1. R O M Â N I A of Diana Voicu, MBA Director, Ministry of Communications and Information Society

2. The Information Society in Europe 2020 is founded on a raw deposit which we have to learn to engage, practice and share: knowledge. Where does the Knowledge Society begins? Knowledge transfer and knowledge sharing, to reduce digital divide. “Everyone knows that some things are unattainable, until someone else comes that does not know it and achieves it.” Albert Einstein

3. What makes some nations “richer” than others? I “You must be the change you want to see in the world” Mahatma GANDHI KEI – Knowledge Economic Index -country ’s overall preparedness to compete in the Knowledge Economy (KE). Pillars of the knowledge economy: Economic Incentive and Institutional Regime (EIR) Innovation and Technological Adoption Education and Training ICT Infrastructure Sweden1 Finland2 Denmark 3 Netherlands 4 Norway5 …………………… Romania ranks 44 (jumping 9 positions) KEI 2012 rankings

4. 1. Norway 2. Danemark 3. Australia 4. New Zeeland 5. Sweden …… 31. Romania Prosperity ingredients: Economy Personal Freedom Health Safety Education Governance Entrepreneurship *source: Research study, Christopher Chadler Legatum Grup, 2010 Which are “the happiest” countries in the world*?

5. KEP formed a strong coalition within each of the 255 communities who benefit from the Project, between 4 important nodes: school, library, Town Hall and Public Point of Access to Information (PPAI). Developing broadband networks

6. KEP Project embraces 255 rural communities from 38 counties, addressing to over 1,8 million people. 1,8 million citizens, 8% from Romania’s population. To whom we address ? Knowledge- deprived inhibitor factors. 255 librarians 8.900 teachers 90.000 students 255 public servants 510 LCeNs staff 900 entrepreneurs

7. A unique initiative in Romania, www.ecomunitate.ro is the most complex content site founded by the Government. The portal was launched in 2009 as the main communication tool for the Project.www.ecomunitate.ro What instruments do we use? This unequalled approach in Romania stands for a social network, where users transfer knowledge and generate digital content through WEB 2.0 technologies. > 2.500.000 visitors 1200 success stories 502 Schools 255 Libraries 255 Local Public Administrations > 2000 articles, news, events 9000 users 1900 educational materials > 300 blog posts

8. Out project lifecycle

9. Counseling services for accessing funds Assistance to local entrepreneurs (consultancy, web design) Which are the main smart services offered by KEP, in accordance with the Digital Agenda? IT&C training services professionally certified Assistance for online submission of files for agricultural funding Job Club assistance Online banking services Tourism information and promotion services Intelligent public service delivery. By introducing novelty solutions, every 255 KEP community delivers, basic and specific public services in correspondence with local and cross-over communities needs:

10. What are KEP’s directions in Education? Technical Assistance Project for IT&C use in schools and libraries. Alignment with European educational policies through IT&C solutions. Expected results: - National Guide for integrating IT&C in schools ; - National Guide for teaching, using Web 2.0 and OER ; Targeting 30% of disciplines learned with web 2.0 and OER in schools from 4 curricular areas. Counseiling and assistance for local schools in attracting external funds. Educational projects generation for building a higher pedagogical capacity. Designing skills incubators among every community that delivers Digital Agenda tailored- labels. Policy for introducing IT&C in pre-universitary education.

11. Entrepreneurship – economy’s engine Websites and online marketing support for businesses Assistance for farmers and entrepreneurs in accessing structural funds Enhanced access to knowledge and collaboration: Subsistence agriculture replaced by organic farming Turning hobbies into real business: beekeeping Promoting crafts in order to support tourism Grants for business innovation – e-Growth Business partnerships and public-private partnerships

12. Contributions for an European culture Delivering grants for deprived communities, in order to develop cultural projects by the public libraries and school libraries. Designing virtual artifacts based on local habits, traditions & patrimony and deliver them to Europeana platform. Exploring local cultural backgrounds for building cultural knowledge within an European habitat. Developing new digital services for the local libraries towards offering accessibility to eBooks, audioBooks and eBook Readers. Increasing the role of the local librarian from a provincial citizen, to a culturalized human resource, an important pillar for the community and its inhabitants.

13. Digital content and services shared through ecomunitate.ro portal, to build up a Digital Single Market. KEP and Digital Agenda for Europe 2020? Digital Single Market Interoperability and Standards Very Fast Internet Enhancing e-Skills IT&C for Social Challenges IT&C infrastructure for all 255 k-deprived communities – Fast Internet for fast access to information. Several waves of sociological Research - strong pillars for identifying Innovative solutions for bridging the digital divide. Trainings, seminars, webinaries – 1.8 mil citizens have access to Digital Competences and e-Skills through national professional certification. Smart use of IT&C and information sharing through ecomunitate.ro platform represents a novelty solution facing Social Challenges.

14. Who is KEP in the future? Digital competences and Assistive technologies for Ageing well Knowledge economy model extension in other countries Services and skills for an integrated unique digital market Customized e- services for citizens and businesses Trans-national development through euro-regional partnerships.

15. “Best Practice” Certificate at „European Public Sector Awards” (EPSA), European Institute of Public Administration, „Smart Public Service in a Cold Economic Climate” category, 2011 Laureate at the ComputerWorld Honors Program, Washington D.C., Digital Access category, 2011 Who recommends us? Awards and dissemination of Knowledge based Economy Project. Finalist at “International Project Excellence Award”, "Project Excellence in Medium- Sized Projects“ category, International Association of Project Management, 2010 Ist Prize at National Competition of best practices in Public Administration, National Agency of Public Servants, 2010 Medal at e-Inclusion competition organized by the European Comission, "Geographic Inclusion“ category, Vienna, 2008 “Project with best informational content" at Romanian IT&C Awards, Bucharest, 2006.

16. Our story... Thank you! The Knowledge Based Economy Program in not just about technology and broadband access. By providing knowledge and skills, useful services targeted to local needs, KEP generated positive, more pro-active attitudes and contributed to changing the mentality and culture of many stakeholders towards communication and participation in the life of the community, determined improved self-esteem and pride for local values, helped attract additional funds for infrastructure development and thus improved the living conditions. Thank you! diana.voicu@mcsi.ro www.ecomunitate.ro