Action plan – Navarra, Spain, 2025 – 2027

At-a-Glance

Duration

May 2027

Date Submitted

7th February 2025

Foreword(s)

The first Open Government Action Plan of the Government of Navarra represents an important milestone in our commitmentOGP commitments are promises for reform co-created by governments and civil society and submitted as part of an action plan. Commitments typically include a description of the problem, concrete action... to promote a new form of governance, in which citizens are both at the center as well as an active agent of public policies. This plan reasserts our ambitionAccording to OGP’s Articles of Governance, OGP commitments should “stretch government practice beyond its current baseline with respect to key areas of open government.” Ambition captures the po... to build a fuller and more improved democracy, in which decisions not only affect but also actively involve all stakeholders in Navarrese society.

This Action Plan (AP) was designed in a participatory manner, with the collaboration of multiple stakeholders that reflect the diversity of our society. Civil servants from different government departments, third sector representatives, civil organizations, the world of academia and the private sectorGovernments are working to open private sector practices as well — including through beneficial ownership transparency, open contracting, and regulating environmental standards. Technical specificat... contributed significantly to its drafting. In addition, we held meetings and consultations that were open to citizens, thanks to which the process was inclusive and democratic. The work of the Steering Group and the support of the Navarrese Civic Participation Council have been fundamental in guaranteeing that this collaboration drives the implementation of the plan effectively and in a manner that aligns with society’s interests.

To ensure the transparencyAccording to OGP’s Articles of Governance, transparency occurs when “government-held information (including on activities and decisions) is open, comprehensive, timely, freely available to the pub... More and effectiveness of the plan, we have established independent monitoring mechanisms, in line with the Independent Review Mechanism (IRM) of the Open Government PartnershipThe Open Government Partnership (OGP) is a multi-stakeholder initiative focused on improving government transparency, ensuring opportunities for citizen participation in public matters, and strengthen... More (OGP). Each stage of the process from its drafting to its evaluation will be published in the Transparency Portal and in other spaces and accountability channels of the Government of Navarra. This way, we can ensure that citizens are informed and participate actively in the development and execution of the plan.

We want a Navarrese society in which all stakeholders are fully committed and assume shared responsibility in governance that is open, collaborative and ethical. This approach will be a fundamental driver for sustainable development in Navarra, and therefore promote our shared future for the benefit of everyone. 

Open Government Challenges, Opportunities and Strategic Vision

This subsection details the Open Government Strategic Vision in your local area that should guide the commitments for the action plan period.

What is the long-term vision for open government in your context and jurisdiction?

The long-term vision for Open Government in Navarra is based on a model of governance that progressively involves all social and economic stakeholders. We are seeking civic participation that goes beyond the obligatory and acts as an authentic channel to improve public policies, promote dialogue, generate consensus and strengthen legitimacy by means of active inclusionOGP participating governments are working to create governments that truly serve all people. Commitments in this area may address persons with disabilities, women and girls, lesbian, gay, bisexual, tr.... 

Transparency geared towards citizens and open dataBy opening up data and making it sharable and reusable, governments can enable informed debate, better decision making, and the development of innovative new services. Technical specifications: Polici... will be fundamental principles, based on the idea that society is the owner of public information. In addition, the government is committed to constant accountability, with targets that are clear and easy to evaluate and will seek a citizen service that evolves into a dynamic and collaborative relationship. 

This vision is consolidated in institutions that are managed through the exemplary ethical behavior by all the people composing them, with the conviction that this new form of governance is an essential driver for the sustainable development of Navarre.

What are the achievements in open government to date (for example, recent open government reforms)?

For over a decade, the Government of Navarra has been committed to open government. Since 2012, the Open Government Partnership has promoted transparency and civic participation. This commitment was reinforced with the Open Government and Transparency Law, followed by the creation of a participation unit and the Open Government Service in 2015. Further regulations in 2018 and 2019 expanded regulatory requirements.

Navarra currently uses three open-source programs for transparency and participation: CKAN, Drupal, and Decidim. Data is published by entities such as the Public University of Navarra (UPNA), the IDENA, (NA)STAT, and local administrations. In 2024, a participation board was created with representatives from local governments, FNMC, universities, and associations.

Navarra collaborated with the Ministry of Finance to reform the Spanish Transparency Law, incorporating youthRecognizing that investing in youth means investing in a better future, OGP participating governments are creating meaningful opportunities for youth to participate in government processes. Technical ... contributions, and contributed to Spain’s 4th Open Government Plan, focusing on child participation and open data. In 2022, the citizen advice service was redesigned, and Decidim was expanded to local administrations. With the Department for Social Rights, child participation in the Minor Act was strengthened, and reference guides were developed. Additionally, work with CERMIN and UPNA promoted inclusivity and transparency training.

The first Open Government Plan (2021) set 25 commitments on transparency, participation, and integrity. A second plan will be launched in 2025, aligned with the OGP Action Plan.

