What is interoperability?

Interoperability has been presented in the specific context of the public service delivery in Bulgaria.

Although public service delivery almost invariably involves data exchange via ICT, interoperability is a broader term that designates the capability of organisations and administrative units to work together in order to achieve mutually beneficial and coordinated common goals.

Interoperability in the context of public service delivery in Bulgaria means the ability of different and varied public sector organisations to interact and cooperate in order to achieve mutually beneficial and coordinated common goals, which includes the exchange of information and knowledge between organisations through the business processes maintained and ICT-based data exchange between the respective systems.

Interoperability is multifaceted and is best understood as the shared value of a community.

Interoperability framework

The interoperability framework is a coordinated approach for interoperability for organisations willing to work together to achieve joint public service delivery. Within its scope of application, it defines a set of common elements, for example glossary, concepts, principles, policies, guidelines, recommendations, standards, specifications and practices.

The interoperability framework acts as guidelines in the development of statutory acts on IT in the public sector and the design of IT solutions and IT procurement tenders.

Interoperability levels:

♦ Level of legal interoperability.

♦ Level of organisational interoperability.

♦ Semantic interoperability.

♦ Technical interoperability.

Bulgarian National Interoperability Framework Draft (BNIF)

The National Interoperability Framework (BNIF) for Information Systems of Executive Authorities is a draft document for a medium-term strategic document for implementation of the goals and objectives of eGovernance Development Strategy 2014-2020. The aim of the interoperability framework is to facilitate public sector operation and to increase public sector efficiency in Bulgaria by improving the quality of services provided to Bulgarian and EU citizens. The specific objectives of the framework are the following:

♦ To contribute to the development of a service-centred community, where all citizens and enterprises can communicate with the state without having to acquaint themselves with its hierarchical structure and division of roles;
♦ To contribute to greater transparency of information related to political decisions on public information systems;
♦ To support the joint delivery of services in the public sector;
♦ To create conditions for free competition in the development of information and communications technology (ICT) at the administration;
♦ To reduce and optimize public sector IT expenses;
♦ To promote and support the delivery of public services in Bulgaria by fostering cross-border, cross-sector and cross-organisation interoperability;
♦ To guide Bulgarian public administrations in their work to provide public services to businesses and citizens.

eGovernment Act

The eGovernment Act and its existing regulatory framework set the requirement for the provision of internal electronic administrative services and the exchange of electronic documents between administrative authorities under the conditions of interoperability as well as the requirement of uniform standards and rules and semantic interoperability.

These requirements for the provision of internal electronic administrative services also applied to public service providers and to public service organizations unless otherwise provided by law. The Chairperson of the SEGA shall ensure the integration of the information systems of the administrative bodies with those of the Member States of the European Union to enable the provision of cross-border electronic administrative services.