation of society is a global phenomenon, with digital services, tools, and resources becoming increasingly accessible to more people. Still, the digital divide persists, and many groups of people are excluded from the narrative. The World Bank’s 2022 GovTech Maturity Index (GMTI) Update notes that “despite progress in online service delivery and underlying shared platforms, the digital divide widens.”
Even though the level of disconnect does differ from country to country, region to region, and continent to continent, not even the digital transformation giant nations have been able to achieve true digital inclusion. From the e-Governance Academy (e-GA), Kristina Reinsalu, Programme Director of e-Democracy, Randel Länts, Senior Expert on e-Democracy, and Kristi Kivilo, Senior Expert on Smart Governance, share insights on the digital divide and ways to enable a more inclusive digital society.
The state of digital inclusion in Estonia
According to Kristina, smart decisions such as Tiger Leap early on in Estonia’s digital transformation journey helped to avoid the classic digital divide where economic status and similar social strata allow digital access only for the select. Even the mere existence of the “Digital Divide In Estonia and How to Bridge It,” a detailed report published by Emor and PRAXIS Center for Policy Studies as early as 2002, hints at this.
Today, not only do most young people have superb digital skills, which has spurred the startup wave among others, but even the elderly population are active users of diverse digital solutions. However, Kristina goes on to note that even though Estonia, for the most part, is excluded from the typical digital divide, there is still a divide based on where people live, creating a “lottery” system when it comes to digital engagement and participation.
Randel adds that this uneven access to digital resources is further exacerbated by the pandemic and the resulting lockdowns. Those who had access to digital tools and resources had a significant advantage than those who didn’t. And not just in Estonia but all around the world. For instance, millions of school kids worldwide were put out of school for months during the pandemic due to the unavailability of online teaching/learning resources. UNICEF calls the impact “nearly insurmountable.”
Implications of this gap
Kristina highlights that the gap is even wider for people with disabilities. “For them, it gets more complex because they are not only restricted in terms of access to the typical e-services, which are accessible to everyone, but they also face physical obstacles and barriers due to the general lack of accessibility in private and public spaces and facilities,” she points out. “This should not be so!” she says emphatically.
Meanwhile, the digital divide has far-reaching implications on society, from impacting citizen engagement to economic growth and social equity. For example, those with access to digital resources take advantage of them and enjoy greater economic opportunities in the short and long run, while those without access are left behind.
At the same time, the digital divide also leads to social inequality. Those without access to digital services are typically excluded from participating in meaningful conversations, which in turn affects the overall development of a nation. Likewise, it heightens digital vices such as bias in AI because while the computer is not inherently biased, the humans and the data behind it can be.
What does it take to bridge the gap of digital inclusion?
Understanding the why
Kristi notes that service design is at the root of enabling digital inclusion, and at the initial stage, it starts with understanding the “why.” Why is digital inclusion important? How does intentional and non-intentional exclusion affect these minorities and vulnerable groups? What is the impact of their exclusion on society?
She said, “take the needs of people with disabilities as an example; understanding why accessibility features are crucial for them will make implementing these features a priority.” Kristina also notes the importance of paying attention to new digitally vulnerable groups as they emerge as part of understanding the why. This helps prevent the gap from widening.
Involving all in the service design process
Kristina highlights that understanding the why is just as important as engaging with these groups of people directly and involving them in the process of designing, developing and implementing whatever service or solution. “It is crucial to engage directly because they can, better than anybody else, really map the problems or signals, define problems and set the motion for solutions,” she says.
She notes that this is one of the reasons why digital engagement and people participation are crucial within the state. Kristi adds that when designing services, the needs of all members of society have to be considered, including people with disabilities and those in rural areas, among others. She continues that “none should be left out.”
Think like the private sector, engage like the public
Kristi points out that the private sector is always one step ahead because it aims to thoroughly understand the client’s needs first and then tailor their products and services accordingly. This is in addition to the need for competitiveness in order to stay ahead, which is quite different from how governments operate.
She gives the example of how physical spaces like libraries have been one of the biggest drivers of digital literacy for the elderly in Estonia. In contrast, young people are more inclined to use digital devices so they don’t have to move an inch. She stresses the need for governments to think like private firms, understand the needs of the people like they are private clients, and only then get started with solution framing.
