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Reform Support
P047174-558446
© EU

Supporting reforms to reinforce efficient and high quality public administrations

Funding Programme
Structural Reform Support Programme (SRSP)
Year
2019

Innovation laboratory and reform supervision in Latvia

The Commission supported the State Chancellery of Latvia in improving the capacity for innovation in the public sector in Latvia. The project focused on designing and setting up an innovation laboratory in the public administration that helps identify and address inefficient processes in the public sector. The support also addressed the promotion and coordination of innovation in the public sector by the State Chancellery. The staff were identified and trained by private sector experts and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

Context

Overregulation of public sector has created burdensome administrative procedures both within public sector and towards private sector and citizens that hinders public sector and economic productivity and lowers citizen trust. Diminishing administrative burden is the only way towards more productive public sector and economy and is a core component of the national Public Administration Reform Plan 2020. Innovation can be a powerful tool for implementation of changes needed.

Efficiency in public administration is an area that needs to be substantially improved. National regulatory authorities should change their way of thinking, seek solutions to work better, more effectively, and more efficiently. It is essential to realize that reforms are not an end in themselves, but a core tool to achieve sustainable development.

The promotion of innovation and the development of an innovation lab capable of proposing innovative solutions aim to carry out actual, practical activities with maximum positive impact on public sector effectiveness. Those activities should become a common practice: not just a one-time-project without lasting effect, but essential and viable part of public sector modernisation in Latvia.

Support delivered

The Commission provided support over an initial 12-months project and is continuing its support to ensure the sustainability of the innovation lab and further improve its impact.

The support measures consisted of:

  • Situation assessment regarding innovation in the Latvia public sector
  • Support to the development of the innovation in Latvia
  • Coaching of staff of the innovation lab and development of guidance
  • Design and implementation of a communication plan

Results achieved

The lab in Latvia is now fully operational and assists services across the administration in identifying innovative solutions to improve the quality of public services and policymaking. In particular, it has provided support during the COVID-19 crisis to identify areas of innovation and improvement in the health sector.

The methodology used by the lab has been shared in the Latvian Public sector at large.