From Transparency to Engagement: Hamburg’s Path to Open Government

The city of Hamburg in Germany has a history when it comes to open government. One essential step was taken in 2012 when the city introduced Hamburg’s Transparency Act, a pioneering effort in Germany. Hamburg set up a Transparency portal to provide free access to relevant data and documents of the city administration. It also launched the Digital Strategy for Hamburg promoting open government and stronger citizen participationAccording to OGP’s Articles of Governance, citizen participation occurs when “governments seek to mobilize citizens to engage in public debate, provide input, and make contributions that lead to m... More. By joining OGP Local in 2022, Hamburg had already laid a strong foundation to sharpen its focus on open government.

As we developed Hamburg’s local action plan with our civil society partner, Körber-Stiftung, we asked ourselves how to make the most of our membership in the OGP Local program to support existing open government and data-based initiatives. We quickly realized that to promote open governance effectively, we needed to challenge our thinking and engage in meaningful conversations. That’s why we’re committed to creating new spaces for dialogue and using various platforms to push forward ideas, tools, and projects that promote open government with a focus on data-based technologies. We also want to constantly remind ourselves of the importance of communication and dialogue, while raising awareness about the need for open and accessible communication for everyone. These efforts have led to our Data Dialogue, where we aim to foster conversations and understanding around data.

The Data Dialogue is all about making the complex topic of data understandable and accessible to different groups: from everyday citizens and civil society organizations to government officials. Through its first data dialogue event in early 2023, several valuable learnings emerged, highlighting the transformative potential of this approach.

Embracing Dialogue for Open Government

Engaging in dialogue is a crucial aspect of promoting open government. By questioning existing mindsets and seeking new perspectives, we can break paradigms and foster a more inclusive approach to decision-making. Dialogue serves as a catalyst for positive change, enabling stakeholders to collaborate and address challenges collectively.

Creating Accessible Spaces for Data Discussions

Data plays an increasingly significant role in today’s society. The Data Dialogues recognize the need to make data discussions more accessible and understandable for diverse groups. By creating and connecting spaces for dialogue, we empower citizens, civil society organizations, and public administrations to engage in open conversations about data, ensuring that everyone can actively participate in shaping data-based initiatives.

Value of Change in Roles and External Perspectives

The success of the data dialogue event showcased the transformative power of changing roles and involving external perspectives. Initially met with skepticism, experts from government departments embraced the opportunity to engage with the audience and prepared questions for them. This shift in perspective allowed for a valuable exchange of insights and experiences. Both experts and the audience realized the benefits of understanding their own roles in new ways and recognized the added value that external perspectives can bring to their projects. 

In Hamburg, we are breaking new ground and embarking on a path of discovery. In the coming months, we will explore alternative approaches to data such as Warm Data Lab and Design JusticeTo address barriers that prevent citizens from having their justice needs met, OGP participating governments are working to expand transparency, accountability, and inclusion into all systems of justi... inviting diverse civil society actors to join us in this transformative journey. Together, we are nurturing an ongoing dialogue, challenging conventional practices, and shaping the future of data.