Implement plain language initiatives (NL0044)

What is the public problem that the commitment will address? Society is becoming increasingly complex, particularly due to digitization. Many people have trouble keeping up. The government has the responsibility to ensure that everyone can continue to participate. That starts with understanding the government. Too many people no longer understand the language of the government. As a result, they participate less in society, for example, they cannot make use of certain help to which they are entitled or do not know what the government expects from them. Because many people do not fully understand the government, (a lot of) extra money and effort is needed from government organizations to explain uncertainties or solve problems.

What is the commitment? As Plain Language Brigade we are focused on governments and therefore have an indirect social effect. We have three types of activities: 1. We ensure that the people who can (largely) solve the problem (civil servants) are aware of it. 2. When officials are aware of it and want to do something about it, we support them to do something about it. 3. We measure whether and what is happening to address and resolve the problem. Does what we do have an effect?

How will the commitment contribute to solving the public problem? The Plain Language Brigade makes government communication and services at all levels (municipalities, provinces, regional water authorities, central government and implementing organizations) more comprehensible for a larger part of the population.

Why is this commitment relevant to OGP values? It is abundantly clear that the basis of open government is that as many Dutch people as possible understand the government. This contributes to public participation and transparency.

Additional information The program is part of the Digital inclusion approach and the regulatory burden approach. The program is linked to the current cabinet (until 2021). We work together with various partners such as the Dutch Language Union and social interest foundations such as ‘Lezen en Schrijven’ ('Reading and Writing'). Milestone Activity with a verifiable deliverable Start Date: End Date: Implementing the 'Plain Language Brigade’ offer: a helpline, training, language application, citizen panels 02-11-2020 01-12-2021 Awarding three ‘Plain Language Awards’ for ambassador, civil servant and organization 02-11-2020 01-02-2021 Developing a database with reliable plain language text formats 01-02-2021 01-12-2021

Action Plan Review

Commitment 6: Plain Language Brigade

Results Report

Commitment 6. Plain Language Brigade

● Verifiable: Yes

● Does it have an open government lens? Yes

● Potential for results: Modest

● Completion: Complete

● Did it open government? Marginal

This commitment aimed to create a “Plain Language Brigade” to ensure that Dutch citizens have access to clear, digitized information about public services. All the stated objectives of this commitment were met, and the work was integrated into a wider program on better government communication. The “Plain Language Brigade” was renamed as “user central” and consists of professionals that work directly for the government. [25] A large set of tools and approaches around using plain language is available online for public officials and, according to the government, over 20,000 texts have been improved by government organizations since the launch of “user central”. [26]