Later this year, the first training program in Smart Territories for Public Administration will begin. This pioneering initiative results from the collaboration between the National Institute of Administration (INA, I.P.), NOVA Information Management School (NOVA IMS), and the Agency for Administrative Modernization (AMA, I.P.). The program aims to equip decision-makers, directors, and senior technicians of the Central and Local Public Administration with the most advanced strategies and tools for efficient and sustainable territorial management.

The course, focusing on digitalization, sustainability, and innovation, will explore how data can be used to improve citizens' quality of life and optimize public services. The goal is to create a training offering aligned with the National Strategy for Smart Territories (ENTI), with NOVA IMS responsible for the course's design and implementation.

Miguel de Castro Neto, Director of NOVA IMS, highlights the significance of this initiative: “The ambition to build smart and sustainable cities and territories, capable of ensuring quality of life and well-being for people, aligns with the goals of SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities. This largely depends on our ability to leverage the profound and accelerated digital transformation of our society.” He further adds, “For this to happen, the skills and qualifications of local authority personnel are critical. This initiative creates the necessary conditions for the significant challenge of the green and digital transition to become a genuine opportunity for a paradigm shift in the planning and management of our cities and territories."

Miguel Agrochão, member of the Board of Directors of INA, I.P., also emphasizes the importance of this project: “This is another crucial step towards realizing the vision of mobilizing Public Administration for knowledge and knowledge for Public Administration. It offers a unique approach with a highly innovative pedagogical methodology that is scalable and accessible to both Central and Local Administration. We are particularly pleased to once again bring together leading entities and the best specialists in the country to create a unique offering for Public Administration.”

João Roque Fernandes, member of the Board of Directors of AMA - Agency for Administrative Modernization, shares this view: “We believe that through this training program, available to the entire Public Administration, it will be possible to ensure the necessary skills to contribute to the successful implementation of ENTI. Training those involved in sustainable territorial management is essential so that, together, we can achieve the goals of this strategy across the country.”

The National Strategy for Smart Territories, part of Pillar III - State Digitalization of the Action Plan for Digital Transition, is a catalyst for the digital transition, aiming to position the country internationally in terms of territorial intelligence policies. This strategy seeks to develop smart and interconnected territories, promoting inclusive and sustainable economic development, with interoperable services centered on citizens and businesses, positioning Portugal as a digital reference country.

The collaboration protocol between the three entities was signed on August 2nd, and the opening of registrations for the Smart Territories Training Program is expected very soon.