The final webinar of the GovTech Connect project highlighted the key achievements and lessons learned over the last two years. This initiative of the European Commission, was delivered by a diverse consortium, including Intellera Consulting, the Lisbon Council, Public, and Politecnico di Milano, aiming to foster collaboration and innovation within the European GovTech ecosystem.

The project focused on creating a community of startups, public sector representatives, policymakers, and experts. These included research and foresight studies, Boot camps for startups, and Design Thinking methodologies.

Key Research Findings:

• Procurement processes must be transparent and flexible.
• Interoperability is crucial for scaling GovTech solutions.
• Ongoing training and co-creation efforts are essential for successful implementation.

Boot Camps and Startups: Startups received support in navigating public sector challenges, including procurement, investment, and designing citizen-centered solutions. The Boot camps, held across Europe, included masterclasses and pitch sessions, connecting startups with key stakeholders and investors.

Design Thinking and Innovation: The project emphasized a citizen-centric approach, encouraging startups to engage with stakeholders, prototype, and iterate solutions. A portfolio of over 20 design thinking tools was developed, available online for future use.

Community Building: Efforts were made to engage the GovTech community through various platforms and events. In-person meetings and peer learning were recognized as key to driving innovation and collaboration among stakeholders.

Looking ahead, the project aims to continue its work with a focus on sustaining community engagement through annual events, regional meetings, and active communication on platforms like LinkedIn. 

This webinar offers an essential look into the GovTech Connect project's impact and provides a roadmap for future digital governance initiatives across Europe, have a look at the recording below!