INVEST: Paving the way for the implementation of the Interoperable Europe Act

The European Commission launched a major initiative to help EU Member States implement the Interoperable Europe Act, resulting in better digital public services across borders.

In a world where digital services have become increasingly central to the way we live and work, making sure public administrations across the EU can work together smoothly has never been more important. This is exactly what the Interoperable Europe Act, which came into effect in April 2024, is all about. It establishes a framework for an improved exchange of data and information by administrations across the EU, breaking down barriers between countries.

To bring this vision to life, the European Commission has launched the INVEST project (INTeroperability Vision in Europe - Strategy Timeplan). With a one-year timeline and €1 million in funding from the Digital Europe programme, the project is all about helping Member States collaborate, innovate, and create a detailed roadmap for making the goals of the Act a reality.

Kicking off a new era of collaboration

The INVEST project officially began on 1 January 2025, with its kick off held on 30th January in Athens with a welcome by Dimitris Papastergiou, the Minister of Digital Governance and followed by a speech from Professor Dimosthenis Anagnostopoulos, Secretary General for Information Systems and Digital Governance at the Hellenic Ministry of Digital Governance. Led by the Greek Ministry of Digital Governance, the project is a big step towards creating public services that are not just digital but also connected across borders.

At its core, INVEST is about helping countries work together to make the Interoperable Europe Act more than just a piece of legislation – it is about turning it into meaningful actions that improve people’s lives.

What the INVEST project will do

Over the next year, the project team will work closely with Member States to understand their needs, find the gaps in current systems, and figure out how best to close them, by:

• mapping existing interoperability solutions and identifying gaps to enhance digital transformation in public administrations.

• proposing reusable interoperability solutions and collaboration mechanisms to improve synergy across Member States.

• facilitating knowledge exchange and training opportunities among public administrations, experts, and stakeholders.

• supporting joint pilot initiatives that promote GovTech, regulatory sandboxes, and cross-border collaboration for seamless public services.

These activities align closely with the goals of the Interoperable Europe Board, which is guiding the project’s strategic priorities. The aim is to consolidate Member States’ needs and provide a clear roadmap for future actions, setting the stage for multi-country projects (MCPs) that will advance interoperability and innovation.

Building bridges across borders

Public bodies, universities, and research institutes from seven countries - Greece, Luxembourg, Hungary, Poland, Finland, Portugal, and Croatia - are involved, and while the project is led by a handful of Member States, it is designed to benefit all of Europe by creating solutions that anyone can use.

By the end of the project, a roadmap and strategy for implementing the Interoperable Europe Act across the EU will be presented. This roadmap will be a clear guide for Member States to take real, practical steps towards better digital governance.

By identifying shared priorities, fostering collaboration, and paving the way for future joint projects, INVEST is helping Europe move closer to a future where public services are not just digital but truly connected.