A Spanish framework for European digital goals

22 maart 2016

The Government of Spain developed a Digital Agenda as a framework of reference to define a roadmap to build Spain’s strategy to achieve the goals of the Digital Agenda for Europe. It fosters the deployment of networks and services to guarantee digital connectivity, develop digital economy for the growth, competitiveness and internationalisation of Spanish companies. A conversation with Francisco Javier García Vieira, Director de Servicios Públicos Digitales in Spain.

1. What is the Digital Agenda of Spain?

The Digital Agenda for Spain is the public policies framework for the development of the Information Society in Spain. It is composed of a number of plans, devoted to specific areas. Among these, the Spanish National Plan for Smart Cities is the one that defines the actions and the budget allocated by the central Government to promote the Smart Cities in Spain. The rationale for the Agenda, its objectives and actions are described in detail.

2. How are cities involved in the digital agenda?

As for the mechanism by which cities are involved, it can be found in detail in the Smart Cities Plan. In short, the involvement is twofold. On one hand, they act as advisors through an Advisory Committee, where they are represented by the Spanish Network of Smart Cities. On the other hand, funding is provided through calls for proposals, so that Smart Cities projects became affordable for cities throughout Spain.

3. What is the international perspective of the digital agenda Spain?

The international perspective can be found in the Internationalization Plan, intended to increase the visibility and international presence of Spanish technology based companies. Again in short, it is aiming at increasing the role of ICT companies in Spanish exports.

4. What is your view of the Netherlands (and the Dutch cities) as a ‘smart’ country?

As for the Dutch cities, we are well aware of the leading position of cities such as Amsterdam, which is included among the prominent European Smart Cities. The Dutch representatives in the Six Nations Forum keep us up to date of the Dutch Government policies in this field, as we share the Spanish policies and actions with the colleagues.

5. What could we do better in your opinion, or can you learn from our approach?

Among the strengths that we have in Spain, I would mention the existence of a strong association of Smart Cities (the Spanish Network of Smart Cities), and a fluent and productive coordination between those cities and the Central Government. The very existence of the Smart Cities Plan and its budget is in part due to that coordination between municipalities and Central Government. The standardization process undertaken by the Spanish Standardization Body and promoted by the Ministry of Industry is another important milestone. We are now involved in the promotion of these national standards, so that they became international standards.