Edge Institute report: Romania scores only 3.1 out of 10 on digital governance – what solutions the reference framework proposes

Edge Institute, in partnership with Digital Nation (Estonian experts in digital transformation), has published the report ‘Digital Governance Framework in Romania’, a comprehensive analysis assessing Romania’s digital governance performance at a score of 3.1 out of 10. 

The report examines the country's institutional structures, strategic direction and capacity to coordinate digital transformation across public administration. Its methodology combines an assessment of 12 governance pillars with research into national and international frameworks and interviews with 19 key organisations from public administration, the private sector and civil society.

The main challenge identified is the fragmentation of digital leadership: the lack of a unified national strategy, limited capacity of Coordinating Authorities and the absence of a coherent political vision. The report proposes a four-level governance model: political leadership, non-political strategic leadership, high-level digital board, and implementation capacity.

Strengthening leadership and coordination

Key recommendations include lifting the responsibility for the digital transformation to the level of a Deputy Prime Minister and acknowledging that digitalisation is “an exercise in organisation and governance, not in technology”. 

The report emphasises the need for clear leadership, dedicated teams and stronger coordination mechanisms to ensure that digital transformation becomes a consistent government-wide priority. It also highlights the importance of developing integrated public services that respond to the needs of citizens and businesses, rather than maintaining fragmented systems across individual institutions.

The report was presented at the first edition of the Digital Governance Summit, organised by the Edge Institute on 25 November 2025 at the Cotroceni Palace, under the High Patronage of the President of Romania. The summit was attended, among others, by Toomas Hendrik Ilves (former President of Estonia) and Janusz Cieszyński (former Polish Minister of Digitalisation).

Public expectations for digitalisation

An associated study by Edge Institute and AtlasIntel shows that 84% of Romanians consider the pace of public digitalisation slow or very slow. This finding reflects the gap between citizens' expectations and the progress of digital public services, reinforcing the need for a more coordinated approach to modernising public administration. Improving the accessibility, efficiency and integration of digital services remains essential to building citizens' trust and ensuring that digital transformation delivers tangible benefits in everyday interactions with public institutions.

© Image source: DSJP Romania official platform