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Insight to e-governance: Discovering the field through Estonian examples
Taimar PeterkopSenior Expert, e-Governance Academy
former Secretary of State, Government Office, and Director General, Estonian Information System
This pre-conference event offers e-Governance Conference participants a deeper understanding of Estonia’s digital transformation journey. Experts and leaders who played a key role in this transformation will share insights on milestones, strategic decisions, and innovations that have positioned Estonia as a global leader in digital governance.
Join the seminar to gain valuable background knowledge and enrich your overall experience at the e-Governance Conference!
Location: Nordic Hotel Forum
Welcome reception at the Proto hosted by Jevgeni Ossinovski
Kick off your conference experience with an evening of networking and innovation in a relaxed and informal setting.
Location: Proto Invention Factory
Registration, welcome coffee & EXPO
Welcome by Hannes Astok
Opening keynote by Liisa-Ly Pakosta
Panel “From bytes to benefits: a strategic approach to digital transformation”
Digital transformation is about making informed choices that drive economic and social impact. This opening panel shifts the focus from technology-driven decisions to outcome-driven strategies, ensuring investments align with long-term prosperity. Experts from government, business, and policy will discuss how to balance costs and benefits, coordinate diverse perspectives, and design policies that maximise value. This session provides the foundation for discussions throughout the conference.
Connect and refresh
Showcase “Empowering people for green transition: citizen-led innovation in action”
Dr. Arch. Giovanni AllegrettiCoordinator of Phoenix Project, Senior Researcher at Center for Social Studies
University of Coimbra, Portugal
The green transition requires both policy action and public participation. This session explores how citizen engagement and co-creation drive effective sustainability and economic resilience solutions. Through an engaging conversation between a citizen engagement expert and a practitioner, we share key lessons from the Phoenix project. Participants will gain insights on using digital tools and democratic innovation to ensure the green transition benefits people and economies.
Showcase “Revolutionising defence: how digital innovation transforms warfare”
Kateryna Chernohorenko Deputy Minister for Digital Development, Digital Transformations and Digitalization
Ministry of Defence of Ukraine
Ukraine’s defence sector is rapidly digitalising to enhance efficiency and operational effectiveness in modern warfare. This showcase will explore key innovations, including the Reserve+ app for streamlined recruitment, the Army+ app for military personnel, and the DELTA combat system for real-time intelligence. IT professionals, military officials, government representatives, tech companies, policymakers, and researchers will hear about the best practices and challenges in building a digital army. Participants will gain insights into how digital solutions strengthen defence capabilities and inform military modernisation worldwide.
Keynote: “Middle income trap: breaking the growth barriers”
Indermit GillChief Economist of the World Bank Group and Senior Vice President for Development Economics
Global economic growth is slowing, and not in the short-term view. Most of the world’s countries are not on track to catch up with the US – the fastest and steadiest growing advanced economy – but are actually falling further behind year by year.
To achieve more sophisticated economies, countries need two successive transitions, not one. In the first, investment is complemented with infusion so that countries (primarily lower-middle-income countries) focus on imitating and diffusing modern technologies.
Second, innovation is added to the investment and infusion mix so that countries (primarily upper-middle-income countries) focus on building domestic capabilities to add value to global technologies, ultimately becoming innovators themselves.
This keynote will explore how the right mix of investment, infusion, and innovation—particularly in digital technologies—can drive sustained growth and help economies transition from imitation to innovation.
Panel “The true cost of digital transformation: investing in long-term value”
Digital transformation requires strategic investments to enhance security, competitiveness, and societal well-being. This panel brings together an entrepreneur, a futurologist, and government officials to explore how to invest in smart, integrated, and collaborative digital solutions. The discussion will focus on balancing costs with long-term benefits, ensuring every investment serves a clear purpose. Participants will gain insights into managing digitalisation’s economic and societal impacts to create lasting value.
Showcase “Understanding and using the NCSI: strengthening national cybersecurity”
Cybersecurity is a foundation for national digital and e-governance efforts. This session presents eGA’s National Cyber Security Index (NCSI), a free tool that helps governments assess and improve their cybersecurity capabilities. A live demonstration will showcase how the index works, how countries can join, and how to use it for strategic decision-making. Participants will gain practical insights into leveraging the NCSI to strengthen national cybersecurity and drive digital trust.
