Local Roundup | June 2024

Here’s our monthly roundup of updates from the OGP Local community for June 2024. If you missed any of the previous roundups, you can now find them here!

OPEN GOV WEEK HIGHLIGHTS

• The Mayor of Quezon City (Philippines) discussed initiatives to promote transparency, inclusion, and accountability with OGP Philippines and the Department of Budget and Management.
• Plav (Montenegro) facilitated discussions to plan an inclusive process for gender equality policies.
• Vinnystia (Ukraine) trained representatives of civil society institutions and members of the public on how to implement the right to access public information. 
• The Ukrainian Platform for National-Local Dialogue recognized 11 Ukrainian communities for their success in youth participation, civic hubs, and citizen engagement for Ukraine’s recovery.
• In Plateau (Nigeria), Governor Mutfwang launched a digital performance scorecard system that allows the government to track the activities of ministries, departments, and agencies and align policies with the administration’s overarching strategy.
• Kaduna (Nigeria) hosted Bauchi State for a knowledge-sharing session on monitoring and evaluation processes, public engagement projects, and initiatives promoted through their OGP membership.
• Makueni County (Kenya) shared how open government has empowered its citizens to access clean and safe water in their neighborhoods, showcasing the positive impact of trust and collaboration between government and members of the public.
• Brazilian OGP Local members Santa Catarina, State of Goiás, Osasco, Contagem, and Vitoria da Conquista discussed the recently launched Brazilian Open Government Network and how the government can help tackle climate change.
• Among other events, Peñalolén (Chile) hosted a seminar ‘Knowledge Dialogues on Youth’ engaging participants to critically rethink perspectives on youth.
• Buenos Aires (Argentina) launched the Federal Open State Program to support provincial and municipal governments as well as legislative and judicial institutions in designing and implementing open state policies.
• Rosario (Argentina) presented its ‘Citizen Acupuncture Laboratories’ experience at the XVII International Congress of Educating Cities, highlighting innovative participatory tools for neighborhood planning.
• Corrientes (Argentina) engaged over 250 participants to explore its open data and foster public participation to seek solutions for the city’s challenges.
• Montevideo (Uruguay) launched its Open Government Observatory to help citizens track local plan commitments. Additionally, they hosted a virtual event on ‘Open Data and Citizen Participation’ to discuss strategies and platforms for incorporating members of the public into decision-making processes.
• Chihuahua (Mexico) presented the Municipality’s Open Data Policy to facilitate access to information for all, empowering governments, the public, civil society organizations, and the private sector.
• Nuevo León (Mexico) presented its Open Data Guide, conducted a workshop on Open Data awareness for public servants, issued a call for participation best practices, and published the ActiLibro for children to learn about their right to participate and a guide for activities/facilitation for those working with children to promote their participation.
• Bogotá (Colombia) discussed integrity, transparency, and accountability strategies, as well as introducing the Chatico chatbot with civil society, academia, and the private sector.
• Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas (Ecuador) hosted the International Forum on Open Government and Artificial Intelligence, with participation from experts from Argentina, Spain, and Ecuador.

OGP LOCAL MEMBERS AT THE EAP COMMUNITY DIALOGUE

• Yerevan (Armenia) hosted the Eastern Partnership Community Dialogue, organized by the EU for Integrity Programme. Representatives from government and civil society from 14 jurisdictions from Armenia, Georgia, Ukraine, and Moldova discussed how to bolster participation and exchanged good practices. Find all the photos of the event.
• The OGP team met with the authorities of Yerevan, Metsamor, the municipality and region of Armavir, and the Armavir Development Center to discuss ways to strengthen the growing ecosystem of local leaders in Armenia.

ADVANCING OPEN GOVERNMENT PROCESSES 

• Wassa Amenfi East Municipal Assembly (Ghana) assessed activities, shared lessons learned, and discussed timelines for upcoming plans with their CSO partner, Friends of the Nation.
• Madrid (Spain) opened a public consultation for the fourth OGP  action plan, which includes five commitments based on public input.
• Aragon (Spain) held workshops as part of the co-creation of the second open government action plan, focusing on three priority areas, selected from a previous public vote: communities of senior citizens; rural areas, LAAAB decentralization, and depopulation; and clear communication, easy language, and citizen service.
• In Cordoba (Argentina), universities, civil society, and government officials are working together to establish commitments for the next four year OGP action plan.

OPPORTUNITIES

• Join the OGP Local Circle ‘Social Actions in Climate Mitigation and Adaptation’ on June 26 to explore innovative open government solutions addressing the urgent challenges of climate change.
• Join People Powered’s Learning Webinar on Innovations in Democracy: Climate Democracy on June 18 to explore ways to improve government engagement with citizens on climate action.
• Apply for People Powered’s Climate Democracy Accelerator and Democratic Innovations Accelerator before June 27!

MEET THE OPEN GOV CHALLENGE

• World Environment Day has just passed, but the push for climate action continues. Ensure public oversight and transparency for climate finance and greening existing fiscal and planning processes just like Khmelnytskyi (Ukraine), which co-created a Green City Action Plan to develop a climate-neutral economy that promotes green growth.

• Learn more about the Open Gov Challenge and take a look at the following resources to enhance transparency and oversight of climate finance.