State Simplification and Technologies Network

The Council of Ministers has approved the establishment of the State Simplification and Technologies Network, a new governance framework designed to enhance coordination of the digital transformation of the public administration sector.

Reporting to the Minister for State Reform, the Network will be responsible for developing and implementing digital public services, as well as managing the State’s systems, applications and technological infrastructure across government.

How does this differ from the previous model?

With the coming into force of Decree-Law No. 85/2026 on 13 April, the Council for Digital in Public Administration was dissolved and replaced by the Coordination Commission for the Digital Strategy.

This new model introduces stronger strategic and operational coordination, thereby reinforcing the decision-making process and oversight of the state's technological investments. The aim is to promote a more integrated approach across public bodies, ensuring greater alignment in technology decisions and the implementation of shared solutions.

Rather than adding new layers of administration, this reorganisation aims to eliminate duplication, reduce fragmented investment and ensure the more efficient use of public resources.

Three-tier governance model

The State Simplification and Technologies Network is structured around a three-tier governance model:

1) Political leadership: responsible for setting strategic priorities and approving key decisions.

2) Executive Commission: Responsible for operational coordination, overseeing implementation and making critical decisions.

3) Specialised technical groups: Organised around key areas such as artificial intelligence, cloud computing, cybersecurity, interoperability and shared services, these groups provide technical analysis and submit recommendations to the executive commission.

This structure is designed to ensure continuous coordination between the political leadership, those responsible for operational execution, and those with specialised technical expertise.

The Digital Strategy Coordination Commission

At the core of this new framework is the Coordination Commission for the Digital Strategy, which plays a pivotal role in shaping and coordinating technology policy across the public administration sector. Its main responsibilities include:

• Aligning strategic technology investments;
• Promoting the adoption of shared solutions across public bodies;
• Strengthening interoperability between systems;
• Monitoring the evolution of the state's technology architecture;
• Assessing strategic projects, particularly those involving artificial intelligence and cloud computing.

The Commission brings together public entities responsible for technology, shared services, cybersecurity and digital transformation.

Prior assessment of strategic investments:

The new Network introduces mechanisms for overseeing and approving strategic technology investments in advance. In practice, public bodies planning to invest in new information systems, digital platforms or artificial intelligence solutions must submit their projects to the Network for evaluation.

This process is intended to ensure alignment with the state's technology strategy, avoid duplication of investments and support a more rational and coordinated approach to procuring and developing technology solutions.

Strategic framework

The creation of this structure is part of the implementation of the priorities set out in the Portugal Digital Strategy, the Digital Skills Pact and the National Artificial Intelligence Agenda.

Against the backdrop of state reform and the streamlining of administrative processes, this new governance model aims to provide the necessary political, operational and technical oversight to monitor implementation and accelerate the digital transformation of public administration.