Showcase “Building a digital nation: Kenya’s inter-ministerial approach”
Mary KeremaSecretary ICT
E-Government and Digital Economy, Ministry of ICT and the Digital Economy, Kenya
Victoria NkathaKenya Operations and Capacity Building Lead
Estonian Centre for International Development, Estonia (moderator)
Kenya’s digital transformation is key to its economic growth and global competitiveness. This session explores the Inter-Ministerial Working Group initiative, which unites IT leaders across government to drive sustainable digitalisation. Through case studies and expert insights, participants will learn how collaboration enhances policy coordination, interoperability, and citizen-focused services. The discussion offers practical lessons on fostering a whole-of-government approach to digital transformation, ensuring long-term economic and social benefits.
Workshop “Overcoming interoperability bottlenecks: lessons from Latin America”
Edie Cux GarcíaCoordinator and Executive Director
Presidential Commission on Open and Electronic Government, Guatemala
Heiko VainsaluHead of Infrastructure and Solutions Competence Centre
e-Governance Academy (moderator)
Cross-border data exchange promises economic and administrative benefits, yet many countries face persistent barriers to implementation. This session will explore key lessons from recent interoperability pilots conducted in Latin America under the EU-LAC Digital Alliance. Experts will discuss identified bottlenecks and practical strategies to overcome them. Participants will gain insights into real-world challenges and solutions for achieving seamless digital integration.
Showcase “Trembita: 5 years of impact on society”
Interoperability connects public registers into a unified digital space, driving efficiency and economic benefits. Despite wartime challenges, Ukraine’s Trembita system has operated for five years, enabling key e-services. This session explores its development, impact, and role in digital transformation. Particularly useful for the IT leaders in government teams, the participants learn how interoperability reduces costs, improves services, and strengthens governance.
Lunch
Workshop “From analysis to action: GovStack as the DPI implementation framework for better public e-services”
Effective digital transformation requires more than just technology—it needs structured, proven methodological frameworks that drive real impact. This session examines and illustrates how GovStack framework helps governments build human-centric e-services, using Kenya’s recent experience. Through examples and interactive discussion, workshop participants will explore GovStack’s modular, interoperable Building Blocks such as Information Mediator, drive service design, data-driven decision-making, and long-term sustainability. GovStack Sandbox will be introduced as a demonstration environment for digital teams from governments and service providers to learn and test how the GovStack approach can be implemented.
Showcase “Building digital expertise: uniting knowledge for smarter governance”
Effective digital transformation requires a shared knowledge base and collaboration between experts, government agencies, and businesses. Ukraine’s Ministry of Digital Transformation and eGA have established the Digital Competence Center to standardise expertise and accelerate innovation. This session will showcase the Center’s role in removing barriers to digital adoption, developing standards, and integrating AI for better governance. Participants will gain insights into replicable best practices and strategies for cross-sector cooperation.
Fireside chat “Estonia’s edge: turning AI into impact”
In this fireside chat, President Alar Karis and renowned IT visionary Linnar Viik will explore how digital transformation—especially through the use of AI in education, the public sector, and entrepreneurship—can drive tangible prosperity. Their conversation will connect Estonia’s digital journey with broader insights on how countries can turn technology into real economic and societal benefits.
Showcase “Trust in digital government: personal data access monitoring”
Trust in digital government depends on transparent and secure personal data processing. This showcase will explore how access monitoring prevents unauthorized data use and strengthens trust. Experts will present a technical solution that records and displays access logs for citizens, sharing insights on implementation, security, and economic benefits. Government IT managers, digital transformation visionaries, and service designers can learn practical strategies from Ukraine’s experience to enhance data protection in digital projects.
Keynote and discussion ”Unlocking competitiveness through digital innovation: from investment to impact”
How can digital transformation drive tangible economic growth at regional and national levels? In this session, Federico Menna, CEO of EIT Digital, draws on EIT Digital’s extensive experience to explore how targeted innovation, startup scaling, and public-private collaboration can convert digital investments into real-world results. Key focus areas will include overcoming adoption barriers, enabling cross-border cooperation, improving access to capital, and identifying the economic indicators most influenced by digitalisation.
