In Emilia Romagna 10 Thematic Communities (ComTem) have been launched during spring this year. During the kick-off meetings, participants shared the main proposals and needs identified within their institutions and identified potential activities to be undertaken as part of this new process. Later, the coordinators of each ComTem identified specific objectives, and developed an annual Activity Plan. Get insights on the objectives and activities of the ComTem.
Objectives and Scope of the Initiative
The Thematic Communities (ComTem) are a strategic action within the Emilia-Romagna Digital Agenda Coordination, serving as a fundamental pillar for digital transformation across the region. Their primary objective is to co-design and experiment with strategic actions impacting public entities throughout the territory. ComTem acts as a hub for multiplying and disseminating knowledge related to the Emilia-Romagna Digital Agenda policies, actively promoting and stimulating their widespread application. Furthermore, these communities are instrumental in generating new solutions to local needs by identifying and developing innovative services and organizational approaches. They also aim to foster growth and strengthen the administrative capacity of regional territories in implementing the Digital Agenda, notably through the exchange of local experiences and contributions.
Technical Methodology and Operational Approach
The ComTem system operates as a collaborative platform where various stakeholders are brought together for co-creation and knowledge sharing. A new model for ComTem was presented, emphasizing co-design involving the Region, Lepida, and local entities, outlining the mission and operational methods for 10 new thematic communities. The coordination of the Digital Agenda (ADER) serves as a central point for connecting, integrating, involving, and sharing actions within the ComTem system and individual communities, promoting strategic development within the regional administration and institutional digital governance bodies. Regular meetings, such as annual open sessions, allow communities to present their progress, update on activities, and collectively explore future prospects, fostering continuous engagement and collaborative planning.
Key Challenges and Solutions Adopted
A significant challenge addressed by ComTem is the need for effective information and experience sharing among diverse entities to define future activity plans and contribute to the new regional Digital Agenda. To tackle this, ComTem encourages entities to share their innovative digital solutions through initiatives like an “Atlas of Good Digital Practices.” The communities also facilitate in-depth discussions and workshops on critical topics, such as the evolution of smart working in public administration. These sessions aim to share tested solutions and best practices, transforming smart working from an emergency measure into a standard operational mode. The emphasis is on collaborative knowledge building and the dissemination of successful implementations to strengthen administrative capabilities across the region.
Implications
The ComTem initiative has far-reaching implications for digital transformation in Emilia-Romagna, fostering a collaborative ecosystem where public entities actively contribute to regional digital strategies. The system has seen substantial participation, with 1,304 registrations (816 individuals) representing 90.4% of the regional population. This wide engagement signifies a strong commitment to shared growth and the co-creation of a “common good” digital environment. The ongoing re-modeling of the ComTem system, based on listening and collecting proposals from participants, aims to enhance its functionality and inclusivity. The initiative reinforces the role of Lepida in supporting and implementing actions within ComTem, promoting active collaboration and integrated digital solutions across the region, including alignment with PNRR (National Recovery and Resilience Plan) objectives.
Composition and Activity Plan (PdA)
The ComTem system boasts a broad representation from across the Emilia-Romagna territory. Its composition includes 29 Unions of Municipalities (representing 199 Municipalities), 36 additional Municipalities (including all provincial capitals), all Provinces, the Metropolitan City of Bologna, and 17 various organizations such as regional health agencies, ACER, AIPO, ANAI, ANCI-ER, ARPAE, Art-ER ScpA, UPI-ER, and the Archival and Bibliographic Superintendence of Emilia-Romagna, along with various regional directorates and Lepida Scpa. Following the launch of the new system model, an annual Activity Plan (PdA) is developed and made publicly available. This plan outlines specific activities for the 10 thematic communities: Digital Administrators, Digital Gender Gap, Digital Integrations, Data, Documents, Citizens, Businesses, Digital Facilitation, Cybersecurity and Cloud, and Internet of Things. The PdA is defined through shared proposals with participants, leading to the formation of working groups that actively pursue the established objectives.
Additional Information
The ComTem system has evolved through several cycles, with the latest, launched in March 2017, developing 10 communities. The ongoing remodeling process, initiated with co-design workshops, aims to strengthen and optimize the functionality and inclusivity of these communities. Key figures involved in the initiative include the Regional Councillor Paola Salomoni and Dimitri Tartari and Barbara Santi from ADER Coordination. Lepida plays a crucial role in supporting the implementation of actions. Specific projects, like “Meno soli con gli oggetti intelligenti” (Less alone with smart objects) in collaboration with the Municipality of Castenaso, demonstrate how ComTem initiatives translate into tangible, innovative services utilizing IoT to monitor the elderly population and improve their well-being.
Contact point for GOVERNANCE project: Antonio Caforio, CINI