What are the current challenges/areas for improvement in open government that the jurisdiction wishes to tackle?

The main challenges that the Government of Navarra aims to tackle in terms of Open Government focus on three key areas:

• Clear communication: The administration aims to use plain and accessible language in administrative documents, to promote wide understanding and reduce the gap between institutions and citizens. Clear communication facilitates access to information and enables transparent interaction, therefore simplifying the understanding of processes for all groups of the public, including those with comprehension difficulties.
• More and better civic participation: Navarra works to promote participation that exceeds legal requirements and fosters direct citizen intervention by means of several channels. In this process, particular emphasis is placed on including groups that tend to be marginalized, therefore creating more inclusive spaces.
• Participatory processes to improve public services: The ‘participatory design’ approach makes it possible to adapt services to users’ needs, and therefore achieve a public administration that is more effective and closer to citizens’ expectations, strengthening trust in public management.

What are the medium-term open government goals that the government wants to achieve?

The Government of Navarra’s medium-term open government goals focus on:

1. Incorporating deliberative participation to tackle complex challenges, enabling deeper and more consensual discussions on strategic topics.
2. The continuation of open data on government management, with a special emphasis on ensuring its quality, to strengthen transparency and promote its effective use by citizens. 
3. Implementing an accountability model based on a rigorous evaluation of policies, programs and services, ensuring a clear response to public needs.
4. Concluding the government’s institutional integrity system, establishing sound structures for public ethics.
5. Supporting the development of open government in smaller municipalities, promoting inclusive governance at local level.
6. Promoting a culture of open governance both in society and in public administration, developing key skills.
7. Making the most of technology to drive a more open government.
8. Making progress with participatory budgets, enabling a more inclusive and community-based distribution of resources.

How does this action plan contribute to achieve the Open Government Strategic Vision?

The Open Government of Navarra action plan commitments are essential for achieving its strategic vision of inclusive and collaborative governance. Clear communication facilitates citizens’ access to public information, reinforcing transparency, reducing barriers and favoring accessible accountability. The promotion of extensive civic participation not only fulfills legal requirements, it includes traditionally excluded groups, therefore consolidating representation and social dialogue. In turn, the participatory processes adapt the policies and services to the real needs of citizens, generating trust in the institutions and improving the service provided to citizens. Overall, these commitments consolidate a government that is ethical, transparent and committed to sustainable development, putting citizens at the heart of governance.

How does the open government strategic vision contribute to the accomplishment of the current administration’s overall policy goals?

The Strategic Vision of the Open Government of Navarra contributes to the objectives of the framework principles of the government and the recent Navarra brand by promoting participatory and transparent governance that reinforces its position as an innovative, sustainable and egalitarian region.

The commitment to active civic participation ensures public services based on quality, universality and equity, and in turn, prioritizes territorial cohesion and the development of infrastructures that guarantee equal opportunities. 

The strategic vision emphasizes collaboration between institutions and civil society with public leadership geared towards the common good. This focus promotes a democratic regeneration agenda that aims to bring public management closer to real-life needs by means of interaction and effective communication with citizens.

All of this aligns with the culture of collaboration and shared responsibility, consolidating dialogue and consensus as key pillars for sustainable and inclusive development.

Engagement and Coordination in the Open Government Strategic Vision and OGP Action Plan

Please list the lead institutions responsible for the implementation of this OGP action plan.

• Directorate General of the Presidency, Open Government and Relations with the Parliament of Navarra

What kind of institutional arrangements are in place to coordinate between government agencies and departments to implement the OGP action plan?

The steering group, composed of stakeholders from different areas of government as well as external stakeholders, was formally constituted in an in-person meeting where they took on the commitment of advising on and participating in the co-design of the Action Plan, monitoring it and collaborating on programs similar to their areas of activity. There are also collaboration protocols signed with CERMIN to establish a common framework that promotes inclusive participation in public policies and decisions, with UNICEF to guarantee child and adolescent rights, and with UPNA. In addition, a four-year agreement with the Navarrese Federation of Municipalities and Councils (FNMC) promotes volunteering, transparency and civic participation at local level, therefore promoting services adapted to citizens’ needs and preferences.   

At government level, the Inter-departmental Committee for Transparency and Open Government  meets annually to coordinate matters related to open government, including the OGP initiative.

What kind of spaces have you used or created to enable the collaboration between government and civil society in the co-creation and implementation of this action plan? Mention both offline and online spaces.

A steering group of government and non-government stakeholders that has met in person and online to analyze the strategic axes of the action plan has been constituted. With the Navarrese Civic Participation Council, work took place in its constitution meeting and by means of collaborative documents online. In addition, all citizens in Navarra were able to take part in an open information session and vote in an online consultation to define the axes that would form part of the plan. Government, civil society organization, and Participation Committee representatives took part in in-person sessions to make progress with the design of the commitments. Attendees were able to contribute to the conclusions and to the draft Action Plan remotely. This draft will also be uploaded to the Participa Navarra platform to gather contributions from all citizens.

