More than 1,000 volunteers have registered for the GovITHub, less than two weeks after its release

GovITHub, released on August 4, 2016, is a governmental programme designed to bring together all those who want to make their contribution to improving the quality of online public services. It was received in a positive manner by the IT industry and entrepreneurial environment specialists home and abroad.

GovITHub is one of the projects whereby the Executive encourages entrepreneurial innovation and cooperation to overcome red tape obstacles and implement digital projects in the service of citizens. The programme is carried out by 10 grant holders for six months plus volunteers working eight hours a week.

In less than two weeks after the launch of GovITHub, 1,070 people registered, expressing readiness to contribute to open-source e-government projects. At the same time, 40 companies have voiced interest in supporting the programme and becoming partners of the Chancellery of the Prime Minister to develop information platforms in the service of citizens.

Of the more than 1000 applicants, the 10 grant holders and the contributors for each project will be selected by an IT specialists board –based on merit criteria and according to the proposals put forward by applicants. As far as project selection goes, special emphasis will be placed on the impact on citizens and feasibility of proposals.

The comments and registration of interested persons are analyzed by the team in charge of the GovITHub programme. To meet the users needs, a section was created on the platform: http://ithub.gov.ro/ which includes answers to the most frequent questions about this programme. All the other issues signaled via the platform form will be seriously treated, given the team’s willigness to capitalize on Romania’s remarkable potential in the hi-tech and innovation areas.

The Government has also reiterated its priority to improve efficiency in the interaction of the Romanian citizens with the public administration using the most up-to-date means and place Romania on a fast track to the digital future, adding that GovITHub is part of its array of measures in this respect.