WeGovNow meets up with OpenGovIntelligence and Simpatico

WeGovNow is one of three research & innovation projects funded under Horizon2020 call Euro-6-2015 "Meeting new societal needs by using emerging technologies in the public sector". All three started early in 2016 and run over three years. In mid-November, WeGovNow met up with the other two projects' coordinators in Brussels. OpenGovIntelligence, coordinated by the Centre for Research & Technology in Greece (CERTH), seeks to improve public services with multidimensional statistical data. It is based on the belief that novel approaches to collection and exploitation of data can support governments in co-production of innovative data-driven public services. Simpatico, coordinated by Fodazione Bruno Kessler (FBK) based in Trento, Italy, strives to improve the experience of citizens and companies in their daily interactions with public administration by providing personalised delivery of e-services based on advanced cognitive system technologies. To this end, Simpatico applies a solution based on the interplay of language processing, machine learning and the wisdom of the crowd – which is represented by citizens, business organisations and civil servants. The project comprises three pilot sites in Trento (Italy), Galicia (Spain) and Sheffield (United Kingdom). All three projects agreed that they wish to liaise closely throughout their lifespan in order to identify areas of common interest and exploit potential synergies.