29/12/2008

Information on the priorities and programmes that are planned in the framework of the Digital Strategy are presented in full on the internet site of SMS ?Digital Convergence? (www.infosoc.gr), in the module "Digital Greece 2007-2013? Interested parties can get information about the targets of the National Strategic Reference Framework 2007-2013 the ?Digital Leap? and the convergence of Greece and the countries within and outside the EU, the budget per action and region, the directions, invitations to tender, etc.

With the support of the program?s funding tool, "Digital Convergence" aims to exploit the information and communication technologies (ICT) for the daily needs of citizens and enterprises through the completed interventions called ?Action Threads?. In contrast to older policies, in which there were successful, but fragmented and isolated technological actions, the Threads promote groups of actions that work towards clearly defined targets and co-operation with other initiatives.

The budget of the total public expenditure of the Operational Program is 1.147 million euros for the period 2007-2013. The general aims are the improvement of productivity and quality of life via ICT. The nine Action Threads cover the following sectors:

- Digital knowledge: digital access to more knowledge, over and beyond the official educational procedure
- Digital consumer: electronic updating for consumers of the predominating prices, cheaper and better electronic purchases
- Digital protection of the natural environment: electronic monitoring and prevention of disasters in the natural environment, digital actions for energy conservation, observation of energy efficiency, actions for civil protection, etc.
- Digital safety: actions for reinforcing the trust of citizens and enterprises in the new digital media and digital safety.
- Digital support for work: actions for the support of job finding, access to work in a more efficient manner, more effective use of public transport, development of digital services which facilitate work, offer of work from enterprises exploiting new technologies, etc.
- Digital support for ?Well-being?: ICT for entertainment, culture, sports, tourism, health as well as every other activity that improves the life of the citizens, saves time and facilitates their daily entertainment and other activities
- Digital support to promote greater social and economic participation: actions for the incorporation of deprived social groups as well as citizen groups that exhibit a lower percentage of participation in Digital Greece
- Digital support for extroversion: reinforcement of entrepreneurial extroversion outside the local/national market, networking with dispersed Greeks
- Digital periphery: ICT for demonstrating the unique local characteristics of each region.

The Programme is focused on eight regions aiming at concrete convergence (Eastern Macedonia, Thrace, Thessaly, Epiros, Western Greece, Peloponnesus, Ionian Islands, Crete, Northern Aegean) and incorporates developing and regional dimensions of ICT in all 13 Regions of the country via actions in the Peripheral Operational Programs.

Source: National Strategic Reference Framework 2007-2013 the ?Digital Leap