The place of people empowerment
Randel points out that the global digital gap seems to be gradually shrinking, at least in some way. He notes that this is due to the increasing popularity of digital tools among the younger generation, which makes it easier for more people to access the internet. Speaking again on the broader perspective, he highlights that what government can do is enable this already ongoing shrink.
“If there is a will to transform into a digital society, aspects such as training to provide digital skills are already a must. So, if you would like to emphasise inclusiveness, also target the marginalised and vulnerable groups. Provide the necessary resources and enable them to use digital tools,” he says. And, of course, Estonia remains active in the skilling and upskilling of its citizens through diverse initiatives.
It starts with the public sector employees
Kristi highlights that it is also vital to equip public servants with the necessary skills and education to create inclusive digital services. According to her, service providers in the public sector should be educated on the minority and marginalised groups and their needs so that they can design services that are more inclusive and accessible.
“For instance, the Web Content Accessibility Guides, which detail the criteria for digital solutions and content creators to develop websites, apps, and other digital assets to be accessible to people with various disabilities, including physical, intellectual, sensory, intellectual, and learning disabilities, has been in place for a while now. But not all government officials or public service designers may know about it. So, it is important for governments to provide learning possibilities for public servants,” she explains.
She points out that Estonia has a Digital Academy called Digiriigi Akadeemia put in place to upskill public sector workers. She notes that since the workers and officials already have good digital literacy skills, the academy covers more advanced topics and concepts on digital transformation, which includes a course on accessibility and digital solutions. Notably, she led the project of creating the academy.
Not a buzzword
Digital inclusion, or the lack of it, is not a buzzword. It represents real people, real lives, real limitations, and real opportunities lost, making it a critical issue which demands attention. To create a more equitable, connected, and inclusive society, we need to ensure that everyone can benefit from digital technology. We need to remove the barriers that prevent people from accessing digital services and ensure that everyone has the skills, knowledge, and tools to use them effectively.
However, digital inclusion is not just about providing access to technology. It’s about collective empowerment and giving all a voice in this digital age. By prioritising digital inclusion, we can create a world where everyone has the opportunity to thrive, regardless of their ability, background, or location. At this juncture, a crucial mention is the role public-private sector partnership can play in shrinking the gap and enabling inclusion.
The “Test in Tallinn” initiative was launched to welcome companies around the world to test their smart solutions on the streets of Tallinn in three focus areas: mobility, energy efficiency and renewable energy.
European Green Capital 2023 Tallinnand Estonia already have a positive image both in terms of the ease of doing business, the creation and growth environment for start-up companies and digital society in general. “The strength of Tallinn is our smallness, flexibility, and the technological openness of society. Today we will proactively launch our city as a test platform for both international and domestic companies,” said the Mayor of Tallinn Mihhail Kõlvart.
Solving the urban challenge is crucial to reach global climate goals, and cities have a key role to play in the transition to a low-carbon economy. Tallinn invites anyone around the world to come and build or try out their ground-breaking new ideas, prototypes, or products.
The city’s partner in the Test in Tallinn initiative is Tehnopol Science and Business Park. Indrek Orav, the CEO, said that they offer the companies all-round support to operate while in Tallinn. “Tehnopol’s indisputable strength is that we offer a company a complete system supporting its development. We offer business-promoting advice from top mentors from Estonia and abroad, and a very good environment for testing, as well as an office space that suits your company’s needs on our campus. All companies operating in our campus know that innovation is born here, and it’s OK if things don’t work perfectly right away because mistakes are the basis of innovation,” said Orav.
With Test in Tallinn, the capital of Estonia, has taken on the ambition to make the city an attractive business environment where various sustainable technologies can be tested to help both domestic and foreign companies to reach other urban environments globally with their products and services.
The city has chosen the main test areas as the areas with the greatest impact and legislative readiness and where today’s cooperation between the city and local entrepreneurs has been the most effective: mobility, energy efficiency and renewable energy.
The city allows tests on a case-by-case basis. After analysing and validating the proposal with city officials and experts, our ways of participating in the implementation of tests include e.g. assigning the right location or service unit for the tests and involving city professionals, staff and/or customer groups (if needed) in the test.
Find out more about the Test in Tallinn initiative, how to submit the test proposal and details of the process, visit www.tallinnovation/testintallinn
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