NATIONAL STRATEGY FOR INFORMATION SOCIETY DEVELOPMENT AND ACTION PLAN 52 The strategic efforts shall be implemented through activities and implementation of the following measures: 1. Sustainable development plans and ICT policies for the local self-Government units (this measure addresses the objective for support of the local communities in the creation of local sustainable ICT policies). Integration of the local self-Government units in the system of offering of e-services for the citizens shall be possible only of the transfer of knowledge, expertise and creation of respective polices and development programmes at local level is supported, which on one hand, shall reflect the local ambience and the needs, and on the other hand, shall initiate the application of ICT in providing for the economic development of the local community, as well as growth of the number and quality of the e-services accessible to the citizens at the level of access that is most natural - the local community. 2. E-points15 (this measure addresses the objectives: quality of the e-services, efforts for participation of the citizens, provision of continuous training for the citizens, and support for the local community) The local self-Government units in partnership with the other sectors shall ensure for the citizens to communicate with the institutions via electronic way, through the publicly accessible e-points. The employees in the e-points shall assist those citizens who are not technically ready, to acquire the essential skills. The local self-Governments shall make sure that it covers the biggest possible percentage of the distant locations with e-points, thus assisting the development of the rural area. 3. Public campaigns and training (this measure addresses the needs of the continuous training of the citizens for overcoming of the digital divide and providing support for the local communities). It is necessary to train the citizens and to sensitise them to the idea and to the need of creating the demand for e-services from the authorities. This shall be achieved through series of campaigns, training, modification of education curricula, and in partnership with the non-Governmental organisations. It is in the interest of the public, apart from the reforms in the educational system, to cover also those citizens who have completed their education, and do not posses knowledge of Information and Communication Technologies. It is necessary to acquaint the citizens with the basic knowledge of ICT, as well as with their rights and opportunities offered through the usage of e-services. In co-operation with the non-Governmental organisations, the public sector shall place a special focus on the target groups that are at great risk to be by-passed by the transformation of the system due to regional, social, educational cultural and other reasons. The NGO sector has a special role in the communication with these citizens. 4. Citizen's portal (this measure addresses the following objectives: quality of e-services, efforts made for participation of the citizens, good governance, continuous campaigns) The citizens' portal at all levels of Government represents a unified system of offers of e-services to the citizens with a single point of access and standardised layout. The citizens' portal shall respect the standards mentioned in this Strategy. 15 E-point - public Internet access point. NATIONAL STRATEGY FOR INFORMATION SOCIETY DEVELOPMENT AND ACTION PLAN

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