Nordic Institute for Interoperability Solutions

{{Short description|Non-profit organization}}

The Nordic Institute for Interoperability Solutions (NIIS) is a non-profit established in 2017 by Estonia and Finland,{{Cite web |last=ERR |date=2017-06-16 |title=Estonia, Finland establish nonprofit for developing X-Road |url=https://news.err.ee/602573/estonia-finland-establish-nonprofit-for-developing-x-road |access-date=2023-03-19 |website=ERR |language=en}} with the mission "to develop e-governance solutions...with the X-Road technology used nationwide in the Estonian X-tee and in the Finnish Suomi.fi Data Exchange Layer services".{{citation |title=NIIS 2017 Yearbook |type=PDF}} It is funded by both countries, with around 1M€ annually. In 2019, Iceland was invited as well,{{Cite web |last=ERR |first=BNS {{!}} |date=2019-02-28 |title=Iceland latest nation to adopt Estonia's X-Road platform |url=https://news.err.ee/915067/iceland-latest-nation-to-adopt-estonia-s-x-road-platform |access-date=2023-03-19 |website=ERR |language=en}} and later the Faroe Islands.{{Cite web |last=Klatt |first=Karola |date=2020-09-10 |title=Estonia top of the (digital) class |url=https://www.socialeurope.eu/estonia-top-of-the-digital-class |access-date=2023-03-19 |language=en-GB}}

The NIIS manages, develops, verifies, and audits X-Road's source code; administers documentation, business and technical requirements; conducts development; develops and implements principles of licensing and distribution; provides second-line support for members, and engages in international cooperation.{{Cite web |title=Nordic Institute for Interoperability Solutions |url=https://niis.org |access-date=2018-03-17 |website=Nordic Institute for Interoperability Solutions (NIIS) |language=en-GB}} It also shares vendor training and certifications on its technology.{{Cite news |last=Kristiansen Nordhaug |first=Liv Marte |last2=Ngodup |first2=Keyzom |date=26 Oct 2022 |title=Building resilience with digital public infrastructure |work=Observer Research Foundation |url=https://www.orfonline.org/expert-speak/building-resilience-with-digital-public-infrastructure/ |access-date=19 Mar 2023}}

The institute has been coined as "a pioneer of cross-border e-governance solution" {{Cite web |last=Fourtané |first=Susan |date=2020-02-24 |title=e-Estonia: The World's Most Advanced Digital Society |url=https://interestingengineering.com/innovation/e-estonia-the-worlds-most-advanced-digital-society |access-date=2023-03-19 |website=interestingengineering.com |language=en-US}} and "a key component of its digital diplomacy and digital foreign policy work", "unique in the world".{{Cite web |last=Project |first=The Double Open |date=2022-07-14 |title=Nordic Institute For Interoperability Solutions (NIIS) Using Double Open |url=https://www.doubleopen.org/case-studies/niis-using-doubleopen/ |access-date=2023-03-19 |website=www.doubleopen.org |language=en-us}} In 2020, the Digital Public Goods Alliance found the X-Road technology managed by NIIS was found to be a digital public good in alignment with the Digital Public Goods Standard.{{Cite web |last=Orav |first=Maris |date=2022-11-16 |title=Greenergy Data Centers and NIIS are Laying the Foundations for a Sustainable Digital Future |url=https://e-estonia.com/greenergy-data-centers-and-niis-are-laying-the-foundations-for-a-sustainable-digital-future/ |access-date=2023-03-19 |website=e-Estonia |language=en}} Its CEO, Ville Sirviö, is often referenced in international publications.{{Cite web |last=Panel® |first=Expert |title=Council Post: 15 Tips For Sharing Tech Plans With Non-Tech Team Members |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbestechcouncil/2023/03/03/15-tips-for-sharing-tech-plans-with-non-tech-team-members/ |access-date=2023-03-19 |website=Forbes |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Panel® |first=Expert |title=Council Post: 12 Smart Steps For Building A Comprehensive And Effective IT Budget |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbestechcouncil/2023/02/28/12-smart-steps-for-building-a-comprehensive-and-effective-it-budget/ |access-date=2023-03-19 |website=Forbes |language=en}}