Vassilis Exarchos: Shaping the Future of Greece’s Public Administration Through Digital Transformation and Global Collaboration

EKDDA’s President on Modernizing Governance, Empowering Civil Servants, and Driving Innovation in the Greek State

Vassilis Exarchos, President of the National Centre for Public Administration & Local Government (EKDDA), is leading Greece’s public-sector transformation with a vision rooted in digital innovation, global collaboration, and citizen-centered governance. In an exclusive interview with CEOWORLD magazine, Exarchos details the initiatives underway at EKDDA, the institution’s pivotal role in public administration, and his ambitions for the future.

Founded in 1983, EKDDA has been Greece’s premier institution for civil-servant training and development. Its mission is to enhance the knowledge, skills, and professionalism of public-sector personnel while supporting evidence-informed policy-making and the adoption of international best practices. EKDDA works closely with leading Greek universities such as the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and Panteion University, and globally renowned institutions like LSE and INSEAD, to strengthen its educational programs and research initiatives.

Digital Transformation in Public Administration

Under Exarchos’ leadership, Greece has made significant strides in digital transformation. The government’s flagship platform, gov.gr, now consolidates thousands of services in a single portal. Efforts to increase interoperability, deploy artificial intelligence, and develop cloud infrastructures have also progressed, complemented by targeted upskilling of public-sector employees.

Despite these achievements, challenges remain, including enhancing system resilience, ensuring digital inclusion, and systematically evaluating reforms. EKDDA has been at the forefront of these efforts, providing digital-skills training programs such as “AI for All” in partnership with Google, and cloud technology programs with Microsoft. The National School of Public Administration and Local Government is also developing a curriculum centered on innovation, leadership, and emerging digital technologies.

Three Strategic Pillars for EKDDA’s Future

Exarchos’ vision for EKDDA is structured around three key pillars:

1. International Outreach and Connectivity: EKDDA aims to be a global hub for knowledge exchange, leveraging Exarchos’ roles on the Steering Committee of the European Group for Public Administration (EGPA) and as Vice-President for Europe at the International Association of Schools and Institutes of Administration (IASIA). These partnerships enhance EKDDA’s profile and facilitate collaboration with leading international institutions.
2. Digital and Innovative Training Methods: Modernizing how public servants learn is a priority. EKDDA integrates blended-learning methodologies, thematic workshops, policy-design laboratories, and conferences to equip civil servants with the skills to navigate complex challenges.
3. Human-Centric Public Administration: Recognizing that human capital is the state’s most valuable asset, EKDDA emphasizes training aligned with national strategies and legal frameworks, including Law 4940/2022 on performance evaluation and skills development. A notable initiative is a large-scale program for 40,000 municipal employees aimed at improving digital, administrative, and operational competencies.

Global Partnerships and Knowledge Exchange

EKDDA maintains active collaborations with leading European and international institutions, including EIPA, DISPA, OECD networks, and bilateral partnerships across France, Portugal, Italy, Spain, and the Western Balkans. These collaborations bring valuable feedback and best practices to EKDDA, enabling the adoption of innovative training methods and policy tools to professionalize Greece’s civil service.

Envisioning the Greek Public Administration of the Future

According to Exarchos, the future Greek public administration will be digital, agile, and citizen-centered, with data-driven decision-making, AI, automated workflows, and digital service platforms reshaping the operational landscape. Yet, the human dimension—leadership, empathy, collaboration, and problem-solving—will remain indispensable.

EKDDA has already trained over 250,000 civil servants under the Recovery and Resilience Fund, demonstrating its pivotal role in creating a modern training ecosystem. The institution continues to prepare civil servants with the technical skills, administrative competence, and public-value mindset necessary for a responsive, transparent, and participatory administration.

Exarchos’ leadership positions EKDDA as a catalyst for innovation, ensuring that Greece’s public administration evolves to meet societal needs while investing in people, technology, and global knowledge exchange. His vision combines modernization with human-centric governance, reinforcing EKDDA’s mission to shape the public servants of tomorrow.