It’s a multi-step process.

It begins with the publication of a call for proposals within the framework of an EU program. Organizations or stakeholders then develop a strategic concept for a project that aligns with the objectives of the call.

Next, a coordinator takes the lead of the Consortium and identifies and invites partners from different countries and sectors to join. The idea is to “ensure the right mix of expertise, geographical balance, and capacities.”

The proposals are evaluated by independent experts, and the selected ones can begin the project once the consortium has signed the grant agreement with the EC.

The GovTech4All project is more than just a sum of words; it’s a full-blown statement of intent. On one hand, “GovTech”, which refers to the services and technological solutions that public administrations make available to citizens; on the other, “for all”, pointing toward a unified, borderless, pan-European market. This often involves public-private partnerships, particularly startups and SMEs as well as the reuse of solutions produced by other governments.

The initiative, currently made up of 29 organizations from 20 countries, aims to accelerate the development of a cohesive European GovTech market and ecosystem.

To better understand the mission and ambition of the project, and to get a closer look at the pilots being launched, we spoke with two of its main representatives: Alex Borg, from The Lisbon Council, coordinator of the consortium, and Stefanos Kotoglou, Project Officer from the European Commission and DG DIGIT.

Although it is a complex project (with many components and ways of doing things), there are two concepts that constantly orbit the backbone of the initiative: the promotion of digital transformation and interoperability, through innovation, aspects deemed “essential” for unlocking the potential of the European Union and its single market.

THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION, THE GUIDING FORCE

It could be said that Stefanos Kotoglou is the one responsible for distilling EU policy objectives to establish the strategic imperatives underpinning the foundations of GovTech4All. His role lies in outlining the general framework of the project and working closely with its coordinator to ensure its proper functioning and alignment with the European Union’s strategic directions.

Within the GovTech4All project, pilot initiatives are prioritized, he tells us, based on their “impact, innovation, feasibility, and relevance.” Each proposal is evaluated to ensure that it addresses significant challenges or opportunities within the European Union, introduces “novel or forward-thinking approaches,” and proves to be a realistic plan to implement.

“The relevance of the pilot to broader EU policy objectives” is also considered, as well as its potential to generate results that can be replicated in other member states.

Overall, the pilots promoted and supported by the Consortium focus on the application of AI to address public sector challenges.

When asked about the expected outcome on European society, Kotoglou explains that the main aspiration is to achieve “a significant impact on society.” This is articulated by leveraging the Consortium’s ability to accelerate the adoption of these solutions, which are designed from the start to be implemented in public services and are scalable and interoperable by nature. Ultimately, this translates into a positive impact on European citizens.

THE LISBON COUNCIL, THE DETAILS

Can you imagine doing a puzzle with pieces of different shapes, colors, and textures that, once "assembled," actually make sense? That’s the kind of challenge Alex Borg, coordinator of the GovTech4All consortium, is facing.

His puzzle pieces are the 20 participating countries (visible in the infographic a few pages away from this article), and the assembled puzzle is the shared objective: "the creation of a unified European ecosystem and market for digital government technology that enables and enhances both digital transformation and interoperability.”

Digital transformation: the process of incorporating digital technologies into various areas of an organization.

Interoperability: a common, shared technological language.

Who can imagine a public service that isn’t digitalized?

Who can imagine a single market without cross-border interoperability?

For Borg, the heterogeneity of the European Union, with its borders and mosaic of countries, is not, contrary to what one might think, an obstacle; it’s a powerful source of richness.

He speaks of the greatness of diversity.

Here, “the consortium presents a valuable opportunity for mutual learning. Each participating organization contributes distinct knowledge, experience and capabilities, with varying levels of maturity across different domains”.

The key is to “collaborate with a shared strategic aim” and to do so in a conducive context. This is achieved by fostering “an inclusive and cooperative environment that raises the collective maturity of all member organizations.”

It’s a methodology that also reflects the spirit of the times.

“The world is undergoing rapid and complex change, demanding a more cohesive Europe than ever before”, he says. And this, of course, extends to the technological sphere.

THE TECHNOLOGIES EUROPE IS BETTING ON

The European Commission does not focus so much on specific technologies as on the way they are developed and the purposes they serve. Here, the climate crisis is a key construct.

“It is evident that there is a firm belief within the European Union that the way in which technologies are developed and used plays a crucial role in upholding and expressing its foundational values”, he explains. Various projects are already based on strategies and measures for climate crisis adaptation and mitigation, and he reveals that the next round of pilots will focus on responsible applications of artificial intelligence in administrations and public services.

A TECHNOLOGICALLY SOVEREIGN EUROPE?

When asked about the idea of a technologically sovereign Europe, Borg is decisive. It’s not just that the idea is plausible; in his view, it is “absolutely imperative.” It represents “a fundamental necessity—arguably an existential one.”

This vision is closely tied to the role of technology in our daily lives. It is no longer just about economic competitiveness; it is increasingly a central element of social welfare, public governance, and strategic autonomy.

This explains, for example, the Consortium’s commitment to quantum technologies, reflected in one of the pilots led, moreover, by Lantik. “They are targeted for long-term breakthroughs in computing, communications, and security,” notes Stefanos Kotoglou, thereby contributing to “a resilient and forward-looking European digital ecosystem.”

There’s still a long road ahead, but the ambition and will are already present. With that, in the coming decade, Europe may well be in a position to define itself as truly sovereign in the technological realm, he says.

MORE CHALLENGES

Borg identifies two major challenges on the road to technological sovereignty: first, that competitive priorities (at both national and European levels) make it difficult to place technological development at the heart of policymaking; second, that much of the technology originates in the private sector. “Current procurement frameworks tend to favour established, large-scale providers, who are better positioned to meet complex and rigid requirements”, he explains. As a result, some smaller and more innovative players struggle to compete.

Addressing this imbalance would strengthen Europe’s technological muscle and, although he admits that, for now, “this is far from standard practice”, Borg looks to the future with optimism. In the new round of AI-based pilots, he announces that there will be “meaningful opportunities” in the form of budgets allocated to innovative solutions from private sector organizations. The idea is to “ensure that European citizens and businesses benefit from access to cutting-edge government technologies,” and, as Kotoglou adds, ensuring the integration of technology into public services, industry, and research, “with a focus on ethics and trust.”

This access is fundamental for improving how people interact with public administrations, while shaping a more efficient, inclusive, and citizen-centered digital future.