Reducing bureaucracy by 21 points: Latvia's government drafts a plan for streamlining administrative procedures
In a bid to streamline public administration and simplify interactions between citizens and authorities, the Latvian government has launched a comprehensive plan to reduce bureaucracy. The plan, which includes 21 measures aimed at minimising administrative layers and improving decision-making agility, was recently presented by a working group led by Director of the State Chancellery, Raivis Kronbergs.
The Artificial Intelligence (AI) Center is expected to play a significant role in this initiative. The centre is anticipated to coordinate and optimise talent deployment and supervision through AI-driven agile organisational methods. This approach supports more efficient, project-based work structures and leadership focused on coaching and development, which together can streamline administrative processes and reduce bureaucratic obstacles.
One of the key figures driving this initiative is Minister of Smart Administration and Regional Development, Inga Bērziņa, who has pledged to follow up on the main tasks of the AI Center. Prime Minister, Evika Siliņa, has also promised to cut bureaucracy by 25%.
The 21 measures, which are planned for implementation this year, are estimated to generate more than 40 million euros in benefits. Communication between private individuals and public institutions is set to be maximally digitalised, simplified, and accelerated. Another principle of the plan is to limit the number of reports and inspections.
Ministries and their subordinate institutions have been instructed to evaluate the received proposals for reducing the burden of bureaucracy by Midsummer. The working group will monitor the progress of the 21 proposals and the activity of ministries regarding the reduction of bureaucracy.
The plan also includes the centralisation of institutions, merging functions, cutting bonuses for bureaucrats, and imposing savings within the state budget—measures aimed at streamlining the public sector workforce and its costs. The coordination of these efforts through working groups and potentially a dedicated leader, possibly from the private sector, is also contemplated.
The Artificial Intelligence Center's role within these measures is not explicitly detailed, but the use of AI to enable seamless integration of work and development and better match skills to tasks aligns with the broader goal of reducing burdensome bureaucracy in public administration.
Whether this drive can buck the procrastination urge that often leads Latvians to use the refrain "I'll take care of it after Midsummer" remains to be seen. However, with the Artificial Intelligence Center's involvement and the government's commitment to reducing bureaucracy, there is a strong push to make administrative processes more efficient and less burdensome for all.
- The Artificial Intelligence (AI) Center, a crucial component of this plan, is anticipated to optimise talent deployment and supervision, enhancing efficient, project-based work structures through AI-driven methods.
- Minister of Smart Administration and Regional Development, Inga Bērziņa, is one of the key figures driving this initiative, pledging to follow up on the main tasks of the AI Center.
- The 21 measures, aimed at minimising administrative layers and improving decision-making agility, include digitalising, simplifying, and accelerating communication between private individuals and public institutions.
- The government has promised to cut bureaucracy by 25% and has instructed ministries to evaluate proposals for reducing the burden of bureaucracy by Midsummer.
- The role of the Artificial Intelligence Center within these measures is to enable seamless integration of work and development and better match skills to tasks, aligning with the broader goal of reducing burdensome bureaucracy in public administration.
