The European Commission on 09/07/2003 proposed the adoption of a new programme to deliver pan-European e-government services to administrations, businesses and citizens. Called IDABC (Interoperable Delivery of pan-European eGovernment Services to Public Administrations, Businesses and Citizens), the new programme will be a follow-up to the existing IDA (Interchange of Data between Administrations) programme that supports the electronic exchange of information between Member States' administrations and the European institutions (and of which the eGovernment Observatory forms part).

This announcement comes one day after the European eGovernment Conference held in Como, Italy, and echoes the call by the 30 ministers from the EU, EFTA and accession countries participating in the event to develop pan-European e-government services based on cross-border interoperability. The new programme will therefore focus on the need for administrations, businesses and citizens to interact electronically with government and public sector bodies across national borders. It will cover the objectives of the current IDA programme but will have a broader focus and will also aim to establish pan-European e-government services for businesses and citizens.

The Ministerial Declaration agreed in Como has called for the Commission and the Member States to agree on a list of e-government services for which pan-European interoperability is needed. The IDABC programme will develop and deliver the necessary infrastructure services based on European interoperability guidelines, to support the exchange of data and services. Such interoperable networks and services will allow Europe's businesses and citizens to interact electronically across Europe's borders with administrations in any Member State, thus bringing the single market into a new dimension.

The IDABC Programme will be launched on 1 January 2005 subject to its formal adoption by the European Parliament and the Council.

Further information:

• Press release of the European Commission
• Commission Proposal for a Decision of the European Parliament and of the Council on Interoperable Delivery of pan-European eGovernment Services to Public Administrations, Businesses and Citizens (IDABC),
• IDA Programme