The Significance of the European digital strategy in the con-text of digital transformation

LTRaktiniai žodžiai: Europos Sąjungos skaitmeninė strategija, skaitmeninė transformacija, viešasis sektorius, inovacijos, išmanusis miestas, miestų valdymas, duomenų politika, dirbtinis intelektas, skaitmeninė strategija, didieji duomenys, duomenimis grįsti sprendimai, strategijos įgyvendinimas, išmanusis valdymas, viešasis administravimas.

ENDigital transformation and data policy are no longer peripheral concerns but strategic imperatives at the heart of the European Union’s (EU) digital agenda. More than a technological shift, this transformation signals a fundamental change in governance logic—one where data-driven decision-making, cross-sectoral innovation, and inclusive design shape the contours of public service delivery. Anchored in the European Digital Strategy (EDS), the EU’s vision for a digitally resilient society is not merely a regulato-ry framework but a multidimensional blueprint that connects digital infrastructure with civic value. This article examines how such ambitions materialize on the ground through a case study of Vilnius City Municipality’s Smart City initiative, focusing on its Mobility Map project. Through the integration of anonymized real-time mobility data, the platform exemplifies the practical application of EDS principles: transparency, responsiveness, and citizen-centered governance. It also underscores the role of municipalities not as passive implementers but as strategic agents in shaping Europe’s digital transformation. Yet, the research highlights persistent asymmetries in local capacity, infrastructural readiness, and policy coherence. The EU’s digital vision often collides with on-the-ground realities, from fragmented data systems to ethical dilemmas surrounding automation. The study argues that sustainable and equitable digital transformation demands not only technical profi-ciency but also institutional reflexivity, ethical safeguards, and adaptive leadership. Vilnius emerges as a microcosm of both the potential and the complexity embedded in Europe’s digital future. Keywords:digital transformation, European digital strategy, smart cities, data-driven governance, urban mobility, digital infrastructure, smart governance, public sector innovation, local implementation of EU policy, real-time data analytics, citizen-centric services.