More than 300 representatives of central and local public authorities gathered in Chisinau to discuss local digitization, an essential element in the development of the economy and increasing the well-being of the population. The national conference “Local digitalization: innovation and easy access to e-services”, organized by the E-Governance Agency, aimed to highlight the digital transformation at the local level, the achievements of the Unified Centres for the Provision of Public Services (CUPS) created in all districts of the country, to present the e-APL portal - the portal of local public administration in the Republic of Moldova, and other digital news.

In the first part of the event, the discussions were focused on the achievements of over 100 CUPSs that in the two and a half years of activity have enabled citizens to access over 60 thousand public services available in digital format, which has contributed to saving a total of about 825 thousand lei.

In the context of facilitating access to electronic public services for citizens in Moldovan villages and bringing them closer to digital Governance solutions, Andrei Prisacar, director of EGA said, “Through the application of technology in Governance, we aim to simplify the delivery of public services in the interest of beneficiaries, optimize the work of public service providers, and these processes must be accompanied by the development of digital skills and adaptation to current technological trends, where they benefit people.  At the same time, digitization offers us huge opportunities to eliminate corruption and bureaucracy, encourage participatory democracy and increase the transparency of decision-making. We will only be able to overcome the problems by strengthening joint efforts and ensuring good collaboration between Governance institutions, experts in the field, development partners, non-Governance organizations, business, associations and other public and private institutions that promote technology and innovation”.

For their contribution to the adoption of e-services in rural areas, 18 CUPS specialists were awarded diplomas.

The creation and ensuring the functionality of the CUPS in localities took place with the support of the World Bank, within the framework of the project “Modernization of Governance Services”, and in this context, Inguna Dobraja, Country Director of the World Bank Group in the Republic of Moldova, present at the conference, underlined: “Access to public services in one place and the existence of local access points throughout the country contribute to saving time and reducing travel costs, giving people the opportunity to devote their time to other activities. I have been pleased to learn that many people, after having received initial assistance at CUPS, are managing to become independent users of e-services. I am also glad that CUPS makes life easier for the elderly, people with disabilities and members of ethnic minorities. The World Bank reaffirms its support for the digitization of Moldova and improving access to digital services at the local level. We will continue to support innovations and technologies, as they bring more transparency, increase access to public services, reduce delivery and administrative costs, and offer more efficient options for both public administration and citizens”.

The officials present at the event noted that the digitization process is a necessity for the Republic of Moldova in the process of economic development of the society.

Catalina Plinschi, Secretary of State, Ministry of Economic Development and Digitalization of the Republic of Moldova: “Digitalization is a process to which we all have to contribute and which, fortunately, knows no territorial or regional limits. Digitalization helps us to be more connected and aligned with the objectives of our country’s National and Development Strategy. When we talk about digitization, we are talking about the way that defines how we interact with the state, how we do business and how we make public administration more friendly, more efficient and more citizen-oriented. Let’s not forget that digitization is one of the most effective ways to fight corruption, which is a factor that affects citizens’ trust in our institutions”. 

Diana Chiriac, advisor to the Prime Minister on LPA: “Digitalization means public services close to citizens. According to the Local Public Administration Reform Strategy, we aim to have 300 Unified Public Service Delivery Centers in the country by 2030. I urge you to see the success and the satisfaction of the people in the localities where CUPSs are operating, to know that these digital tools in the localities help people a lot and develop the localities, to strive and make an effort together to open them in every locality. I urge you to see these centers as an opportunity to develop localities and the whole country. This is what we all want: a prosperous, developed, connected country, with citizens having public services available as close to them as possible”.

The official presentation of the Portal of Local Public Administration of the Republic of Moldova (e-APL) - a modern solution for efficient local governance - was also held during the conference. Local digitization through e-APL will help to reduce the costs of accessing and processing data, making it easier for citizens to obtain the necessary data and e-services through a single access point.

At the same time, during the event, the E-Governance Agency launched a new communication campaign entitled “Join the digitization hora!”. This message underlines the idea of unity, equality and collaboration, connecting the symbolic power of the hora with the digitization objectives of the campaign. It is a symbiosis between the traditional and the digital, the familiar and the new, but a motivating one that can inspire anyone to join our digital transformation efforts. For half a year, the public will be connected to a series of interactive, information-packed activities. This Communication Campaign will feature concrete examples demonstrating that anyone who wants to make their life easier with technology can do so, and that those who need help can get it for free, including through the Unified Centers for Public Service Delivery (called CUPS), which operate in over 100 rural localities in all districts of the country.

All related data and information can be found on the official website of the E-Governance Agency - egov.md.

Currently, the citizens of the Republic of Moldova can access 288 public services online, out of the 636 public services available on the Public Services Portal - servicii.gov.md. The event was organized with the financial support of the World Bank Group and served as a communication platform for mayors and specialists from over 100 municipalities where CUPS were created, representatives of central and local public authorities in the country, as well as external partners.