The recent Roadshow in the Netherlands, co-organised by the European Commission (EC) and the Dutch Ministry of Interior, provided an inspiring two-day journey through the evolving landscape of digital government. Bringing together national authorities, experts, and EU representatives, the event focused on mutual learning and cooperation in the field of digital transformation and interoperability. The event was structured around two key objectives: learning from the Dutch approach on Day 1, and highlighting EU-level initiatives and sparking interactive discussions on Day 2.
The Roadshow report
The Report summarises the main takeaways of the Roadshow, structured in two days:
- Day 1: Learning from the Dutch experience
- Day 2: Interactive sessions showcasing EU Initiatives
Day 1: Learning from the Dutch experience
The first day of the Roadshow took place in a highly collaborative atmosphere, designed to provide an in-depth look into the Netherlands’ approach to digital government, interoperability, and data exchange across administrations.
After the opening and welcome remarks presented by Lindy van de Westelaken, Head of the Core Infrastructure Unit at the Digital Government Department, Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations and Leontina Sandu, Head of the Interoperability and Digital Government Unit at the EC’s Directorate-General for Digital Services (DG DIGIT – B2), the day started with a joint session on EU Digital Regulations and Synergies, and Dutch Digital Government Law that set the scene for the Roadshow, emphasising the importance of continuous dialogue between national and European stakeholders to implement interoperable public services.
The round table discussion offered insights from Dutch stakeholders on the implementation of the Single Digital Gateway (SDG) and the Once-Only Technical System (OOTS) in the country. Participants reflected on both progress and remaining challenges in aligning national efforts with EU requirements. The Dutch experience stood out for its pragmatic, but forward-looking strategy, grounded in citizen-centric digital services and strong cross-institutional cooperation.
Another central moment was the presentation from the team working on the Inter-Administrative Data Strategy (IBDS). The Dutch approach to managing and exchanging data between public administrations was presented as an example of how robust national frameworks can contribute to European-wide goals in a tangible way.
This first day concluded with the summary and take-aways from the sessions, exchange of views and best practices, highlighting the importance of understanding Member States’ perspectives when shaping EU-level policy instruments and technical frameworks.
Day 2: Interactive sessions showcasing EU Initiatives
The second day shifted focus toward EU-level actions, placing emphasis on dialogue, collaboration, and alignment with broader interoperability goals under the European Commission’s digital agenda and the Interoperable Europe Act.
Opening the day, the European Commission team presented the Interoperable Europe Act (IEA) and the Interoperability Assessments (IOPA). These sessions provided participants with a clearer understanding of how these new instruments operate and how national administrations can engage with them. Discussions touched on how assessments can guide better policy and technical alignment, while reinforcing interoperability-by-design across the EU.
In a dedicated session, the European Interoperability Framework (EIF) architecture and its application across Member States were discussed. Open source and collaborative development models were also in the spotlight during an engaging panel discussion with key stakeholders from Digital Commons EDIC, the Dutch Open Source Programme Office (OSPO), and CIO-Rijk. The exchange highlighted both the potential and practical considerations of building open, reusable digital solutions for public services.
Finally, a session on the Interoperable Europe Monitoring was held, providing a preview of the new monitoring mechanism developed by the Commission to monitor the Act’s implementation and interoperability efforts in Member States.
A road ahead
The two-day event deepened the cooperation between national authorities and the European Commission through showcasing national expertise and EC-led policy and technical initiatives. Stay tuned for more country-related information and upcoming events!
Testimonial from the participants
How do you see the outcomes of this event being applied in your country?
Watch the video to discover the insights shared by Patrick Koestner, Coordinating Policy Officer at the Netherlands’ Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations.
Are you working on digital transformation of public services and interested in organising a similar event in your country to connect, share best practices and collaborate on solutions at a Europe-wide level?