The European Union and the Government of Timor-Leste Launch a €3 Million Project ‘DALAN BA DIGITAL’: A New Path for Digital Citizenship in Timor-Leste”
The European Union signed a €3 million Contribution Agreement with UNDP to support Timor-Leste’s digital transformation toward a more efficient, transparent, and accessible government. Over the next three years, the project will modernize public services, promote inclusive development through digital tools, and help Timor-Leste align with ASEAN and global standards under the Partnership for PFM and Digital Transition in Timor-Leste (PADIT-TL).
The Ambassador of the EU to Timor Leste, Mr. Thorsten BARGFREDE, stated: “DALAN BA DIGITAL will promote good governance, enhance human capital development, and indirectly foster economic development by increasing efficiency, transparency, and accessibility. A country that embraces the challenges and opportunities of digitalisation is more likely to thrive, by boosting innovation, and competitiveness, while one that does not risk being left behind. Digital technologies will serve as a bridge to greater opportunities, inclusivity, and development.”
H.E. Sérgio de Jesus Fernandes da Costa Hornai, Minister of Justice, stated, “In today’s world, digitalization is essential to ensure efficiency, effectiveness, speed, and transparency in public administration. The digitalization of public services is especially important, and the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of State Administration are working together through the Balkaun Úniku to provide key services such as passports, birth certificates, citizenship cards, and other essential legal documents.”
H.E. Tómas do Rosário Cabral, Minister of State Administration, emphasized the preparations for the upcoming Municipal Elections in 2027, key to advancing local governance. The Minister underscored the importance of continued capacity building and digitalization initiatives to strengthen the efficiency and responsiveness of local institutions, and encouraged donors, development partners and all relevant stakeholders to work together to ensure synergies and maximise the impact of the project.
UNDP Resident Representative Ms. Katyna Argueta stated that digital transformation is not just about technology. It’s about mindset. It’s about leadership, policy, and a clear commitment to inclusion. We must ensure that no one is left behind, not the elderly, not the rural communities, not those without digital literacy.
Mr. Bruno de Lencastre, UNDP Chief Technical Advisor for Governance and Inclusive Democracy, presented the key components and the objectives of the project as follows: (i) establishing an enabling legal and policy framework for digital governance, (ii) improving digital infrastructure and interoperability platforms (e.g., Balkaun Úniku), (iii) building digital literacy and skills of civil servants and people, (iv) developing digital service blueprints and platforms tailored to the needs of citizens, and (v) promoting inclusive, rights-based, and gender-sensitive digital public service delivery.
The Ambassador of the European Union in Timor Leste concluded by reaffirming the European Union's commitment to the people of Timor-Leste and to creating an inclusive state where every Timorese citizen can access necessary services, participate more fully in public life, and build a better future for themselves and their communities.
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