Technology has been an unexpected ally of citizens during the pandemic. Unexpected because the Greek state had not accustomed its citizens to coordinated digital reforms and an ally because the new digital capabilities facilitated in an ideal way the main aim of processing cases in relation to the State without the need for physical presence.
The reforms achieved were of critical importance. The ability to work remotely for civil servants and public officials, the interoperability and interconnection of systems and registers, distance learning, the pilot operation of MyConsulLive.gov.gr for providing digital services via video call to Greek citizens permanently residing abroad by the local Consular Offices of Embassies, and the provision of digital services to citizens by Customer Service Centres (KEP) through the KEP live service constitute a bundle of upgraded services that citizens, businesses and even the Public Administration itself can enjoy easily, quickly and safely.
In the difficult conditions that we all experienced, Information Society lived up to its position as the main executive “arm” of the Ministry of Digital Governance, with focused actions to support the public administration, which resulted in the improvement of the services provided by the State to citizens and businesses. Thanks to the tireless efforts of all its employees and partners, Information Society succeeded not only in completing the projects assigned to it, but also in significantly increasing the portfolio of ICT projects under its management, concluding new Programme Agreements with Public Bodies for the implementation of IT and telecommunications projects almost on a daily basis.
The contribution of Information Society S.M.S.A. was also decisive in the unprecedented National Operational Vaccination Plan against COVID-19 entitled “Eleftheria”, which is carried out with extreme precision and is the result of a fully digital and, primarily, fully functional design. Information Society supported through its know-how all the necessary procedures in order to achieve the timely development of the necessary software, which is used to monitor the supply chain of the vaccines intended for the treatment of the coronavirus in Greece.
At present, it manages 158 public works contracts in various stages of maturity, with a budget of approximately €2.2 billion, as well as state aid actions with a budget exceeding €300 million. Projects that ensure better and safer public administration, strengthening of entrepreneurship, optimization of citizen service, more transparency and a better functioning state.
Projects such as the Teleconferencing services in courts and penitentiary establishments and provision of information on the progress of the case lists and exhibits of the courts (Electronic Case List), the Information System for the Licensing of RES Projects (PSAPE), the Redesign, Simplification & Modelling of the workflow of the National Printing House, the Integrated Information System for the management and monitoring of PPP projects, the Reform of the Financial System in the Central Administration and the rest of the General Government (gov-ERP) and many more.
However, the pandemic created also a great opportunity for our country. Now, in addition to the traditional funding tools, such as the Public Investment Programme (PIP), the NSRF and the European programmes, a new source of funding has emerged, the Recovery Fund. Undoubtedly, this is a unique opportunity for the structural change of the institutional background of public administration, and achieving this will significantly boost the development of the national economy and the well-being of society. It places particular emphasis on digital transition, with the latter constituting more than 20% of the total package granted by the Recovery Fund.
Information Society will be called upon to implement a large part of the state’s digital transformation projects. It is certain that the proper management of the Recovery Fund’s resources requires a new approach to the life cycle of Information Technology and Communications (ICT) projects, as well as drastic improvements in the implementation mechanisms. In order to achieve results, we need to go above and beyond, adopt new practices and be ready for radical changes, both on the side of the State and on the side of the market and businesses.
For this reason, we collaborate daily with the Ministry of Digital Governance and we will make a joint effort to make the most of this new funding opportunity for the benefit of society, businesses and, of course, the Public Administration.
Our goal at Information Society is to contribute through our know-how, so that the results we need to achieve as a country in the context of the new digital reality will be immediate and clearly visible to citizens.
Technology as a “medicine” during the pandemic (powergame.gr)
