Ecuador launches Tinkuy, a programme for the digital transformation of the state
The Government of Ecuador launched the European Union-supported Tinkuy project on 12 February, aimed at accelerating digital transformation and improving the provision of digital public services. The project is implemented by a consortium of leading organisations: FIAP, e-Governance Academy, and CEDIA in close collaboration with the Ministry of Telecommunications and the Information Society. For the e-Governance Academy, Tinkuy represents its first-ever collaboration project with Ecuador.
The event was attended by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ecuador, Gabriela Sommerfeld; the Minister of Telecommunications and the Information Society, Roberto Carlos Kury; the Ambassador of the European Union to Ecuador, Jekaterina Doródnova; the Ambassador of Spain to Ecuador, Enrique Yturriaga Saldanha; as well as State authorities, members of the diplomatic corps, and delegations from institutions linked to the modernisation and digitalisation of public services.
Tinkuy is financed by the European Union with an investment of 5.6 million euros and will be implemented by the Foundation for the Internationalisation of Public Administrations of Spain (FIAP), the e-Governance Academy (eGA), and the Ecuadorian Corporation for the Development of Research and Academia (CEDIA). FIAP leads efforts in cybersecurity and digital governance. eGA supports the development of digital services and interoperability. CEDIA is responsible for data management systems and social information analysis.
Over the next four years, the project will strengthen digital governance, improve interoperability between public institutions, and enhance cybersecurity and data management, helping build a more connected, efficient, and sustainable public digital ecosystem. All these actions are aligned with the National Digital Agenda 2022–2025 and the National Development Plan 2025–2029, prioritising a citizen-centred public management approach.
“At MINTEL, we are leading Ecuador’s digital transformation with determination. Through the Tinkuy project, we are strengthening interoperability as the foundation of a truly connected and efficient state that ultimately serves every citizen better,“ said Roberto Kury, the Minister of Telecommunications and the Information Society of Ecuador.
“Interoperability involves the human dimension. It means that institutions connect and provide more transparent and efficient services. For the European Union, this process is part of a broader strategy that we promote through Global Gateway. This initiative represents a European commitment that is not limited to physical infrastructure, but also advances digital connectivity, institutional modernisation, and equitable access to the benefits of technology,” highlighted Jekaterina Doródnova, the Ambassador of the European Union to Ecuador, in her remarks.
„Estonia has built a transparent and efficient digital state, where 100% public services – from filing taxes to voting – are securely accessible online. We are proud to support Ecuador in developing citizen-centric digital public services,” said Margus Tsahkna, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Estonia, in his video message.
Likewise, the Minister Counsellor of the Embassy of Spain in Ecuador, Tomás López Vilariño, emphasised that the Tinkuy project “aims to improve public policies by introducing new tools and making better use of existing ones, ensuring higher-quality public services at the core of its political ambition.”
The name Tinkuy comes from Quechua and means “encounter” or “meeting.” In Andean culture, it symbolises the coming together of people, ideas, and forces to create something new through collaboration. This spirit lies at the heart of this project. The project’s title, Tinkuy, reflects the ambition to enhance the GOB.EC platform with a more functional and people-centred design, strengthen interoperability and data governance, reinforce national capacities in data protection and cybersecurity, and develop a data management system to track key information and support evidence-based decision-making.
Tinkuy is part of the European Union’s Global Gateway, which is strengthening connections worldwide by helping partner countries bridge the digital divide and integrate more fully into the global digital ecosystem. In Ecuador, Global Gateway supports major investments in clean energy, water and sanitation, regional interconnection, and sustainable development partnerships. Through this initiative, the European Union reaffirms its commitment to a more resilient, fair, and green future for Ecuador and the region.