Riga, the capital city of Latvia, is establishing a new centralized agency with the aim of improving digital services and the use of data. As part of an IT modernisation drive, The Riga Digital Agency has come about from the re-organisation of the city’s Information Technology Centre. It is scheduled to begin operations on April 1, 2022, and a recruitment process has been launched to find a director for the new agency. For the time being, it will be led by Aris Dzērvāns, Director of the Information Technology Centre. The Agency will continue to be staffed by current employees, who will be provided with opportunities to acquire new skills and strengthen competencies.
The new agency will have a number of responsibilities, including: ensuring the availability, security, efficient, and effective use of data in municipal work and decision-making; the development of shared IT solutions and improving procurement processes to promote competition between suppliers; the development of digital skills among city employees; continuing the implementation of e-services; and improving internal collaboration. It will also have an Information Technology Support Division to provide internal technical help.
“In modern municipalities, technology must become the driving force behind digital transformation so that the city can offer high-quality and innovative services to its citizens,” said Mārtiņš Staķis, Chairman of the Riga City Council. “In planning this reform, Riga gained experience from European cities that are already leaders in digital growth – Helsinki, Barcelona and others. Our goal is to create a Riga digital agency that can lead the implementation of smart and forward-looking solutions in our city.”