Data 4 All partners in Norway (Eigersund Municipality, Eigersund Næring og Havn (ENH) and the University of Stavanger (UiS)) work to make public data more accessible and improve the application for permits processes for businesses. An ecosystem around a centralized digital service will streamline the sharing and use of public data between local authorities and businesses. This will provide companies with easier access to necessary municipal services.
Currently the application process is complex and requires companies to use multiple templates and engage in lengthy dialogues, demanding both time and resources from the companies and the municipality. The necessary information is scattered across various platforms and domains. Ideally, an applying company would provide a brief description, press a button, and the system would then automatically gather all necessary information and conduct an initial quality check.
There is a lot of publicly accessible data that can benefit both municipalities and companies. This data will become available for the benefit of common sustainable development in the region through a common system or user interface. Users of such systems will therefore be municipalities and companies that intend to:
- establish new companies,
- renew companies or change location,
- promote network a partnership,
- change infrastructure (add capacity and identify limitations),
- gain access to more workforce,
- improve logistics of raw material and distribution of goods,
- improve handling of waste.
A joint platform will provide a publicly accessible information from several sources, make it visible and dynamically updated, combine needed information as well as make it possible to view or simulate consequences of decisions.
Rolf Andre Leidland, Project Manager at Eigersund Næring og Havn:
“The Norwegian pilot in Data 4 All has been a valuable journey in understanding the true potential of data for improving municipal services. We’ve learned that the key is not just collecting data, but making it accessible and actionable for local decision-makers.
One of the biggest lessons learned is the importance of challenging assumptions and validating the real needs before implementing solutions. This approach ensures that our efforts truly align with the needs of our communities.”
The Data 4 All partners and stakeholders are in dialogue with possible users and municipalities to improve the focus of the prototype of the system. This includes documentation of internal municipality processes as well as finding a suitable architecture for such a system.
By adopting this strategy, companies and municipalities can more efficiently use data to inform decision-making, ensuring a collaborative, secure, and adaptable data ecosystem.
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