The Path to Europe’s Digital Decade: The Strategic Plan for the Digitalization of Czechia by 2030

The Path to Europe’s Digital Decade: The Strategic Plan for the Digitalization of Czechia by 2030
is a framework aimed at enhancing the digital capabilities of Czechia in alignment with the EU’s digital objectives set for the year 2030. The plan was prepared based on the EU Decision 2022/2481 and sought to integrate and build upon existing national strategies. It is coordinated by the European Digital Agenda Unit within the Cabinet of the Deputy Prime Minister for Digitalization, which ensures a unified approach across various sectors.

Goals and objectives

The plan outlines specific national measures to achieve the EU’s digital decade objectives which include:

• Measure 1: Implementation of the revised ICT curriculum for primary schools and multi-year grammar schools with an emphasis on the development of digital skills and computational thinking in teaching (cross-cutting).
• Measure 2: Drafting a revised Framework Education Programme for Primary Education reflecting the use of AI in teaching.
• Measure 3: Preparing a revision/update of the FEP for secondary education.
• Measure 4: Expanding the range of programmes for the development of basic and advanced digital skills for the public within the framework of activities supported by the National Recovery Plan (MoLSA e-shop) and preparing an awareness campaign.
• Measure 5: Reforming undergraduate teacher preparation and developing graduate competency profiles in teacher preparation programmes.
• Measure 6: Expanding the range of teacher education programmes (including online) focused on the development of digital skills in the context of the FEPW and linked to the use of diagnostic/auto-evaluation tools.
• Measure 7: Introducing a contribution to the payment for digital training courses (pilot testing of a new active labour market policy)
• Measure 8: Creating a repository of certificates and a portal offering micro-credentials in cooperation between higher education institutions and the Czech National Agency for International Education and Research.
• Measure 9: Expanding the range of courses in the field of digital skills development for employees.
• Measure 10: Expanding the range of study programmes at higher education institutions with a focus on ICT and cybersecurity, e.g. using a combination of full-time and distance learning.
• Measure 11: Taking into account the requirements for improving the training of ICT/cybersecurity professionals (with an emphasis on increasing the representation of women in this field) in the framework of the planned innovation of the subject-area system.
• Measure 12: Providing digital tools and aids for pupils from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds in schools.
• Measure 13: National RIS3 Strategy.

Structure of the plan

The plan is divided into several parts:

• Part 1: Analysis of the current state of digital transformation
• Part 2: National trajectories and targets
• Part 3 to 4: Policies, actions, and steps to achieve these objectives
• Part 5 to 7: EU cooperation, stakeholder feedback, and overall impact

Implementation and monitoring

Implementation responsibility lies with specific ministries and agencies. For instance, the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports is tasked with digital skills, while the Ministry of Industry and Trade handles digital infrastructures. The document emphasises the need for regular updates and iterative improvements, with the first update scheduled for 2024.

Challenges and strategic adjustments

The plan acknowledges the challenges faced, such as the need for enhanced ICT professional skills and better connectivity. It also points out the strength of existing digital education and infrastructure initiatives that could serve as a base for future improvements.

Funding and resources

Key measures and their funding sources are detailed, highlighting both national and EU-level funding mechanisms to support the digital transformation. Total public investment of CZK 10,193.1 million, sourced nationally as follows:

• CZK 28.1 million directly from the State budget.
• CZK 9,650 million from the National Recovery Plan (NPO), with CZK 9,640 million allocated.
• CZK 515 million from the NPO and the State budget.

Stakeholder involvement and feedback

Input from stakeholders is considered crucial for the iterative improvement of the plan, with structured feedback mechanisms in place to integrate stakeholder insights into policy development.