What is EU4Digital doing to help Eastern partner countries implement DESI?

The EU4Digital Digital Skills thematic area launched its DESI acceleration activities on 30 May 2023. The primary goal of the EU4Digital DESI Accelerator is to facilitate the implementation of the Digital Economy and Society Index in the Eastern partner countries and their adoption of DESI indicator collection. Three out of four DESI dimensions will be covered – i.e. human capital, integration of digital technology and integration of digital public services – as collection of full connectivity dimension data is already performed by another EU4Digital stream.

In the first stage, EU4Digital is analysing gaps between current and envisioned data collection practices in Eastern partner countries. We will develop operational recommendations for regional and national levels to move towards implementing full DESI indicator collection in line with EU methodologies. These recommendations will be based on the existing status of data collection related to DESI indicators in the countries. Eastern partner stakeholders shall have the opportunity to provide inputs and validate the reports. The DESI Accelerator will also provide support and capacity building for promoting the adoption of DESI collection. This will involve Eastern partner countries in capacity-building and experience-exchangeactivities with EU Member States, facilitating training and consultations on DESI indicator measurement, and developing the capacity of institutions involved in data collection and measurement.  The primary focus will be on national training and consultations, as well as regional events.

The DESI Accelerator is not foreseen as a framework for provision of funding, but it will deliver full methodological support and tailored best practices for DESI indicator collection.