Digital Slovenia 2030 Strategy

Introduction

Digital Slovenia 2030 is a strategic vision to transform Slovenia into a leading digital society by 2030. Through coordinated efforts, inclusive policies, and strategic investments, Slovenia aims to harness the power of digital technologies to drive sustainable and inclusive growth. It aims to harness digital technologies to enhance various sectors of society, including government, local communities, and the economy.

Purpose, Vision, Goals, and Governance

The strategy aligns with the EU’s ambitions and principles, resulting from extensive coordination among government representatives, institutions, businesses, academia, civil society, and the public. The overarching goal is to promote digital transformation across all societal segments to improve the quality of life sustainably and trustily. Key governance elements include establishing a Strategic Council for Digital Transformation and an inter-ministerial working group to ensure effective implementation.

Horizontal Principles of Action

1. General Awareness: Raising public awareness of the importance of digital transformation is crucial. Comparable EU competitors have better societal attitudes towards digitalization, which facilitates faster progress.
2. Internet as a Strategic Tool: The Internet is seen as a human right and a critical development tool, driving productivity, innovation, and overall societal efficiency.
3. Protecting a Free and Open Internet: Maintaining a unified, free, and open Internet is essential for societal and economic development. Legislation should balance regulation with fostering innovation and user protection.
4. Cross-Sectoral Synergistic Development: Digital transformation should leverage synergies across sectors, enhancing energy efficiency and reducing environmental impacts.
5. Use of Slovenian Language and Cultural Identity: Promoting digital content in Slovenian is vital for cultural preservation and visibility. Measures should ensure the availability of e-content and services in Slovenian.
6. Research and Development: Supporting research and development in digital technologies will drive economic growth and innovation. Publicly accessible databases and testing environments are critical for developing advanced solutions.
7. Strategic Autonomy and Digital Sovereignty: Reducing dependence on global competitors by strengthening cooperation with like-minded countries and advocating for a robust EU Digital Single Market.
8. Democratic Digital Society: Digital transformation must protect individual rights, privacy, and ensure equal access to digital opportunities, aligning with the European Declaration on Digital Rights and Principles.
9. Achieving Development Goals: Digital transformation should support Slovenia’s strategic development goals and the green transition, minimizing environmental impacts and promoting sustainable growth.

Priority Areas

1. Gigabit Infrastructure: Ensuring widespread access to high-speed broadband and 5G networks to support digital content and services.
2. Digital Competences and Inclusion: Enhancing digital skills across the population, with a focus on inclusion and bridging the digital divide.
3. Digital Transformation of the Economy: Integrating advanced digital technologies in businesses to improve productivity, competitiveness, and sustainability.
4. Road to Smart Society 5.0: Leveraging data, AI, and new technologies for societal benefits, fostering smart cities and communities.
5. Digital Public Services: Enhancing digital public services to improve accessibility, efficiency, and user experience.
6. Cybersecurity: Strengthening cybersecurity measures to protect citizens and ensure the resilience of digital systems.

Next Steps

The strategy outlines measurable indicators and a national program of projects to ensure systematic implementation. It emphasizes the need for continuous evaluation and adjustment based on feedback and evolving digital trends. Funding will be sourced from the national budget, European funds, and other international programs.