There are sizeable benefits to be realized from this form of collaboration in relations linked to investments, cost efficiencies, access to resources, capacity and competency. It is often challenging for small and medium sized municipalities to attempt covering requirements for competency and capacity. To acquire, maintain, manage and develop digital services on their own whilst larger municipalities lack solid financing to complete desired activities and action plans. By collaborating municipalities will be able to work together to realize each othersÕ requirements and goals.
The agreement between Stavanger, Bergen, Fjell and lesund regulates management, operation and further development of the solution. The foundation of the agreement has allowed the municipalities to establish a solid governance model, which, in conjunction with operation and development is good basis for further innovation and development of the product.
A step in the further development of Active Municipality has been a strategy process in the municipality of Fjell named eCultura Ð Be the future! This strategy focused on design of services from the perspective of the resident and users of the solution. The process pointed to the need for a sustainable further development of the solution Active Municipality where automatization was strongly in focus. The goal was to automate where possible to free up human resources both in the public sector and for the resident. The further development of Active Municipality, the digital foundation, was to ensure the public sector surfed the wave of digitization without getting washed ashore after.
To further develop the symbiosis between small, medium and large municipalities in collaboration with the private development sector was viewed to be favourable in the new times we were facing. Active Municipality is functioning according to these visions today, appearing as a safe, innovative and dynamic solution for all parties according to prerequisites. The solution has been promoted in several cities both domestic and international and presents itself as a sought-after model and solution.
Other municipalities and public agencies can subscribe to the solution by entering into user agreements. A standardized concept allows new members the advantage of implementing a comprehensive solution, not just a digital platform. If digital solutions are to be effective and generate necessary economics of scale and benefits, they must be a part of working process. There will be significant efficiency benefits by establishing best practices and standardized working processes. The concept includes pricing for service, optimized processes, role and role descriptions, standardized routines, procedures, user manuals, training program etc.
The collaboration concept is an important base for future services. There are dialogues for expansion of collaboration where we will reuse the model including methods and methodology.