What measures did you take to ensure diversity of representation (including vulnerable or marginalized populations) in these spaces?

The steering group includes representatives from entities that work with different collectives, including people in a situation of vulnerability. These stakeholders have played a key role throughout the co-creation processCollaboration between government, civil society and other stakeholders (e.g., citizens, academics, private sector) is at the heart of the OGP process. Participating governments must ensure that a dive..., ensuring that the inclusion and representation of the diversity of Navarrese society is present throughout the Action Plan. Furthermore, other groups have been invited to participate actively in the information session and in the work sessions. One of the Plan commitments is, in fact, focused on promoting inclusive participation. Lastly, the virtual and in-person participation spaces have been planned to ensure total accessibility. 
Who participated in these spaces?

• Autonomous Government Departments 
• Municipal entities
• Companies
• Third sector entities
• Higher advisory and participation bodies 
• Foundations
• Academic institutions
• Public ombudsman
• Federations

How many groups participated in these spaces?

16

How many public-facing meetings were held in the co-creation process?

6

How will government and non-governmental stakeholders continue to collaborate through the implementation of the action plan?

The Government of Navarra will continue to collaborate closely with its partners, and implement the collaboration agreements and protocols, as well as the joint initiatives gathered in this Action Plan. These actions include training programs, publication and awareness-raising campaigns, the creation of meeting and public accountabilityAccording to OGP’s Articles of Governance, public accountability occurs when ”rules, regulations, and mechanisms in place call upon government actors to justify their actions, act upon criticisms ... More spaces, adaptation of materials, establishment of participation councils and bodies, participatory workshops and other projects linked to participation and open government, all geared towards fulfilling the Plan’s commitments.

In addition, these members will be directly involved in the monitoring of different initiatives of the Plan, receiving their proposals for improvement and keeping the usual in-person and virtual channels of communication active. Lastly, a working group will be promoted in each commitment to coordinate and implement the strategic lines.

Please describe the independent Monitoring Body you have identified for this plan.

Research group for Government, Public Administration and Public Policies (GIGAPP)

Provide the contact details for the independent monitoring body.

• César Nicandro Cruz Rubio, Professor, Researcher and Member of the International Panel of Experts of the IRM – Open Government, cesar.cruz.rubio@gigapp.org

What types of activities will you have in place to discuss progress on commitments with stakeholders?

In addition to the common and close channels of communication with the different stakeholders, there are plans to organize in-person and online meetings in addition to task forces. The Navarrese Civic Participation Council sessions will also be made the most of and biannual meetings will be held with the Steering Group for this purpose. Lastly, the working groups that will be created for each commitment will also fulfil this task.

How will you regularly check in on progress with implementing agencies?

Fluid and constant communication has been established with all the stakeholders involved, without the need to wait for specific meetings to be able to share information and opinions. Nevertheless, periodic meetings will be held, geared towards this purpose, where advances in the implementation of the commitments will be discussed. A relevant space for this work will be the Inter-departmental Committee for Transparency and Open Government  which ensures coordinated monitoring and a comprehensive evaluation of the Plan commitments, therefore promoting transparent and collaborative management. Lastly, the actions related to the process will be duly documented and gathered in records, reports, files and other means of accreditation. 

How will you share the results of your monitoring efforts with the public?

Two open presentation and feedback sessions will take place. The first will serve to present the Action Plan and send back to participants the result of their contributions, while the second, at the end of the implementation period, will share the results and the final monitoring report. In addition, the whole process and resulting documentation will be published on the Participa Navarra platform and will be shared via social media and the Government of Navarra bulletins.

Endorsement from Non-Governmental Stakeholders

• Edurne Barrenechea, Vice-Rector for Digital Development at the Public University of Navarra, UPNA
• Maider Gabilondo, Coordinator of the UNICEF Navarra Committee, UNICEF
• Juan Jesús Echaide, Technician, FNMyC
• Carlos Sarasibar, General Secretary, Public Ombudsman
• Mari Luz Sanz, President, CERMIN
• Carlos Romero, Director, Fractal Strategy
• Carmen Burgui, Technical Director, CERMIN
• Concha Fernandez, Spokesperson, Consejo Navarro de Igualdad [Navarrese Council for Equality]
• Cristina García, Responsible for projects and communication, Fundación Ideas
• Monica Iñigo, Social action technician, CERMIN
• Paola García, Technical coordinator, Foro de Personas Migrantes [Migrant Persons Forum]
• Sonia Ganuza, Technician and trainer, ANFAS
• Toya Bernard, Director of Innovation, Communication and Citizen Services, Nasertic

Letter to OGP 

Commitments

• Participatory Processes to Improve Public Services and the User Experience
• Improving Clear Communication through Plain and Direct Language 
• Greater Direct Civic Participation and More Inclusive Participatory Processes