The Best Russian Gov2.0 cases

There is a persistence prejudice in the world that e-government development here in Russia has stalled. That Russia has no e-Government at all.

Last year I’m actively involved in eGov development in Russia and let me break that constant myth. We have now launched a united platform/incubator for e-government startups in Russia – gov2people.ru Russia has great possibilities – a large number of developers. Our IT could greatly improve situation in the eGov sector. As of today there is no perfect eGov model applied anywhere in the world.

We decided to collect all the social important projects that could be commercially successful and place them at one platform. We collect and add to the list all of the existing projects to date in the history of Russia: at first they need a unite single entry point. Some of them require lobbying at the government level and it is necessary to create the system and strategic communications for such projects. Placing the project on the site includes not only involvement in the All-Russian Gov 2.0 movement, but also lobbying its interests at the state level and the inclusion in the folder the Russian practices, which can be presented at the international level.

Moreover, we plan a number of offline activities to promote the projects and attract new developers. In general, the site works under the scheme of incubator. We do not just collect the information about projects, we help them to find funding, to choose an adequate business model to create a network of partners, to bring the project to the international market (if the project is really a breakthrough and solves the problem existing in the external markets). We want to create an environment, framework, working rules. We are engaged in fundraising for that projects.

Let me show you most prospective projects.

• The first great example are Russian-fires and holoda.info – the crowdsource platform that helps people affected by fires or frosts to get help. Those who need help - can report accurate data that they need. Those who want to help - can find the categories by which they can be useful, as well as to determine the closest place where they can help. These are the projects that made crowdsourcing in Russia more relevant and completely constructive
• Another successful example is StreetJournal project - effective tool of citizens interaction with authorities, organizations and agencies that are responsible for a certain area in the city. Users can quickly post information about their problems on a map. In fact it’s successful Russian analogue of SeeClickFix. Second similar Russian case is FixYourStreet
• Ryazan’s bus62.ru project. There is a technology within the project that allows the monitoring of public transport movement equipped with GLONASS sensors. The technology is now polished and there is a big company interested in that startup.
• Academy of Sciences made ​​the project of automatic sign language translation. If the project is going to be developed as a technology it could be sold to Finland where they have a commitment “to develop projects for people with disabilities”. Just one purchase by the Ministry could make the project commercially successful.
• Gde Casino is built on the principles of open source and crowdsourcing model, so it can grow up to infinity.
• Shtrafy GIBDD (traffic police fines) – is a convenient interface to a standard public service, with additional opportunities. It allows you to find if there are any fines of traffic police and pay the penalties online.
• Another famous Russian projects are RosPil and RosYama. The first one fights with corrupted authorities officials who are using public procurements for their personal gain. Another one is struggling with poor road conditions. Helps to direct road quality complaints, and further appeal to the Prosecutor's Office.
• Speaking of public procurements, IST-budget has been created to facilitate access to information for suppliers and principals. It is now free integrated information space to search and initial process of public procurements information in the country.
• Great and successful case Pravo.ru is an integrated aggregator of Russian regulatory documents. Users get free access to more than 5 000 000 Federal and Local laws, regulations, court decisions, etc. They have developed iPhone and iPad apps to ease the mobile access to information.
• Pravovoe Gosudarstvo project (Legal State) - bills and amendments proposal provided by Russian citizens. Crowdsourcing in the law.
• Nepofigizm service combining those who care for mutual protection of violated rights that helps to get legal advice on the problem.
• Another example is Effective.RF – an automated and complex system of public employees management competencies assessing to plan personal and group skills development.
• RusTurn service helps in signing-up for appointment in the Russian consular offices in Italy and Spain
• Every little helps the first Russian crowdfunding open platform

As you can see we are now covering a wide range of crowdsourced e-gov public services. I hope my article helps you to change your belief that there is no eGovernment in Russia. We DO have eGov! It is now developing and need your help to spread the word and information on its evolving.

You can find the full list of eGov and Gov2.0 initiatives here.