In a competition for innovative digital project ideas, 40,000 public sector servants had the opportunity to actively participate in the digitalization process.
All employees of the Lower Austrian Federal Government were invited to think beyond borders in order to introduce new digital technologies, processes and procedures. Aim of the call:
• to digitally simplify work processes
• to make everyday work easier through digital applications
• to be able to act faster with higher quality
• and to regain more time for communication with customers
Ideally, project ideas were interdisciplinary and involved several organizational units. However, subject-specific projects that are only relevant for one organizational unit were also allowed. All submitted ideas had to be within the area of responsibility of the regional administration and must be feasible there. After the 79 submitted projects had been examined according to the evaluation criteria, the best 16 ideas were selected to pitch their ideas (3 minutes short presentation) in front of the head of Office of the Lower Austrian Federal Government. The short presentations were prepared in a pitching workshop with experts. Out of the 16 nominated projects, the jury selected 4 winning projects in 4 different categories. The winners were announced at a big event in an Oscar like ceremony, with short films introducing the project and received an award handed over by the Governor.
Main stakeholders of the Good Practice: Lower Austrian Federal Government, because it supports the administration to work more efficiently for the benefit of citizens and companies in the region.
Resources needed
The implementation required staff resources only. No money was awarded, but all participants received a voucher for local restaurants. Costs for the pitching training were minor. The best 4 projects are being implemented with support of the Technology and Digitalization Unit and the IT department.
Evidence of success
79 submissions were received, this number exceeded all expectations. The ideas came from all the different areas: the Office of the Lower Austrian Federal Government, district councils, university and state hospitals, nursing and care centres, kindergartens and more. Besides the high quality of the project ideas, were also impressed by the interdepartmental project teams, which illustrates the diversity of the region of Lower Austria.
Difficulties encountered
At the beginning it was difficult to involve and motivate all relevant stakeholders in the Office of the Lower Austrian Federal Government. But in the end, there was a high participation and valuable results were achieved in all areas of public administration in the region.
Potential for learning or transfer
The concept of the digi contest can be applied to many regions and in many (public and private) organisations. It is important to enable all employees to contribute their suggestions. We have received a lot of positive feedback, as this was the first time for all 40,000 public sector servants in Lower Austria to bring in their ideas.
The concept has already been shared with other Austrian federal states and they are considering similar activities.
Relevance for Next2Met: Involvement of all state employees enables broad integration into the digitalization process. Ideas about activities that help the country and its people can be introduced and implemented to provide added value internally and externally.
Tags: Digitalisation, Empowerment, Innovation, Public sector, Solutions
