F R O M C O M M I T M E N T TO AC T I O N
About OGP
Country Action Plan
The Open Government Partnership (OGP) is a global
effort to make governments better. Citizens want more
transparent, effective and accountable government with
institutions that empower people and are responsive to
their aspirations.
Governments and civil society co-create national action
plans that elaborate concrete commitments to open
government reforms.
OGP aims to secure concrete commitments from
governments to promote transparency and accountability,
empower citizens, fight corruption, and harness new
technologies to strengthen governance.
OGP launched on September 20, 2011 when the founding
eight governments of Brazil, Indonesia, Philippines,
Mexico, Norway, South Africa, United Kingdom, and
United States formally adopted the Open Government
Declaration and announced their national action plans.
Since then, the partnership has grown to 63 countries
representing a third of the world’s population.
Participating governments have made over 1,000
commitments to be more open and accountable to their
citizens.
To Join OGP Countries Must:
✔ Meet the eligibility criteria
✔ Embrace the Open Government Declaration
✔ Deliver a National Action Plan with concrete open
government reform commitments developed with public
consultation
✔ Commit to independent reporting on their progress
There is no checklist of reforms that OGP requires of its
governments. OGP is designed as a “race to the top”
embracing a voluntary approach to open government,
allowing each government and their civil society
counterparts to identify commitments most important to
each local context.
OGP Steering Committee
In the spirit of multi-stakeholder collaboration, OGP is
overseen by an international Steering Committee of nine
governments and nine leading civil society
representatives.
Governments
Brazil
Indonesia
Mexico
Norway
Philippines
South Africa
Tanzania
United Kingdom
United States
Civil Society
Ms. Maryati Abdullah (Indonesia)
Ms. Veronica Cretu (Moldova)
Mr. Nikhil Dey (India)
Mr. Alejandro Gonzalez (Mexico)
Ms. Suneeta Kaimal (Int’l)
Mr. Warren Krafchik (Int’l)
Ms. Iara Pietricovsky (Brazil)
Mr. Rakesh Rajani (Tanzania)
Mr. Martin Tisne (Int’l)
Promoting
transparency,
empowering citizens,
fighting corruption
and harnessing new technologies
to strengthen governance.
opengovpartnership.org
[email protected]
F R O M C O M M I T M E N T TO AC T I O N
Additional Elements
Multi-stakeholder Consultation
OGP participating countries commit to develop their
national action plans through a multi-stakeholder process,
with the active engagement of citizens and civil society.
Countries are encouraged to identify an approriate forum
for ongoing dialogue with stakeholders through the
process of drafting, implementing, and assessing action
plans.
Independent Reporting Mechanism
All governments publish an annual self-assessment report
after each year of the OGP implementation cycle.
Following the first self-assessment of a new National
Action Plan, an independent progress report is written by
a local governance expert from each participating
country. Following a second self-assessment the IRM
produces a short close-out report assessing the
completion of commitments. The IRM has produced 43
independent progress reports covering over 800
commitments to date.
Peer Learning and Exchange
OGP offers participating countries various platforms to
share experiences with a network of governments and
non-governmental actors tackling similar open
government challenges. Through regional meetings,
thematic working groups, webinars, and various other
events, the OGP Support Unit connects countries with the
resources they need to develop innovative and effective
open government initiatives.
OGP Support Unit
The Support Unit serves as the secretariat for OGP,
working closely with the Steering Committee to shape
OGP policities and strategy. It is also the first point of
contact for both governments and civil society in OGP
participating countries.
Open Government Principles
Minimum Eligibility Criteria
Transparency: Information on government activities and
decisions is open, comprehensive, timely and freely
available to the public, and meets basic open data
standards.
OGP-eligible governments must exhibit a demonstrated
commitment to open government in four key areas, as
measured by objective indicators and validated by
independent experts:
Accountability: Rules, regulations, and mechanisms are in
place that call upon government actors to justify their
actions, act upon criticisms or requirements made of
them and accept responsibility for failure to perform.
Fiscal Transparency: The timely publication of essential
budget documents forms the basic buidling blocks of
budget accountability.
Citizen Participation: Governments seek to mobilize
citizens to engage in public debate, provide input, and
make contributions that lead to more responsive and
effective governance.
Technology and Innovation: Governments embrace the
importance of new technologies in driving innovation,
providing citizens with open access to technology, and
increasing their capacity to use technology.
Access to Information: An access to information law that
guarantees the public’s right to information is essential to the
spirit and practice of open government.
Income and Asset Disclosure: Rules that require public
disclosure of income and assets for elected and senior public
officials are essential to open and accountable government.
Citizen Engagement: Open Government requires basic
protections for civil liberties and an openness to citizen
engagement and participation in policymaking and governance.
OGP Participation Roadmap
Meet the
eligibility
criteria
Submit signed Letter of
Intent to join and publicly
endorse the Open
Government Declaration
Create a forum
for regular
multi-stakeholder
consultation
Work with civil
society to
develop a national
action plan
Submit action
plan online
Implement
commitments per
action plan
timelines
Prepare annual self
assessment report and
participate in Independent
Reporting Mechanism
Contribute to
peer learning
and knowledge
exchange