Deliverable D1.1 - Network White Policy PaperThis project handbook aims to facilitate the efficient and effective operation of the NETEUCEN network project. The handbook’s sub-title helps the reader to understand better its purpose “NET-EUCEN Policies, Rules and Operating Procedures” It complements the contractual framework (Contract, Annex I and other guidelines) and describes the project structure and parties, communications, working methods, quality control and deliverable development, administration and reporting, and project meetings. This initial version may be updated as the project progresses and lessons are learned. The use of this document is specifically targeted to entering organisations that shall accept all the statement rules as first step in the network. The document describes the network scopes and management, with the specifications for network enlargement thanks to the inclusion of associated members. General behaviours, rules, policies and activities are described as well as the role of different partners’ categories. Communication and acknowledgement rules are described for each awareness activity An appendix “Introducing the NET-EUCEN network” is provided for awareness and marketing purposes, being the front-document that interested Organisations shall read to check and evaluate the network membership.This project is funded under the ICT Policy Support Programme (ICT PSP) as part of the Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme by the European Community. http://ec.europa.eu/ict_psp. The authors wish to acknowledge the Commission for their support, the efforts of the partners and the contributions of all those involved in NET-EUCEN.Network of European Stakeholders for Enhance User Centricity in eGovernanceNET-EUCEN_c9af50a8-07e4-11e1-bc45-1f167a64ea2aNET-EUCEN, the “network of European stakeholders for enhance user-centricity in eGovernance”, is a network of subjects all interested in the enhancement of the application of the user-centricity paradigm in Europe and shall be seen as a multidisciplinary eGovernment Community. NET-EUCEN has to be intended as a network of entities producing guidelines for usercentricity and assessed scenarios for innovative service provision in the field of S4U. As suggested by the title, the members of the network are Organisations; the network is composed by the whole supply chain and holds the capability to understand the technological and adaptability level of each existing solution, as well as the compliance with the actual needs and requirements for a user-centred vision. All the members share a mission: engage people and providers in defining and using innovative high added-value services enabling the fruition of public and private facilities. The NET-EUCEN network is built by 7 main kinds of participant Organisations. [Identified as stakeholders below.]Francesco NigliaAuthor, InnovaPaul Kidd Author, Cheshire HenburyLaura Schina Author, InnovaRichard Tedd Contributor, Birmingham City CouncilLouise Birch Riley Contributor, In-JetRyan Debattista Contributor, MITAViorel Gaftea Contributor, eDATAEuripides Loukis Contributor, University of AegeanLasse Bertzen Contributor, University of VestfoldPublic AdministrationsPublic Administrations which up to date the consortium in the latest policy developments in the area of ICT, eGovernment and Policy Modelling application and for partnership agreements, search for partners. The main reason to include PAs is to fully cover the value chain of S4U services with users and providers.Technology Transfer CompaniesTechnology Transfer Companies, which are the “glue” for the growing network and as “bridge” for the bilateral communication and assessment of developed scenarios. They provide new added value services based on best practices and knowledge in implementing ICT solutions or strategies. While all companies help sharing experiences, knowledge and good practices in ICT solutions and networking, each consulting company is an expert in a very specific area.IndustriesIndustries which are the main developers and providers of off-the-shelf or customisable solution for users and service providers, public or private. They act as technology analyst and support the scenarios in terms of analysis of technical feasibility.UniversitiesUniversities and Research Centres, which give support both in methodological approach toward the easy implementation of ICT solutions within the public governance and user communities, and more high level research solutions. Research CentresResearch Centres, specifically, input with their knowledge in state-of-the-art technology and potential foresight for scenarios development. They provide the consortium with transferable technology, research or hand-made solutions for providers and users, “giving” both advice and technology.eGovernment Policy Maker OrganisationseGovernment Policy Maker Organisations, including both public and private Institutions having specific knowledge of the issues related to user centricity in eservices (S4U) in their countries and at European level, as well as data protection Authorities. Their role is focused on the analysis of the best practices, the identification of R&D paths and scenario assessment, also at local level.Behavioral and Cultural Policy Maker InstitutionsBehavioral and Cultural Policy Maker Institutions, including both public and private organizations able to understand and analyse the users’ needs; they are involved in the scenarios analysis and guidelines outlining.User AssociationsUser Associations, including User Communities, mainly taking part to the IDONbased events to build potential scenarios as well as to assess them through the web campaign.NEPEGIn addition, the NET-EUCEN is supported by a board of experts, the so-called Net-Eucen peer review group: NEPEG - Expert, user behaviour analyst, psychologist, cultural mediator; this is the only category including physical persons. Experts are asked to release a short interview and to provide a peer review of the documentation produced by the network as well as to contribute in the guidelines definitionPeople and providers [are engaged] in defining and using innovative high added-value services enabling the fruition of public and private facilities._c9af5346-07e4-11e1-bc45-1f167a64ea2aTo