The first meeting of the Innovation Group, which was established and formed in order to support the General Secretariat of Public Administration in the formulation of the National Action Plan for Innovation in the Public Sector, took place on Friday, November 3 2023, at the premises of the European Digital Innovation Hub (EDIH) Health Hub, within the JOIST Innovation Park, in Larissa.
The Innovation Group, consisted of representatives of the Ministries of the Interior, Digital Governance and Development and Investments, the Central Union of Municipalities, the Union of Regions and the newly established European Digital Innovation Hubs, met in the presence of the General Secretary of Public Administration of the Ministry of Interior Dimitris Kirmikiroglou. The main objective of the meeting was the coordination and promotion of cooperation between the above bodies for the implementation of the policy framework of the Innovation System in the Public Sector, as established by Law 5027/2023.
The Innovation Group focused on the challenges and planning of its work to draw up the first National Action Plan for Innovation in the Public Sector.
In particular, the representatives discussed the following issues:
• The role of European Digital Innovation Hubs in the public sector innovation ecosystem,
• The presentation of the provisions of Law 5027/2023, “Introduction of the Innovation System in the public sector…” and the next steps for its implementation,
• The process of producing innovation in the public sector and supporting civil servants in their work by forming a toolbox for innovation,
• The implementation of the Acceleration Programs in the Innovation System of the public sector for the development of public services,
• The integration of the institution of innovation laboratories in the operation of the public sector for the development of the skills of public servants and the improvement of the flow of information and the generated knowledge in public bodies,
• The next steps for the organization of the first Innovation Forum and the National Competition of Prototypes and Innovation, which are planned to be held in the next period under the auspices of the Ministry of Interior
Closing the meeting, the General Secretary of Public Administration, Mr. Dimitris Kirmikiroglou, expressed his confidence in the newly established Group, saying: “I believe that this Innovation Group will soon bring results and encourage civil servants to innovate, in a way that will be perceived by citizens. Public Administration can change and inspire its people, focusing on the open and collaborative dimension of innovation so that citizens enjoy the greatest possible benefits.”