Keeping up with the changes that new technology brings is difficult for anyone. It’s even more challenging for public sector organisations: with increasing demands and financial pressures, it is not straightforward to find the skills for digital-led change, or to make the case to invest.

The way we live and interact with the world around us has changed out of all recognition in the last few decades as a result of new technologies. Council, health and other government services risk being left behind unless they can take advantage of digital technologies to rewrite their business models.

The potential for digital reforms across public services is huge and there are great examples to follow. DVLA worked with the Government Digital Service to redesign its core processes. As a result they have abolished the paper tax disc, saving the government and businesses millions a year by going digital. New York City is using data analytics to massively boost the impact of its buildings inspections.

The Welsh Government has launched a new Digital Innovation Fund of £250,000 to boost public service capacity in developing digital services across Wales. Nesta and Cardiff University’s Y Lab are delighted to be working in partnership with the Welsh Government to deliver the Fund. This experimental approach will test ways to boost the skills and knowledge of digital innovators across the country, trial new approaches to digital leadership, and invest in priority demonstrator projects.

We’ll be releasing more details about the fund later this month, so watch this space to see how you can get involved.

Contact

Simon Brindle, Director, Y Lab

[email protected]