Stefanos Kotoglou to the GovTech Community: Share your successes and failures. Both are valuable experiences!

Stefanos Kotoglou, who has been working with DG DIGIT for over a year, spoke passionately about the journey behind organising the first-ever Public Sector Tech Watch Best Cases Awards. With an extensive background in coordinating reports on AI and emerging technologies, and promoting innovation across the European public sector, Stefanos’s commitment to enhancing digital public services is evident.

In this interview, Stefanos unveils the key highlights of this year’s GovTech Connect Assembly PSTW Best Cases Awards which will take place on Thursday 28th November from 09:15am CET, both in-person in Brussels (at the Comet Louise) and online via live stream. Be sure to secure your spot, whether in person or online. 

Q: What inspired the creation of the PSTW Awards, and what is their primary focus?

A: As part of our initiative to enhance digital transformation in public administrations, the awards aim to showcase innovation, raise awareness of emerging GovTech solutions, and encourage public administrations, startups, and SMEs to share their success stories. They also provide a platform for these stakeholders to learn from each other, promoting visibility and collaboration across Europe.

Q: How do the awards promote digital innovation and transformation?

A: The awards serve as a credible recognition for organisations driving innovation. Winning or being shortlisted boosts visibility and often acts as a catalyst for further success. For instance, we anticipate that the winning projects will see an increased adoption of their solutions, higher user engagement, and even replication of their ideas in other regions. Beyond recognition, the awards emphasise the importance of showcasing impactful GovTech projects to inspire others.

Q: What themes and trends have you observed in GovTech this year?

A: A significant trend is the focus on innovative procurement methods to support emerging solutions. For instance, design contests, are an innovative procurement method for digital solutions, inviting startups and SMEs to anonymously submit creative proposals, evaluated by a jury, with the best selected and others potentially awarded prizes, fostering broad participation. These design contests invite innovators to define problems and propose solutions, bypassing lengthy traditional procurement processes. Additionally, collaboration across ecosystems - public, private, and academic - is becoming central to fostering innovation. Finally, funding mechanisms and public awareness about digital transformation remain critical areas of focus.

Q: How does the selection process for the awards work?

A: This year, we received  thirty-two submissions, which were evaluated by a panel of experts based on criteria like scalability, innovation, and impact. We shortlisted fifteen projects and assessed them further, ensuring a rigorous and transparent process. Categories included government-to-citizen and government-to-government services, with the potential for additional categories in future editions.

Q: Can you share standout projects from this year’s GovTech Awards?

A: Certainly. The most notable ones were a G2C (Government to Citizen) project titled Reimagining Helsinki which used generative AI to involve citizens in urban planning, co-designing streets with a participatory approach. The second project is a G2G (Government to Government) one called EMi Smart Employment from Galicia which helps unemployed individuals find suitable jobs by matching their skills with labour market demands using AI. Finally, the Water Pipe Leakage Management project from Bulgaria which applies machine learning and vibration sensors to detect water leaks with high accuracy, highlighting how technology can address practical challenges.

Q: What were the challenges in organising the first GovTech Awards?

A: The main challenge was dissemination - raising awareness and encouraging participation. Despite limited promotion, we received a diverse range of submissions, highlighting innovative solutions across different categories. Going forward, we aim to expand outreach efforts to attract even more participants and increase visibility.

Q: What role does the Public Sector Tech Watch play in this ecosystem?

A: The Public Sector Tech Watch tracks and analyses emerging technology use cases in Europe. It provides recommendations on adopting technologies like AI, blockchain, and AR/VR in public administrations. Our mission is to enhance knowledge-sharing, foster collaboration, and empower public sector actors with insights into innovative solutions.

Q: Could you tell us about the latest Public Sector Tech Watch report and its significance?

A: The Public Sector Tech Watch report titled ‘Public Sector Tech Watch: Adoption of AI, Blockchain, and Other Emerging Technologies within the European Public Sector’ provides a comprehensive analysis of emerging technology use cases in Europe, with over 1,200 cases to date. It highlights how technologies like AI, blockchain, AR/VR, and extended reality are being used to enhance public sector efficiency, transparency, and citizen engagement. The report also includes policy and research recommendations to guide digital transformation efforts. More information on the report as well as its findings can be found here.

Q: What does the future hold for the GovTech Awards and the broader GovTech industry?

A: While the GovTech Awards may evolve into new formats, similar initiatives are likely to continue. We envision new categories, such as "Green GovTech," to highlight the use of technology for environmental sustainability. The broader GovTech industry will focus on easing funding access, streamlining procurement processes, and building trust between public administrations and innovators. Collaboration and skills development will also be crucial for driving meaningful digital transformation.

Q: Finally, what message would you like to share with innovators in the GovTech space?

A: Share your successes and failures. Both are valuable for building a collaborative ecosystem where others can learn from your experiences. By fostering transparency and open communication, we can collectively address challenges, scale innovative solutions, and advance public sector transformation.

Watch the GovTech Assembly PSTW Awards Live!

The Awards ceremony will take place on Thursday 28th November from 09:15am CET, both in-person in Brussels and online via live stream. Don’t miss the chance to find out more about the groundbreaking cutting-edge technologies within Europe’s public sector. For more details and to join the live stream, visit https://www.govtechbootcamps.com/govtech-connect-assembly#Top.