Showcase “Digital skilling: a continuous process”
Irina StrajescuExecutive Director of the Moldcell Foundation and Director of the People and Communication Department at Moldcell
Moldova
Technology alone doesn’t drive digital transformation—people need the skills to use it effectively. This session explores digital skilling as an ongoing process, not a one-time project. Experts will share strategies for behaviour change, public-private collaboration, and sustainable capacity-building. Participants learn from real-world cases in Moldova, Georgia, and beyond, gaining practical insights on funding, engagement, and long-term digital literacy, and leave with practical frameworks for designing and implementing effective digital skilling initiatives.
Connect and refresh
Workshop “From paper to digital: planning integrated public services”
Moving from paper-based processes to integrated digital public services saves time, improves data quality, and enhances efficiency. This workshop will guide participants through planning digital services using real-world examples, comparing AS-IS and TO-BE situations to highlight key transformation steps. Through interactive exercises, participants will explore how to streamline processes and implement a step-by-step approach to success. Governments and donors will gain practical insights into making digital integration work independently while leveraging proven expertise.
Showcase “Green data for a sustainable economy: turning insights into action”
Environmental data is key to economic resilience and sustainable development. This session explores how climate and green data—collected through satellites, AI, and blockchain—can drive better decision-making in energy efficiency, infrastructure planning, and resource management. Through real-world applications, participants will see how data-driven insights optimize sustainability efforts and economic policies. Join the showcase to discover how leveraging green data can enhance environmental outcomes and economic prosperity.
Panel “Building trust and value through interoperability: the engine of digital efficiency and economic growth”
Heiko VainsaluHead of Infrastructure and Solutions Competence Centre
e-Governance Academy (moderator)
Interoperability sets the foundation for efficiency and effectiveness in both the public and private sectors. This panel will examine how key building blocks—secure data exchange, authentication, and electronic identity—contribute to economic growth and operational savings. Experts will discuss methods for assessing their costs and benefits, ensuring that investments deliver tangible value. The session will provide insights into balancing interoperability, security, and economic impact in digital governance.
Keynote “Governing for digital prosperity: leading with purpose”
Taimar PeterkopSenior Expert, e-Governance Academy
former Secretary of State, Government Office, and Director General, Estonian Information System
Digital transformation is redefining governance, shaping economies, and setting new expectations for leadership. This keynote will highlight how governments can use digital tools to foster openness, engagement, and economic growth while maintaining trust and security. This closing keynote of the day will provide strategic insights on aligning digital governance with long-term prosperity and public value and leave participants with a clear direction on how to lead digital transformation with purpose and impact.
Key conclusions of the conference day
Networking dinner at the Seaplane Harbour, keynote by Margus Tsahkna
Enjoy a delicious dinner in a unique venue, while engaging in insightful discussions and networking with leading experts in the field.
Location: Seaplane Harbour
Registration, welcome coffee & EXPO
Opening keynote by Erkki Keldo
Workshop “Empowering public service design with AI: smarter services, greater impact”
AI can enhance public service efficiency while keeping services citizen-centric. This hands-on workshop explores how AI streamlines workflows, allowing professionals to focus on value-driven tasks. Through interactive exercises and real-world case studies, participants will learn to integrate AI into service design effectively and will leave with practical insights and tools for leveraging AI to improve digital services and drive meaningful economic impact.
Panel “Shaping prosperity: political leadership and strategic choices for digital economic growth”
Margus SarapuuSenior Expert, e-Governance Academy
former Director of Strategy, Estonian Government Office and Secretary General of Ministry of Justice, Estonia (moderator)
Sustainable economic benefits from digital transformation depend on aligning strategic policy choices with strong political leadership. This high-level ministerial panel brings together political leaders to discuss effective strategies for investment, economic growth, and equitable prosperity. Speakers will share national approaches to key initiatives that unlock tangible benefits for society, offering insights into governance decisions that shape the future of a digitally driven economy.
Connect and refresh
Workshop “Cybersecurity policy needs CSO voices: securing a seat at the table”
Civil society organisations are crucial in shaping cybersecurity policies that impact economies and societies. This workshop provides practical insights into advocacy and lobbying, influencing decision-making, and engaging stakeholders in regulatory processes. Through discussions and hands-on exercises, participants will develop models to navigate political and regulatory challenges. They will gain skills in policy analysis, stakeholder engagement, media communication, and leadership within complex governance environments.
