Representatives of the Agency for Identification Documents, Registers, and Data Exchange of Bosnia and Herzegovina (IDDEEA) recently travelled to Finland for a study visit as part of the Twinning project “Improving the delivery of e-services: One step closer to EU digitisation standards.” This visit was intended to provide insight into the operations of important Finnish organisations that lead the digitisation of education and public administration. During the visit, the IDDEEA delegation visited HAUS, the Institute for Public Management in Finland, the Agency for Digital and Population Data, as well as the Finnish National Agency for Education. The visit allowed for the sharing of experiences and the acquisition of knowledge about how these Finnish organisations create effective data exchange platforms and digital infrastructure.
The HAUS Finnish Institute for Public Management was the initial and, simultaneously, the primary focus of the study visit. One of the top Finnish organisations, HAUS, is committed to enhancing public administration by enhancing the skills and abilities of civil servants. Through creative managerial and administrative abilities, the Institute aims to modernise management. The delegation from Bosnia and Herzegovina had the opportunity to learn about educational programmes that improve the competencies of public servants, and the special focus was on how HAUS consistently tracks technological advancements and innovations to boost public service efficiency.
The Digital and Population Data Agency of Finland presented its activities related to digital identity and citizen data management to the BiH delegation. Special attention is paid to Finnish solutions for a unique digital identity that enables easier access to all public services and ensures more efficient data management in state institutions.
The IDDEEA delegation also paid a visit to the Finnish National Agency for Education, which is regarded as a pivotal organisation in the evolution of Finland’s contemporary educational system. They learned about the tactics Finland uses to digitise education, particularly through online platforms and cutting-edge technology that provide high-level access to contemporary teaching methods.
The visit to these institutions gave IDDEEA representatives an insight into all phases of Finland’s path to successful digitization. Finland has set up a system that makes it simple and safe for authorities and individuals to use digital services, which speeds up procedures and lowers administrative challenges. Representatives of IDDEEA are aware of the difficulties Finnish institutions have faced during this process, and that can serve as a valuable model for them. The study visit to Finland allowed IDDEEA to acquire valuable knowledge that will contribute to the improvement of digitization in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Through the application of Finnish practices, IDDEEA has the opportunity to improve the work of the Agency, which would result in more efficient public administration and better services for the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina.