Funded through the Erasmus+ programme, the initiative brings together universities, research centres and experts to examine the challenges of digital governance across Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean. The Policy Innovation Blueprint document constitutes one of the project’s most significant outputs and provides a strategic reflection on how both regions can jointly address the challenges arising from digitalisation.

While the project’s earlier publications focused on analysing and diagnosing digital cooperation between the regions, Blueprint sets out an action agenda, including the creation of a “Centre of Centres” for digital governance linking Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean. The proposal involves establishing a permanent network of universities, research centres and public policy laboratories across both regions.

“This report sets out the need to move towards stronger knowledge infrastructures and systems capable of listening, comparing evidence and learning continuously from the communities affected by regulatory decisions. We should not wait until regulations are in place before involving those affected,” states Ana María Castillo, lecturer at UIC Barcelona and one of the report’s authors. 

A context of technological complexity

The report identifies shared challenges for both the European Union and Latin America and the Caribbean. These include institutional fragmentation, difficulties in coordination between public bodies, asymmetries of power in relation to large technology companies and a lack of mechanisms to rigorously assess the real impact of digital policies.

An action agenda for digital cooperation

The report argues that neither region can address the challenges of digital transformation in isolation. It therefore proposes the joint development of governance infrastructures to strengthen the capacity of public authorities to respond. The first priority concerns the visibility of regulatory implementation, as the publication notes: “It is currently difficult to determine precisely how regulations relating to artificial intelligence, data protection or digital platforms are being implemented”.

The second priority is to build a shared evidence infrastructure, based on comparable data that no single country can produce on its own. The third focuses on strengthening the democratic legitimacy of digital policies by broadening the participation of young people, organisations, small and medium-sized enterprises and groups traditionally under-represented in decision-making on technological governance.

These actions are intended to foster stable, long-term cooperation between the regions, moving beyond reliance on temporary projects. With this report, the HEMISPHERES project reinforces its role as a platform for reflection and collaboration between Europe and Latin America in the field of digital policy. 

Participation at the second Hemispheres Forum

The second Hemispheres Forum took place in Rio de Janeiro from 1–3 June. It was attended by the project’s principal investigator at UIC Barcelona, Dr Ana María Castillo, and the vice-dean of the Faculty of Communication Sciences, Dr Núria Roca Trenchs. The forum featured public panels, private consortium sessions and roundtable discussions, bringing together more than 60 researchers, practitioners and institutional representatives from partner organisations across Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean.

The participation of UIC Barcelona in this initiative consolidates the university’s presence in international debates on digital transformation, technology regulation and public policy – areas that will play an increasingly significant role in shaping the societies of the future.

“HEMISPHERES is funded by the ERASMUS-JMO-2024-NETWORK Program. This report only reflects the authors’ view. The European Education and Culture Executive Agency is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information this report contains.” Además, deberá estar la bandera de la Unión Europea junto a esta declaración.