Information Society in Europe: multiannual community programme 1998-2002 PROMISE

This Communication is drawn up in accordance with Article 8, 4 of the PROMISE Council Decision which stated that at the end of the programme, the Commission should submit an evaluation report on the best results obtained in implementing the programme.

The general aim of this final evaluation was:

(1) To examine the performance of the PROMISE Programme with reference to the programme objectives.

(2) To assess the impact of the programme for the European Information Society.

(3) To provide recommendations for the successor of the PROMISE programme.

Overall, the evaluation supports the Commission’s re-orientation of the programme in line with the eEurope 2002 Action Plan.

It notes that the programme had clear strengths and in addition that the refocus gave it unique value-added. Despite some criticisms related to the methodology followed, which are now being addressed through a much greater use of National Statistical Institutes, the benchmarking exercise was considered particularly useful.

The evaluation also acknowledges that the co-financing of conferences on e-government and e-health was a success with significant impact in terms of follow-up actions by national policy-makers. However, it recommends that greater efforts be made to support exchange of good practices and dissemination in a more integrated way. This recommendation is now being implemented through increased emphasis on the strategic aims of the studies that are financed, and specific attention to the development of good practice frameworks in egovernment, e-business and e-health.

The evaluation recognises that the Information Society Forum was a “successful initiative in the first years” of the implementation of the programme. It made important contributions in the area of social aspects and the demand-side of ICT for consumers and citizens. The work of the eEurope Advisory Group under MODINIS can be seen as a continuation and an improvement of the role played by the IS Forum.

Lastly, the recommendations on the management of the MODINIS in the light of the PROMISE experience have been followed through with a clear role for the management committee in the implementation of the eEurope strategy.