This year’s edition “Embracing Digital Transformation in the region: Digital Agenda, Data Protection, and Good Governance”, aims to further explore the possibilities of the digital transformation of the society among Western Balkans, the importance of Data Protection as a Region, and the importance of Openness and Good Governance across countries. The three sessions, respectively, will derive from the implementation of the Digital Agenda for the Western Balkan countries to further discuss the benefits and risks regarding this process. As a continuation from the previous editions of promoting the interconnection between Technology, Government, and Data, this year’s edition moves forward in reflecting the latest efforts made with respect to each theme.

With the theme ‘Openness during Shutdown: How COVID-19 Exposed the Need for Fast and Easy Access to Data’ exclusively focused on how the COVID-19 pandemic changed how every institution works and how the need for timely data has multiplied. The sessions revolved around the state of open data from various perspectives and how the COVID-19 pandemic pushed for fundamental changes to work as we know it. In addition, it was discussed how the emerging challenges stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic contributed to the ever-increasing need for data-driven solutions.

With the theme ‘Government, Technology and Open Data’ exclusively focused on advocating for gov-tech models implementation taking into account citizens’ contribution and involving civic tech communities. The sessions involved various discussions with the aim to: enhance practical exchange and problem-solving to connect sectors of public administration and civic tech through inviting their representatives to the debate and performing examination of their needs, opinions and collaboration capacity, and to strengthen the civic tech community in respect of collaboration with governments.

With the theme ‘Opening Data in Public Administration’ exclusively focused on how open data within public institutions was integrated and how open data projects are being carried out across different environments. Specifically, the impact of open data was discussed and its various benefits, thus demonstrating how open data enables fast and easy access to data produced by public institutions which in turn enable the re-usage of data for various purposes.