Event
Peer Review Event in Latvia
31 May - 02 Jun 2021
09 : 00 - 13 : 00 CEST
In person
|
Rīga,
Latvia
From 31 May to 2 June 2021, the activities of the DigiBEST project Peer Review continued - this time from the leading partner country - Latvia. In order to further study the situation of Latvia in the Digital Transformation of SMEs and to provide in-depth experience and recommendations on how to improve digital transformation policies for SMEs, the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development (Ministry) organized two-day interviews and discussions with Latvian stakeholders - digital policy makers and implementers.
Two experts from Norway and Austria tried to find out the real situation in a very impressive way, conducting in-depth research and making independent conclusions and proposals on the following issues of the ministry, their potential inclusion in the Latvian Business Digital Regional Roadmap and Action Plan:
• Raising awareness among entrepreneurs of the benefits of using ICT solutions in business.
• Improving the availability of information on the support instruments and programs offered by the government.
• Avoiding information fragmentation.
• Development of entrepreneurial competencies and corporate environment.
• Integrating digital transformation and cybersecurity issues into business support initiatives.
• Promoting public administration cooperation with entrepreneurs and NGOs by planning and implementing national digital policy initiatives and developing national ICT solutions for entrepreneurs.
• Improvement of Latvian DESI 2020 indicators for at least the Human capital and Integration of digital technology DESI indicators.
During Peer Review Final event on the third day, experts concluded – good range of activities in Latvia already underway to support the adoption of basic digital skills within companies, Latvia has comprehensive approach to digital skills development at a whole of community level. Responsibilities are clearly defined and strategies at the national level are well articulated. Representatives from Austria and Norway observed a good potential for Digital Innovation Hubs as a mechanism for coordinating the digitalization work. Meanwhile consortiums appear to bring together a variety of actors - technology providers, industry partners in other sectors, universities, and state actors.
Experts suggested to consider a stronger role for private consultants to increase capacity and continuity in the digital transformation process. And to create a clearer and more substantial role for regional actors within digitalization and skills development.
Currently experts are preparing a full Peer Review Report, which will include variety of recommendations to include in the Latvian Business Digital Regional Roadmap and Action Plan.
Two experts from Norway and Austria tried to find out the real situation in a very impressive way, conducting in-depth research and making independent conclusions and proposals on the following issues of the ministry, their potential inclusion in the Latvian Business Digital Regional Roadmap and Action Plan:
• Raising awareness among entrepreneurs of the benefits of using ICT solutions in business.
• Improving the availability of information on the support instruments and programs offered by the government.
• Avoiding information fragmentation.
• Development of entrepreneurial competencies and corporate environment.
• Integrating digital transformation and cybersecurity issues into business support initiatives.
• Promoting public administration cooperation with entrepreneurs and NGOs by planning and implementing national digital policy initiatives and developing national ICT solutions for entrepreneurs.
• Improvement of Latvian DESI 2020 indicators for at least the Human capital and Integration of digital technology DESI indicators.
During Peer Review Final event on the third day, experts concluded – good range of activities in Latvia already underway to support the adoption of basic digital skills within companies, Latvia has comprehensive approach to digital skills development at a whole of community level. Responsibilities are clearly defined and strategies at the national level are well articulated. Representatives from Austria and Norway observed a good potential for Digital Innovation Hubs as a mechanism for coordinating the digitalization work. Meanwhile consortiums appear to bring together a variety of actors - technology providers, industry partners in other sectors, universities, and state actors.
Experts suggested to consider a stronger role for private consultants to increase capacity and continuity in the digital transformation process. And to create a clearer and more substantial role for regional actors within digitalization and skills development.
Currently experts are preparing a full Peer Review Report, which will include variety of recommendations to include in the Latvian Business Digital Regional Roadmap and Action Plan.