Background:
The awards ceremony was part of the European eGovernment Conference at Villa Erba, beside Lake Como in Italy. Under the eEurope 2005 Action Plan, the Commission foresees a total of four separate award competitions in 2003-2005: two in eGovernment and two in eHealth. The present competition for the "eEurope Awards for eGovernment Applications" was launched though a public call to identify current best practices in the field. This led to 65 exhibits which were selected from 357 applications received.
The winners of the eEurope Awards are:
- a German initiative entitled "The role of eGovernment for European competitiveness" (integrated portal for eGovernment transactions, security and legally binding electronic signatures);
- an Austrian initiative entitled "A better life for European citizens" (online guide to authorities, offices and institutions);
- a Spanish initiative entitled "European, Central and Local Government e-Cooperation and Public eServices" (tax authorities provide electronic certificates)