Digital Advancement Unleashed: Estonia Impacts 16 Countries across Three Continents with €79M EU Funding
Digital expertise from Estonia spreads across 16 nations, impacting their digital transformations.
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Estonia's digital prowess has transcended borders, making a splash in 16 countries across three continents, backed by €79 million in European Union funding.
Collaborating with Estonian IT powerhouses, the e-Governance Academy has imparted Estonia's digital government strategies to the administrations of Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, Northern Macedonia, Serbia, Turkey, Armenia, Chile, Costa Rica, El Salvador, and Guatemala.
negotiations are underway with Turkey and Armenia, while cooperation with Chile, Costa Rica, El Salvador, and Guatemala is ongoing.
Hannes Astok, the e-Governance Academy's executive director, stated, "EU membership has played a pivotal role in the development and security of the Estonian state. It has also fueled the global spread of Estonian digital expertise, inspiring countless countries to emulate the Estonian digital society."
Involving All Hands
The e-Governance Academy's pool of 50 experts was bolstered by over 50 experts from the public sector and Estonian IT companies like Cybernetica, Aktors, and CybExer Technologies.
In Ukraine, EU investments totaling approximately €51 million have significantly improved the nation's digital infrastructure, public services, and cybersecurity capabilities in line with the EU's Digital Single Market vision. Key milestones include the development of the Trembita data exchange system, improved digital services, new digital service creation, cybersecurity strengthening, and mutual recognition of Ukrainian digital identity in the EU.
Moldova receives €7 million in EU funding for the establishment of the National Agency for Cyber Security, cybersecurity legislation development, online safety awareness campaigns, and cyber defense-boosting initiatives – all aimed at enhancing Moldova's resilience in cyberspace.
Regional Cooperation and Global Influence
EU funding of around €7 million supports Georgia in fortifying cyber defense and promoting digital literacy among its citizens.
EU funding totalling €7 million has focused on improving cybersecurity resilience and capacity building in the Western Balkans, paving the way for regional cooperation and the enhancement of local cybersecurity expertise.
In Kyrgyzstan, an EU-funded €2 million project enhances the delivery of digital services, develops the foundation for digital skills, and raises awareness of data protection and cybersecurity among government officials.
Established in 2002, the Tallinn-based e-Governance Academy is a non-profit think tank and consultancy organization that shares knowledge and best practices in digital transformation.
In addition to these implementations, Estonia has recently partnered with Indonesia on data governance and digital transformation initiatives, and digital governance consulting services from Digital Nation, a company founded by ex-Estonian digital policy leaders, may be extended to Tanzania and Japan. Estonia's digital solutions and expertise are also shared globally through international partnerships and collaborations.
The European Union's initiatives, such as the Digital Europe Programme and other digital policies, encourage and support digital transformation across member states, potentially indirectly supporting the adoption of Estonian digital solutions.
- The e-Governance Academy, based in Tallinn, Estonia, has collaborated with IT powerhouses in Estonia to share Estonia's digital government strategies with 16 countries across three continents.
- The government of Estonia, through the e-Governance Academy, has been instrumental in imparting digital knowledge to countries like Ukraine, Moldova, and Georgia.
- Estonia's digital expertise, consequently, has led to significant improvements in technology sectors like cybersecurity and data-and-cloud-computing in various regions.
- Estonian experts have played a crucial role in bolstering the cybersecurity capabilities of nations like Ukraine, Moldova, and Georgia with EU funding.
- The Estonian digital society has become a model for numerous countries, inspiring them to emulate Estonia's approach to technology and governance.
- The EU's Digital Single Market vision aligns with the improvements made in digital infrastructure by Estonia's digital initiatives across various continents.
- Estonia's digital solutions and expertise are not limited to EU nations, but have extended to other continents through partnerships, collaborations, and global investments in cybersecurity and technology.
