PNRR and the digital transformation of public institutions: What this could mean for the future of Romania

Opinion by Andrei Mihai Craciun, Head of Digital transformation and Data analysis, West University of Timisoara‍

The relevant digital transformation of public services and the institutions that manage these services has been an inevitable opportunity for some time. This opportunity must be addressed competently, coherently and interconnected, for the entire set of public institutions in Romania. Assumed by the Romanian Government and the European Commission, Romania’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) is designed to ensure an optimal balance between the European Union’s priorities and Romania’s development needs, in the context of the recovery from the COVID-19 crisis that significantly affected the country as a whole.

The endorsers of public sector digital transformation see it as a way to remove some of the friction in government services by enabling citizens to interact easier with them. Many others view it with mistrust, arguing that it creates an unnecessary layer of bureaucracy, unforeseen control and privacy risks. Regardless of everyone’s views, the implementation of specific measures and tools that can facilitate real transformation is an important factor in the evolution of the public sector services and valuable relations between institutions and the general public.

The value of interconnected data in the public sector

Public sector data sets are a useful resource that remains underused in Romania. In fact, in many countries, less than half of all government data is properly utilized by decision makers. The public sector should have structured and interconnected databases that can be used to improve services, to reduce costs but specially to develop new opportunities, encourage significant investment in education, emerging technology and more importantly, in society as a whole.

Used correctly in a normalized and coherent form for example, health records can help identify members of the community who are at high risk of contracting certain diseases and can actually play a key role in improving the quality of their life.

Consistent data doubled by systemic measures used in the education sector can clearly lead to increased access to education for young people in any level of education. Doubled by the contributions of the private environment, emerging professions can be anticipated and even developed in full coordination with the economic environment.

These are just two types of data sets that have the potential to improve the ability of public authorities to respond faster to the needs of society. However, the value of these datasets is often limited due to the failure to capitalize on them securely and effectively.

To identify priority areas for transformation

It is rare to be able to identify with a crystal ball from a single perspective, political and/or business wide in this case, the right requirements, means and tools to generate real transformation for the public good. This benefit can only be relevant if it is the result of a collaboration between the beneficiaries and users of these services, experts (be they citizens or private sector) and government relevant stakeholders!

A better future for the society is and always will be a joined adventure, one in which all the stakeholders are actively involved from the first step, establishing common goals, milestones and defining tools.

It is important to be aware that not all public sector institutions will have the capacity to transform their business quickly and efficiently, according to needs. This is the reality that we need to be aware of if we are to be honest about the expected results. Any initiative in this regard needs an adaptive approach but focused on reality.

Ensuring security and confidentiality

There is often a misunderstood line between security and privacy. Both have an important role to play that should not be underestimated or underexposed, they’re equally important to both sides.

In an uncertain period, in which supply chains are disrupted by dark and unpredictable ambitions, data can become active and unpredictable stakeholder. Insufficient security and / or improper handling of sensitive data can have serious implications for the viability of a secure digital future.

Collaboration and performance are a key priority towards public benefits, with zero sum game at its core!

A coherent and integrated digital infrastructure at the level of the Romanian public administration that would offer high quality digital services to both citizens and companies is the main purpose of PNRR. By achieving this goal, the conditions are created for the adoption of digital technologies in all sectors and fields of activity of state institutions and for increasing the number of citizens and companies that will be able to benefit and take advantage of the opportunities offered by the digital era we are currently shaping.

In order to get that zero-sum game, Romania must address the needs of citizens, the potential of the business environment, ensuring open opportunities for society, aligning with European values. This should contribute to increasing the transparency of the work of state authorities and reducing bureaucratic barriers, while also contributing to the achievement of sustainable development goals.

Institutions should not simply embrace digital transformation as a policy initiative, but rather use data to drive positive change. It is essential that digital transformation is collaborative. This means that institutions should not only involve citizens and stakeholders in the transformation process, but should ensure that there is transparency and accountability in the transformation process.

Conclusion

PNRR certainly faces a number of challenges and benchmarks that need to be aligned both inter-institutionally and societally, but it can have a profound and constructive impact. Getting the right stakeholders early involved, building and crossing milestones in a transparent and collaborative manner will teach us a lot but also could bring the public services towards a better future. This could very well be the successful story for the Journal of an EU successful leap of faith.