The Norwegian Agency for Public and Financial Management (DFØ) has set up a virtual community (Erfaringsrommet). It is available to HR departments and the managers of government departments for discussions and experience-sharing for more effective interaction. The main topics are recruitment management, wage policy, the new challenges facing management and support for restructuring.

Under Poland’s impetus, a cooperation agreement with signatories from Bulgaria, Hungary and Latvia has led to an initial education and cooperation programme. Over a year, managerial staff in the public administrations of the four countries will be given training to bolster their leadership skills and establish new information exchange networks focusing on innovation and transformations.

Whilst data analysis is a prerequisite for strategic choices, powerful resources (using algorithm technology) can now provide real support for decision-makers. With a new Directive that has just taken effect, the federal government is looking to regulate this growing practice so as to ensure transparency, accountability, legality and procedural fairness.