Good examples of Human-Centric Governance

Here you will find good practice examples of human-centric initiatives from across the Nordic region.

The collection will be continuously updated, with a new example published after of each network meeting. During the meetings, the initiative will be presented in detail and participants will have the opportunity to ask questions and discuss with the people behind it. All network meetings are recorded, and the videos will also be made available here.

 

Titel/Example

Short description

Life Event: Death and Inheritance (Norway).

Making it easier for bereaved families by simplifying complex processes and sharing data across authorities. The initiative reduces bureaucracy during a difficult time and creates a more coherent public service experience.

Design System for Cohesive User Experience

A shared digital toolbox with UI components, guidelines, and patterns to ensure consistent and accessible digital services. Built openly with authorities across Norway, it helps break down silos and improve user experiences.

Programme to Promote Life-Event Based Digitalisation

Finland’s programme develops seamless digital services for ~40 key life and business events. Coordinated by DVV, it promotes cross-government collaboration and puts people’s life situations at the centre of digitalisation.

Example: Life Event: Death and Inheritance (Norway)

What is this initiative?

The life event death and inheritance is one of seven prioritised life events in Norway’s digitalisation strategy. Its goal is to make it easier for bereaved families by simplifying bureaucratic processes, enabling secure data sharing, and creating coherent services across multiple authorities.

How has the initiative evolved?

  • 2019: Included in Norway’s national digitalisation strategy.
  • 2020–2021: Mapping of user journeys, co-creation with bereaved families, and service design principles developed.
  • 2021: The Digital Estate project initiated, linked to updates in the Inheritance Act.
  • 2022: AI-based seamless service proof-of-concept tested in the Nordic DigiGov Lab.
  • 2025: Ongoing development and user-testing of the final service.

Contribution to human-centric approach

  • Services: Focus on the needs of bereaved families; reduction of complex, paper-based processes.
  • Governance: Digdir as national coordinator, horizontal cooperation between ministries.
  • Innovation: AI experimentation for seamless services, systemic design methods.

Learnings

  • Co-creation and mapping of real-life needs helped shape services that reduce burden on citizens.
  • Clear governance and designated coordination role were key.

Impact so far

  • Bereaved families experience a more coherent, predictable process.
  • Increased collaboration across agencies.

Remaining challenges

  • Developing sustainable governance models for the operational phase.
  • Ensuring inclusivity for all groups.

How could it become more human-centric?

  • Strengthen systemic design approaches.
  • Maintain dynamic governance structures that integrate user perspectives.

References

Example: Design System for Cohesive User Experience (Norway)

What is this initiative?

The Norwegian public sector Design System is a shared digital toolbox with essential UI components, guidelines, and patterns. Its aim is to support development of user-friendly, accessible, and consistent digital services across government.

How has the initiative evolved?

  • 2022: Opened for contributions, launched with 900 participants.
  • 2022–2023: User research identified key issues; collaborative guidelines created.
  • 2024: Expanded with developers from five organisations.
  • Ongoing: Maintained by a cross-agency development team coordinated by Digdir.

Contribution to human-centric approach

  • Services: Improves accessibility and inclusiveness by providing ready-to-use components.
  • Governance: Open development, product advisory board with 12 public agencies.
  • Innovation: Encourages reuse, experimentation, and open-source collaboration.

Learnings

  • Open communication and transparency fostered strong engagement.
  • Shared ownership increased adoption across agencies.

Impact so far

  • Hundreds of agencies using the system.
  • More consistent user experiences across digital services.

Remaining challenges

  • Sustaining cross-agency engagement.
  • Keeping guidelines updated as user needs evolve.

How could it become more human-centric?

  • Embed foresight and systemic design to prepare for future needs.
  • Expand support for co-creation with end users.

References

Programme to Promote Life-Event Based Digitalisation (Finland)

What is this initiative?
Led by the Ministry of Finance and coordinated by DVV, the programme aims to digitalise ~40 key life and business events by 2030. Its purpose is to create seamless services tailored to real-life situations, with strong emphasis on accessibility and inclusion.

How has the initiative evolved?

  • 2017: Initial life-event approach introduced.
  • 2022: Updated national strategy incorporated life-events.
  • 2022–2023: Strategic steering group and developer network established.
  • Ongoing: Prioritisation of events such as Death of a Loved One.

Contribution to human-centric approach

  • Services: Life-event focus ensures services align with people’s situations, not administrative silos.
  • Governance: DVV coordinates projects across ministries; cross-government steering group in place.
  • Innovation: Service design as a service; shared infrastructure (e.g., digital identity, authorisation).

Learnings

  • Cross-sector collaboration is essential but requires sustainable funding mechanisms.
  • Citizen involvement in legislative processes is critical for trust.

Impact so far

  • Prioritised events identified and addressed.
  • Service design capacity built across agencies.

Remaining challenges

  • Balancing cost efficiency with user-centred solutions.
  • Addressing data ownership and personal privacy issues.

How could it become more human-centric?

  • Deeper citizen involvement in co-creation.
  • Continued investment in shared infrastructure and inclusive design.

References

Share your good practice

Do you know of a project or initiative that advances human-centric governance, services, or innovation? Contribute to our growing collection of examples and inspire others across the Nordic region.

Submit your example:  DNordicDigigovLab@digg.se

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