- Funding Programme
- Year
- 2022
Digitalization and Modernization of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Cyprus
The overall aim of the project was to support the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) to deliver its mandate effectively, to improve the working environment of its staff, to better integrate the Headquarters and the Diplomatic Missions, as well as to be better equipped to react to the challenges and responsibilities arising from the European, regional and global scene. To this end, the areas that need to be improved, amended, redesigned, and transformed through digitalisation initiatives and modernisation of its organisational structure and operational governance were identified. Challenges in operational optimisation, human capital capacity and availability of technology solutions for information management were assessed and form the basis of the reforms to be implemented.
This project is funded by the European Union via the Technical Support Instrument and implemented in cooperation with the Directorate General for Structural Reform Support of the European Commission.
Context
The request for technical assistance emerged from the recognition of several operational particularities and challenges faced by the MFA of Cyprus, including digital, organisational and human resources constraints. Additionally, there was a need to introduce specialised information technology solutions to improve operations and address the sui generis requirements of the MFA.
The project included the mapping of the current state and areas requiring improvement related to the Ministry’s governance, operational, organizational and digitalization framework, and the definition of specific initiatives, based on best practices, for supporting the ministry to effectively deliver its mandate. Recommendations targeted the modernization of the MFA, workforce planning, Learning & Development practices and the adoption of digital solutions for enhanced collaboration, operational efficiency and information flow.
Support delivered
The project assessed the current situation of the MFA, including issues and challenges of the organisational, governance and digitalization framework which were analysed in tandem with the identified future needs. Good practices from various Ministries of Foreign Affairs of EU Member States and EU Institutions were studied, inter alia, via exchanges with their respective expert staff and through a study visit to Brussels. Specific gaps were identified whilst recommendations and options for technology and organisational elements were assessed. A detailed action plan with 35 main actions was developed, followed by an implementation monitoring period. The support received by the MFA included subject matter expertise for the implementation of selected actions and the definition of technical requirements for the development of selected digital tools, selected as priorities.
Results achieved
An action plan was developed, which included main actions and subsequent activities related to organisational and digitalization initiatives.
Regarding the implementation progress of digitalization initiatives, certain digital tools were prioritised, and technical specifications were developed.
Regarding the implementation progress of organisational initiatives, steps have been taken to improve capacity and resources as well as to optimise workforce planning processes and operational procedures.
The implementation of all organisational and technology related initiatives is anticipated to have a substantial impact on the modernization and digitalization of the ministry’s processes, organisational structure and operational governance.
More about the project
You can read the documents related to the project here: