Public Innovation Day 2026 (NHO26) took place on May 6 and was organized by Fjársýslan (the Icelandic Financial Management Authority). Nearly one hundred participants attended the event. The theme of the day was comprehensive improvements in public administration, with a particular focus on how innovation and strategic procurement can contribute to better services for citizens and businesses.

Ingþór Karl Eiríksson, Director General of Fjársýslan, welcomed guests before a diverse program began, featuring lectures, practical case studies, and the presentation of the 2026 Public Innovation Awards.

Public Innovation as a Key to Better Services

In his opening remarks, Daði Már Kristófersson, Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs, emphasized the importance of innovation in public administration, stating that public innovation is “a priority area that we want to work on and build support for so that we can collectively achieve better results.”

The keynote address was delivered by Hessel van Oorschot, Director of the Dutch collaborative platform SiR Intergov for innovative procurement. He discussed the importance of public entities focusing on identifying the challenge that needs to be solved rather than defining the solution too narrowly from the outset. This approach creates room for the market to develop more creative and effective solutions.

New Solutions in Government Operations

Sigurjón Einar Þráinsson presented the project “Teaching an Old Dog to Ride a Bike,” demonstrating how Orrinn — the Icelandic government’s finance and HR system — has been further developed to support digital corporate card solutions and increased automation in the operations and accounting of government institutions.

The project has been carried out in collaboration with innovative fintech companies and opens new opportunities for government institutions to leverage rapid technological advances in financial services.

Anna Sigríður Íslind also delivered a presentation in which she shared five short stories from research and development projects in healthcare and welfare services. She emphasized the importance of integrating procurement and implementation into the development process from the beginning so that innovation results in real improvements in public services.

2026 Public Innovation Awards Presented

At the end of the program, the 2026 Public Innovation Awards were presented in a formal ceremony. Awards were granted in four categories.

Individual in Public Service

Þórdís Jóna Sigurðardóttir received the award for outstanding leadership in the digital transformation of Iceland’s education system. Under her leadership, numerous large-scale projects have become reality, including Matsferill, Mín miðstöð, and electronic upper-secondary school enrollment through Ísland.is.

Government Institution

Sjúkratryggingar Íslands received the award for its initiative in telehealth services through the “Húðvaktin” dermatology service. The project has improved access to specialist services across the country, shortened waiting lists, and enabled thousands of people to receive faster care.

Municipality

Þjónustu- og nýsköpunarsvið Reykjavíkurborgar received the award for its systematic and strategic approach to innovation in public services. The jury particularly highlighted the development of the SkólaBúi solution and the establishment of digital infrastructure that has become a model for other municipalities.

Honorary Award

Sigurður Magnús Garðarsson received the honorary award for decades of contributions to public innovation in infrastructure, energy, and environmental protection. Special recognition was given to his research and leadership in international geothermal collaboration, sustainable solutions, applied research, and support for the innovation ecosystem, including his role as chairman of the board of the University of Iceland Science Parks.

A Strong Platform for the Future of Public Services

In recent years, Public Innovation Day has established itself as an important platform for dialogue, knowledge sharing, and the development of new solutions in public administration. The strong interest and record attendance this year underscore the growing emphasis on innovation and collaboration in the development of public services in Iceland.