Leading the way to human-centric digitalisation
Finland introduces its game-changing Digital Compass, fostering continuity and propelling digitalisation forward. Through strategic investments and a human-centric approach, Finland emerges as a frontrunner, guiding us towards a prosperous digital future.
Working together to lead the way to human-centric digitalisation
Finland’s top position in the Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI) and other indices tells us that we have done many things right in promoting digitalisation. As a global pioneer, Finland aims to systematically continue its ambitious digital and technology policy.
Against this backdrop, Finland takes pride in spearheading the digital transformation, leading by example through collaboration. We are determined to pave the way for innovation and progress, inspiring others to embrace the power of digitalisation. The EU has tasked all member states to draw up a national strategic roadmap as part of the EU’s Digital Decade 2030 framework. To fulfil this requirement, our national Digital Compass was published last year among the first ones in Europe.
Finland’s Digital Compass boosts and gives direction to Finland’s digitalisation efforts. It is a strategy for the next decade, allowing digitalisation and the data economy to better serve citizens, communities and businesses in 2030.
A digitalisation policy needs strong commitment and engagement from all. The biggest innovation of our Digital Compass is the transformation and enhancement of the way we cooperate and engage with others. This work was steered by a new Ministerial Working Group responsible for the digital transformation. Through our new coordinating network, the Digital Office, all ministries were involved in drawing up the Compass. Hundreds of stakeholders gave their contribution at meetings and workshops and through consultation.
As a new Finnish government is about to take office, the Digital Compass will bring much needed continuity. Joint commitment from the ministries and stakeholders and the support of Parliament both convey an important message for the next government term: We must continue to make the necessary investments in all areas of the Digital Compass, including infrastructure, competence and the digitalisation of businesses and public services.
At the same time, we must be able to make choices and prioritise funding. To facilitate progress monitoring, we need to develop a shared knowledge base and situational awareness. We need better data both to identify bottlenecks and to know which investments will result in the biggest gains.
We hope that our example of the Digital Compass and of practical cooperation can inspire others who are working together to build a better Europe through digital transformation. Our enhanced national cooperation has been very fruitful, and we wish to see the benefits of cooperation also at EU level.
Time for implementation
The key measures to reach the Digital Decade targets should be launched as soon as possible. In particular, we need to make haste to improve our digital infrastructure. Through cyber-secure and high-quality networks and computing power, combined with the structures for a well-functioning data economy, we can increase competences, do successful business and provide human-centred and efficient public services.
The data economy is one of Finland’s focus areas where, in order to succeed, we will need efficient, reliable and fair exchange and sharing of data. While more efficient processing of financial data will affect all businesses, developing data utilisation in areas such as healthcare and social welfare will be a particularly important and demanding task. Mobility data is also a key area. By investing in data sharing structures in these sectors, we can further scale the benefits across all sectors.
Finland has long emphasised the development of productivity based on data use and human-centred digital services. We have contributed to the creation of a human-centred and balanced regulatory framework for the data economy in the EU. In addition to the implementation of the Digital Decade, an effective and uniform implementation of the regulations will be the next crucial step in promoting the EU’s competitiveness, open strategic autonomy and digital resilience.
Get in touch:
digioffice@gov.fi is a one-stop shop for all questions and inquiries. Please get in touch and the Digital Office will get back to you.
Government report: Digital Compass – Valto (valtioneuvosto.fi)
Text: Laura Eiro, Director General, Ministry of Transport and Communications