Showcase “E-Entrepreneur: simplifying business, strengthening the economy”
Complex and costly business registration processes hinder entrepreneurship and economic growth. Unique Ukraine’s e-Entrepreneur digital service streamlines business registration, administration and B2G communications by 15 services into a single application, reducing bureaucratic barriers. This session will showcase its architecture, user experience, and technological foundation, highlighting how automation supports economic development. Participants will explore how similar solutions can enhance business accessibility, foster entrepreneurship, and drive economic benefits in their own countries.
Keynote “AI: driving economic growth, testing democratic governance
AI is transforming economies, reshaping industries, and redefining the future of work while also challenging democratic governance. This keynote explores AI’s role in global competition, its economic benefits, and the risks of unchecked algorithmic influence on public discourse and policymaking. Expert insights will examine strategies for balancing innovation with regulatory safeguards and democratic resilience to offer the participants a clearer understanding of how governments can harness AI for prosperity while protecting public trust.
Showcase “Internet voting: 20 years of lessons for digital democracy”
Dr. Liia HänniDigital Democracy Expert
former Minister and Member of the Estonian Parliament, Estonia
Estonia’s two decades of Internet voting offer key insights into digital elections’ economic and governance impacts. This session will examine the prerequisites, challenges, and global applicability of online voting, drawing from Estonia’s experience. Experts will discuss security, trust, and cost-efficiency in scaling digital elections. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of how Internet voting can enhance democratic participation while optimizing resources.
Panel “Cybersecurity and public-private partnerships: strength in collaboration”
Cybersecurity is a shared responsibility that requires strong partnerships between governments and businesses. This panel explores how collaboration in general and cyber threat information sharing in particular enhances national security, protects critical infrastructure, and strengthens corporate resilience. Speakers will discuss the private sector’s role in cyber security, the economic value of public-private cooperation, and strategies for building trust-based partnerships, offering a deep dive into securing the digital economy through coordinated efforts.
Showcase “Strengthening digital safety: civil society’s role in cyber resilience”
Civil society is crucial in strengthening cybersecurity, complementing national institutions and reaching vulnerable social and economic groups. This session will showcase the “KnowCyber” initiative under the EU-funded “Cyber Balkans” project, where CSOs helped raise cyber risk awareness across the Western Balkans. Speakers will highlight successful initiatives and their impact on national cybersecurity strategies. Participants will learn how inclusive partnerships can enhance cyber resilience and economic stability.
Showcase “Test in Tallinn: how urban innovation drives digital transformation”
Cities can serve as real-world testbeds for digital innovation, accelerating transformation and improving public services. This showcase explores Tallinn’s ambition to lead urban innovation through its Urban Digital Twin, AI applications, IoT solutions, and digitally inclusive services. The showcase will demonstrate how testing in Tallinn enhances sustainability and public trust. Participants will gain insights into creating dynamic testing environments that foster collaboration between governments, businesses, and citizens for smarter urban development.
Lunch
Workshop “Scaling digital public infrastructure: lessons from implementation”
Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) is key to economic growth, service delivery, and inclusion, but scaling it effectively remains a challenge. This workshop will examine successful DPI implementations using digital public goods, highlighting strategies, obstacles, and economic impacts. Through case studies, peer discussions, and practical exercises, participants will analyse real-world examples and develop country-specific DPI roadmaps. By the end, each team will leave with concrete action points to drive DPI adoption and enhance digital economies.
Panel “Digital strategies: building a secure and prosperous future”
As digitalisation accelerates and AI reshapes services, governments must rethink their digital and cybersecurity strategies. This panel will examine how nations can balance technological advancements with geopolitical realities, cybersecurity threats, and the need for resilient digital policies. Experts will share insights on navigating policy challenges while ensuring interoperability and alignment with global standards. Participants will gain strategies for developing secure, adaptive digital policies that support economic stability and national security.
Closing keynote “Data, trust, and the future of prosperity: lessons from genetics”
As digital transformation reshapes economies, the ability to turn data into actionable intelligence becomes a key driver of prosperity. This keynote explores the intersection of data, ethics, and governance, highlighting how responsible data use contributes to prosperity. Insights from Estonia’s Gene Bank illustrate the economic and societal benefits of strategic data-driven decision-making and offers a forward-looking view on leveraging data for long-term economic success.
Closing of the conference by the e-Governance Academy
