The first LORDIMAS report has been published recently. Developed by ESPON, this report leverages LORDIMAS data to provide an initial assessment of the digital maturity of subnational public administrations across Europe. The findings contribute to a better understanding of digital transformation trends at the local and regional levels.

The report is based on 99 responses from local, metropolitan and regional authorities across Europe collected from the launch of LORDIMAS in October 2023 until the end of 2024. This first report offers a comprehensive overview of digital maturity levels in European sub-national public administrations.

Key takeaways from the LORDIMAS report

The report highlights that: 

• Digital transformation is accelerating but remains uneven. While some cities and regions are advanced, others need additional support in terms of funding, capacity-building, and policy guidance.

• Engagement in EU initiatives is a key driver of digital maturity. Cities and regions involved in EU projects and networks (such as Living-in.EU) tend to demonstrate higher digital maturity levels, underscoring the importance of active participation in European collaboration frameworks.

• Future iterations of LORDIMAS should address participation gaps. To ensure a more balanced and representative assessment, future versions of LORDIMAS should aim for broader participation, particularly from smaller municipalities and underrepresented regions.

The LORDIMAS report serves as a baseline assessment of digital maturity in European cities and regions, paving the way for further analysis and targeted support mechanisms. Living-in.EU will continue to work closely with ESPON, the European Committee of the Regions, the European Commission and other stakeholder to refine and expand the tool. The Monitoring and measuring working group will continue to involve local and regional authorities to ensure that LORDIMAS remains relevant and beneficial for them. You can read the full report here.

Living-in.EU in the creation and uptake of LORDIMAS

The Living-in.EU Monitoring and Measuring Working Group, led by ERRIN, supported the creation and implementation of the tool. Since January 2023, the members of the group have been involved in:

• Shaping the maturity assessment questionnaire
• Engaging in ALPHA and BETA testing, providing feedback from end-user perspective to refine the tool.
• Launching a Call for Experts to co-design the next phase of LORDIMAS alongside local and regional representatives engaged in the digital transition. The call is now closed and applications are currently being evaluated. Experts will be contacted soon.