Digital Government
Elevator Pitch
Problem
Inconsistent, fragmented, and costly digital services hinder government efficiency and frustrate citizens and businesses.
Governments try to reinvent the wheel when developing digital services.
Governments try to reinvent the wheel when developing digital services.
Solution
- GovStack proposes an open network solution to this problem, incorporating both open-source code and specifications, and the interoperability of standarised ‘building blocks”. This reusable, interoperable "building blocks" approach for digital services, are akin to Lego bricks for the government digital world. The results is seamless connected government systems and greater competition and innovation.
Big Wins
- Cut development and maintenance expenses for digital services by reusing building blocks and avoiding vendor lock-in.
- Government systems connect seamlessly to other government services. Thus reducing data silos and providing an integrated experience to citizens.
- Faster development and deployment of digital services to more responsive to citizens.
- Improved citizen and business experience through easier access and interaction and building increased transparency and trust.
Implementation :
Milestones
- GovStack is a global network led by Germany, Estonia, the International Communications Union and the Digital Impact Alliance, starting in 2020. This happened at the time of the pandemic that put in evidence the importance of digital solutions.
- Network Creation: An open-source community quickly formed, attracting a diverse range of stakeholders.
- Key role was the development of technical specifications for digital government building blocks, which allowed for evaluating products and inclusion in the Catalog of Digital Solutions. 110 tests for products’ compliance with specifications across 7 building blocks (2023).
- First draft of building block specifications for Payments, Identity and Verification, Registration, Digital Registries, Information Mediator, and Security (2022-23) : 12 building blocks, 14 reference use cases and 3 guidelines published as 'GovStack Implementation Playbook'.
- The E-Marketplace building block was developed, leveraging the open Beckn Protocol.
- Version 1.0 of GovStack Framework with building blocks and associated core use and workflows were implemented in 2023.
- Communities of practice were developed.
- DIGIT from the e-Governments Foundation has created a world-leading modular (adaptable) open source platform designed to improve service delivery and governance in local governments. DIGIT acts as a one stop shop for citizens.
Challenges
- Governments in middle- and low-income countries often do not have incentives to introduce digital innovations.
- Maintaining and updating GovStack building blocks is resource intensive.
- There is potential for misuse and it results in more digital projects with zero impact.
Next Steps
- Amplify and evangelise the GovStack framework, for adoption and adaptation.
- Country use cases experiences, through collaboration with various stakeholders.
NETWORK GOVERNANCE :
Governance
- Open-source model: The code and specifications are freely available on GitHub, fostering transparency and collaboration. The E-Marketplace building block API specification has been adapted from Beckn protocol APIs and schema. Beckn Protocol is open-source and available to all implementers globally.
- Governance includes the Governance Committee (representatives of the founding partners) supported by Product and Technical Committee.
- The advisory board counsels on strategic direction. Building block working groups and country communities collaborate and share experiences, thus enabling efficient and citizen-centric digital services development.
Source: Preliminary research carried out by Cambridge University, JBS. Please note that use cases are evolving.