describe the scope, the rules and the internal policies guidelines holding the NET-EUCEN network._c9af5544-07e4-11e1-bc45-1f167a64ea2aOpennessThe openness refers both to the enlargement policy that is pursued by NET-EUCEN and to the production of almost all results available to the Community at large. NET-EUCEN is an open network of organisations that, even though already including some major European players, had established an expansion plan to ensure a wide consensus to assess new scenarios for services to citizens. NET-EUCEN, indeed, needs to reach the widest and highest number of different participants (Organisations, Associations, experts, other projects, other networks) to validate developed scenarios and services. The network, therefore, targets at federating all committed eGovernment stakeholders in Europe, starting from the 23 Contractual Members and associating additional members joining the network after its contractual start. In this perspective, it is essential to give to all the interested Organisations the opportunity to contribute and participate in the Network activities. The policy envisages that Associate Members will be able to participate and to be involved in all the network activities and, as the Contractual Members, they will be allowed to vote on the General Assembly and participate to the General Meetings; furthermore, they have access to all network public deliverables, and are enabled to contribute to the NET-EUCEN activities. Each external organisation is enabled to ask for joining the network; eligible members are subjects and organisations that could actually contribute to the network objectives and, on the other hand, could apply these results in their own businesses. Furthermore, since the associated members receive no funding for their participation or travel costs associated with the network, their degree of participation to the network activities is up to each institution and is on a voluntary basis. Efforts are made to increase the network capability in attracting new Organisations, Experts and Policy Makers and to enlarge the programme constituency. Implemented activities aim to continuously raise awareness on programme characteristic and potential among policy makers, potential proposers and multipliers. Contacts and links within the constituency are encouraged as well to let emerge common needs and strategic joint lines of action. Networking services facilitate exchange processes within the NET-EUCEN network and with other similar networks and external entities dealing with policies for the improvement of public services provision at national level. A more detailed description of the procedures and targets is available in the documents D5.1 “Plan for network enlargement” and D5.2 “Protocols with eGovernment networks”CooperationThe cooperation Policy is based on the concept that “sharing solutions and experiences consolidates knowledge” and it’s meant as all the actions to be made towards a coherent and harmonised creation of added-value by and for all the network members. As first consideration, we must mention that Network members share knowledge and create innovative added-value content on the user centricity domain; this is the main benefit offered by the network to its members. The cooperation is made real and quantifiable by the following actions carried out by each member: * Actively contribute to the strategic decisions of the network; * Actively contribute to the achievement of network goals; * Participate to general meetings and local ones; * Contribute to the definition and the evaluation of user scenarios; * Act as first movers in case of application of scenarios; * Use and contribute to the document definition; * Use network’ results and brand having the same rights and duties of all the other members * Disseminate and speak on behalf of the network * Suggest and invite new members. Networking services facilitate exchange processes within the NET-EUCEN network and with other similar networks and external entities dealing with policies for the improvement of public services provision at national level. The final objective is to strengthen the NETEUCEN network capability in becoming a catalyst for participants to the eGovernment and policy programmes and to gradually increase the stakeholders base for the network. The Members’ Agorà is the virtual open space where every member can speak and publish its work as well as to start conversations with other members.User CentricityThis policy is one of the main characteristics of the NET-EUCEN network, the citizens (users) are seen as one of the categories of stakeholders that more influence the network’ results. NET-EUCEN involves citizens since all the planned results are targeted to improve the quality of life through the provision of better services or the optimisation of provision of existing services. Therefore, citizens must be seen as main source of information for services description and for services development check and first use. At this aim, the network had set-up three main channels of communication: the cooperative workshops and the online assessment of scenarios and services. Additionally, a webportal section called “citizens’ pages” has been published to gather ideas, information, troubles and wishes about the future. Thanks to the adoption of such actions, the citizens are enabled to “freely express themselves” so to know what actually Citizens want. * The IDON-cooperative workshops -- Enable a “think tank” about the future, avoiding any technology driven impact and let people freely express about current technologies; as consequence, service scenarios will be developed not forcing the existing technologies. The user-centric methodology followed in scenarios building workshops will ensure that everything will start from one or more users (also represented by users associations during the events) needs; each scenario will take into account the user requirements as main base for service development. * The online assessment of scenarios -- Enable an open discussion about the proposed solutions, with voting system and the possibility to gather comments. All the feedback is collected and submitted to the Public Authorities, Policy Makers and services developers during