What if we weren't always so critical of our own?

There’s a very Portuguese trait worth reflecting on: the tendency to be relentlessly critical of what is ours.

Constructive criticism is undoubtedly a driver of progress. However, when criticism becomes constant, disproportionate, and poorly informed, it ceases to be a tool for improvement and instead becomes a barrier to our own recognition and growth.

Portugal is currently one of the most digital countries in Europe. In just a few minutes, one can open a company online, renew an ID card, file tax declarations, access medical information, or communicate with public services. And, in most cases, these tools work efficiently and reliably. Yet, for some reason, we continue to focus more on the exceptions than on the systems that are truly elevating our country’s digital performance.

It is in this context that Portugal, this October, assumes the presidency of the D9+, an informal group of European countries that lead the digitalisation and e-government rankings. It’s a unique opportunity to place, once again, Lisbon at the center of the debate on Europe’s digital future. Additionally, it’s also a moment to acknowledge how far we have come, and this should not pass unnoticed.

Occurring in parallel with the D9+ Ministerial Summit is the S9+ (yes, with an S instead of a D), an initiative that brings together the leading startup associations from the D9+ countries. Startup Portugal represents the Portuguese startup ecosystem in this group and, this semester, takes on the responsibility of organising the gathering, with the clear goal of ensuring that the voice of startups is heard at the highest levels of political discussion.

This is more than a technical event — it is a moment of political affirmation: startups are not a sector, they are central players in designing digital solutions, creating economic value, and shaping more effective public policies. In this group Portugal has been heard. It has been respected. It has, in fact, inspired European legislation.

Maybe the real issue is not with the services that do not work properly — it is with our unbalanced perception of what already works.

Instead of assuming that everything “made in Portugal” is flawed, perhaps we should start by identifying what works — and focus on how to replicate it.

Critical thinking matters. However, even more important is having the ambition to improve based on what is already working.

This October, Portugal welcomes Europe’s digital leaders, and that is something to be proud of. Not just because we were chosen — but because we earned it.

Let’s praise!