Serbia's new GovTech program acts as a matchmaker to facilitate the supply and demand for innovation in the public sector, Marta Arsovska Tomvska, Director of Digitalization at the Prime Minister's Office, told GovInsider.
“Serbia's approach is distinctive in that it actively bridges the gap between the creation of innovative solutions and their actual implementation in public services,” says Tomvska.
In 2022, Serbia became one of only two European countries to move from “high” to “very high” rating for domestic e-government development. United Nations e-government surveythe report focuses on improving digital service delivery.
The country is currently implementing a new GovTech program that connects public sector challenges with private sector solutions.
Supply and demand: leveraging private sector innovation to solve public challenges
Tomvska emphasizes the importance of a “symbiotic relationship between public entities and private sector innovation” as the key to enabling Serbia's government technology ecosystem.
As a link between public sector needs and startup innovation, Serbian GovTech seeks to overcome traditional procurement barriers faced by the public sector, such as strict public procurement standards that hinder the adoption of private sector and startup solutions. . We also train civil servants to better understand new technologies.
To instill an agile mindset in the public sector, civil servants need to understand the benefits and applications of new technologies, she added.
“Civil servants familiar with disruptive technologies have become invaluable in identifying challenges for technology-based solutions.”
And when governments take the lead in fostering a robust innovation ecosystem for government tech, startups can more effectively respond to challenges facing the public sector.
“It is essential to create an enabling environment for start-ups to introduce their solutions into the public sector. It is important not only to provide an important test bed for start-ups, but also to support their integration into public services,” she said. explains.
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Three phases to build a strong innovation ecosystem
The first phase of Serbia's GovTech program focuses on creating public sector demand through training and capacity building.
“These bespoke, interactive trainings have enabled over 100,000 civil servants to learn about new technologies such as AI, blockchain, IoT, robots, drones, 3D printing, VR or AR, the platform economy, and digital transformation and innovation in general. in the public sector. ”
With a deeper understanding of these technologies, civil servants will be better equipped to propose an impactful agenda to Serbia's GovTech program, Tomvska added.
In the second phase, public sector bodies will be asked to submit challenges that can be solved through the application of emerging technologies, and in the third phase, industry, start-ups and researchers will be asked to propose solutions.
The government has committed RS$150 million (US$1.39 million) to fund proposals over a six- to 12-month lifecycle, ranging from developing prototypes, conducting pilots, and implementing solutions in the public sector. ) allocated a budget.
Tomvska said that out of 54 proposals submitted this year by public sector bodies, including ministries, government agencies, local authorities and public enterprises, 24 were selected for this year's call for proposals, which began in February. said.
47 startups and R&D institutions are developing technology solutions ranging from computer vision and 3D printing for healthcare, AI to decision-making and solving complex problems such as flooding and waste management, digital twins and utilities. I am proposing it.
The team is currently evaluating candidates to determine which projects will receive funding.
Collaborate to adapt to evolving needs
He said Serbia's digital government is not just a matter of technology, but a culture of continuous improvement and adaptation as the world rapidly evolves. Tomhuska.
“Fostering an ecosystem where civil servants and technology startups work together increases the demand for new solutions and the supply of cutting-edge technology applications,” she explains, adding that a core focus on collaboration We are guided by our values and commitment to improving the user experience. GovTech in Serbia.
Over the next 5-10 years, Serbian GovTech aims to release dedicated calls for innovations such as AI GovTech.
“AI is fundamental to our plans to modernize government services, making them more efficient and better responsive to the needs of the public. We are also exploring innovative applications of AI. We are also working on
“Proposed applications include flood forecasting, AI for early detection of disease, personalized braces for broken bones, smart irrigation to improve yields, AI to connect unemployed people with employers, cultural heritage and preservation,” she says.
hosted by Serbia Belgrade Specialty Expo 2027, the first ever World Expo to be held in the Western Balkans. Specialty expos are global events designed to address precise challenges facing humanity.
According to Tomvska, plans are currently underway to hold an EXPOtech call to give Serbian startups more opportunities to showcase their cutting-edge technologies on the world stage.
