Portugal – Digital Transition Action Plan

• December 4, 2023
• Andrew

The Digital Transition Action Plan (Action Plan) approved by Resolution No 31/2020of the Portuguese Council of Ministersreflects the defined strategy for the digital transition of the country as set out in thestructure of Portugal’s digital mission. The structure of the digital mission in Portugal, while committed to the strategic objectives of the Plan, is responsible for ensuring the overall coordination of the Digital Transition Action Plan, ensuring links with the different structures involved in the measures, their implementation and reporting on the results of the Action Plan, as well as its promotion, both at national and international level, thereby actively contributing to its success.

TheAction Plan includes three main pillars of action:

1. Capacity building and digital inclusion

Theobjective of promoting initiatives that contribute to the development of digital skills in society at large justifies the adoption of measures specifically addressing the three defined sub-pillars: 

Digital education –the integration of technologies is the different school fields of basic and secondary education aimed at improving the quality of lifelong learning, as well as innovation and development of the education system, providing children and young people with full personal and professional fulfilment. As well as equal opportunities in access to quality digital educational equipment, resources and investment in the digital skills of teachers and trainers in the context of the training modalities of the national qualifications system.

Vocational training and reskilling – broadening the training offer of higher education institutions and addressing them towards businesses, ensuring the response to specific labour market needs in terms of digital skills. Vocational training responses, including reskilling of employed or unemployed workers, favouring digital employment and ensuring that the impact of automation on the labour market is minimised.

Digitalinclusion and literacy –actively contribute to adult training in basic digital skills, reducing the share of the Portuguese population that does not reap the benefits of digitalisation in different areas, including communications, access to information and the use of public digital services.

2. Digital transformation of businesses

With the support of the hubs, SMEs will be able to test new digital technologies, access advanced digital skills and obtain specialised training, advice and access to finance needed for their digital transition, promote collaboration with other SMEs, large companies and entities from the research and innovation ecosystem.

3. Digitalisation of public services

Public services that better serve citizens every day must focus on the accessibility of communications, providing access to opportunities created by new digital technologies for all, especially persons with disabilities. This development will always have to meet existing accessibility requirements for public bodies’ websites and mobile applications.

The Digital Transition Action Plan is available in English and Portuguese.