ad-hoc services assessment workshopsFairnessFairness among members: The adoption of Codes of Conduct is increasingly becoming recognised as a key means to increasing transparency. Codes of Conduct are important to set the tone for all and to indicate to third parties the standard to be expected from the NET-EUCEN Network. * Network reliability - Recruit motivated and suitable additional network members - Offer realistic visions to the users’ requests. - Be professional, serious, responsive and committed - Reply promptly * Network efficiency - Contribute to the continuous development of added value in the network - Provide complete and correct information on time - Share Best Practices - Maintain up-to-date status * To be pursued - NET-EUCEN members should pursue the following methodologies and behaviour: - Being active partner of the network - Reading running documentation - Provide feedback when required - Provide information to the public * To be avoided - We should eliminate the following Bad Practices from the network, as such behaviour is unacceptable in a Network (non-exhaustive list): - Offering unrealistic vision to the users / people - Not providing the full information required when responding to a request - Not providing own time for the network and its members - Deleting event participation without notice - Operating independently: pursuing your own objectives at the expense of the rest of the networkMacro-ObjectivesAddress three macro-objectives_c9af5648-07e4-11e1-bc45-1f167a64ea2a1The network addresses the following three macro-objectives. All these objectives will constitute a strategic base to be provided to policy makers and senior government officials responsible for commissioning and using evaluations of user centricity and related public engagement into the administration service shaping.Practices, Objectives, and MethodsSet-up a network composed by experienced S4U European Organisations, sharing common practices, objectives and work methods_c9af579c-07e4-11e1-bc45-1f167a64ea2a1.1Application ScenariosAssess new and innovative application scenarios and foster their industrialization, set-up all over Europe by supporting the multidisciplinary approach to the finding of innovative ICT solutions for citizens, public administrations and large communities_c9af58f0-07e4-11e1-bc45-1f167a64ea2a1.2Scenarios GuidelinesProvide the European Commission with a set of scenarios guidelines about the citizen needs in the medium and long term (5 to 10 years to come) by mobilising User Centric Services key-players._c9af5a4e-07e4-11e1-bc45-1f167a64ea2a1.3Performance IndicatorsProvide a set of key performance indicators._c9af5bac-07e4-11e1-bc45-1f167a64ea2a2As final target the NET-EUCEN project will provide a set of indications (key performance indicators) of the key issues for consideration when evaluating information, consultation and public participation, by offering also concrete examples drawn from already existing and innovative practices in the monitored countries.Co-operation and ClusteringPromoting co-operation and clustering approaches_c9af5d1e-07e4-11e1-bc45-1f167a64ea2a2.1* Involvement of major Associations such as NESSI-iGOV and, at least: 5 User Communities, 5 P.A.’s Associations * Involvement of SMEs and SW developers clustersNetworkEnlarge the dynamic network_c9af5e90-07e4-11e1-bc45-1f167a64ea2a2.2* involve in the activities at least 250 additional entities (industries, public administration, researchers, policy makers) (Measure of success in terms of actual number joining the network). * involve approximately 100 additional researchers in the project activities (Measure of success in terms of actual number of researcher involved). * involve all the European Countries with, at least, 2 Public Administrations for each of the 27-EC Country that will be included into the enlarged network and will be provided with the descriptions of the scenarios for a global feedback. (Measure of success in terms of actual number involved).Interoperability StandardsSupporting interoperability and standards._c9af600c-07e4-11e1-bc45-1f167a64ea2a2.3* Assessment of, at least, 3 performance indicators for eGOV and S4U policies and scenarios. * Promoting 8 cross-sectoral and multidisciplinary scenariosOptimisation and IntegrationIdentify next steps in terms of optimisation and integration_c9af6192-07e4-11e1-bc45-1f167a64ea2a2.4* At least 9 workshops including researchers and stakeholders * At least 10 results to be re-analysed by the researchers and R&D companies in the field of ICT for wide user acceptance technologies.S4U Based SystemsIdentify possible merging or scenarios for S4U based systems_c9af632c-07e4-11e1-bc45-1f167a64ea2a2.5* Use of scenario development techniques and validation by stakeholders and researcher * build 16 scenarios (8 based on current technologies + 8 based on potential future ones) (Measure of success in terms of actual number built).Market OpportunitiesIdentify market opportunities_c9af64c6-07e4-11e1-bc45-1f167a64ea2a2.6* Draft of at least 5 business models to be applied in the EU for the envisaged services * Draft of a market analysis including at least 15 best practices for S4U technology exploitation as useful reference points for S4U selected project industrialisation and /or applicationCostumersFind new/potential costumers_c9af666a-07e4-11e1-bc45-1f167a64ea2a2.7* Organisation and/or participation in, at least, 3 events for promoting the outcome and potentialities of selected S4U solutions * Find at least 10 different business stakeholders interested in apply the drafted business plans for identified innovative scenariosGuidelinesProvide the EC with a set of guidelines_c9af6822-07e4-11e1-bc45-1f167a64ea2a2.8EC* Validation of R&D application paths from stakeholders and researcher * Provide business plans for industrialisation and put in place of solution in at least 7 different European countriesAwarenessAwareness raising_c9af69d0-07e4-11e1-bc45-1f167a64ea2a2.9* Participation in at least 6 major EU events * Organisation of 9 collaborative open events * Organisation or participation to 12 dissemination local events2011-09-162011-11-05http://www.net-eucen.org/elgg/_beanactivepartner/NET-EUCEN_D1.1_Network%20White%20Policy%20Paper_2011.pdfOwenAmburOwen.Ambur@verizon.net