The money will be used in two projects which aim to use digital technology to improve public services.
The first project worth £80,000, in collaborationk with Manchester City Council, Wigan Borough Council and Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council, aims to improve decision making in children’s services departments.
The second project worth £74,900, in collaboration with the 10 local authorities in Greater Manchester, will create a system to simplify the process of undertaking data protection impact assessments.
Andrew Western, GMCA Digital City Region lead, said: “We have a clear vision to be a European leading digital city-region. Devolution has given us a fantastic opportunity to break down silos and work together to make sure we improve life for everyone who lives and works across Greater Manchester.
“These two projects highlight how we are growing as digitally as a city-region, using technology innovatively to meet our ambitions and making Greater Manchester the best place to grow up, get on and grow old.”
The Greater Manchester Combined Authority projects are two of 16 projects across the country awarded grants of up to £100,000 to shape new digital services or explore the potential of modern technology to improve their work.
Other areas of research include using improved online tools for reporting social home repairs, and using data analytics and artificial intelligence to make it easier to produce better education plans for children with special needs.
Lead councils across the country have been partnered with other councils to share knowledge and ideas. This collaborative approach is a key pillar of the Local Digital Declaration, launched in July, to better coordinate public bodies seeking digital solutions.
