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Open Gov Week 2022 Toolkit

Join us May 16-20!

  • WHAT: For the 4th Open Gov Week (OGW) we are honoring the innovators helping make government work better and standing with brave citizens to protect and renew democratic values around the world. Join us as we share their stories, and contribute your own.
  • WHEN: May 16-20, 2022
  • WHERE: Online, in OGP countries and local governments - or anywhere open government leaders are striving to make a difference.
  • WHO: Open government activists, civil servants, the private sector - everyone!
  • HOW: Co-Create events | Collaborate to make your action plans ambitious | Contribute your story or message of hope.

Co-create. Collaborate. Contribute. Welcome to this year’s Open Gov Week (OGW).

Over the past five years, Open Gov Week has celebrated the doers, thinkers, and creators through 1,300 events – assemblies, debates, hackathons and even a parade or two – in more than 70 countries. Together, we have worked to connect reformers in and out of government, share lessons learned, and push for more ambitious action plans.

This year, we want to do a bit more. In addition to events on and offline we want to collect and share how the open government movement – even in challenging times – is aligned and how our stories can be a bright spot for the world.

“Your Story. Short” is a new story generation tool that will help you quickly share what you are working on right now. You’ll respond to a few key cues and questions, and the OGP editorial team will take it from there.

So share your stories, bring your energy and creativity to this year’s week and think about your events and activities that can lift up the voices of brave reformers in and outside of government.

Everyone has a story. Together we have a mission.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is Open Gov Week?

Open Gov Week (OGW) is a global call to action to transform the way governments serve their citizens. For one week in May, open government champions, leaders and thinkers from around the world host or attend events to share ideas, discuss solutions, and commit to new levels of citizen participation in government.

Where is OGW taking place?

All around the world. More than 70 countries have hosted events, from Canada to South Africa, from Spain to the Philippines.

When is OGW happening?

OGW is taking place from May 16 to 20, 2022.

Should I plan events even if COVID-19 cases are still reported in my area?

The safety of OGW participants is of utmost importance to us. We encourage participants to host and attend events online and follow local health guidelines.

I am not a government official or work for a civil society organization. Can I still participate?

Of course! Open Gov Week is for all who believe that citizens should play a role in how the government makes decisions. Everyday citizens have both attended and hosted events in previous iterations of OGW.

Do I need to register for OGW?

There is no registration for Open Gov Week in general but individual events may require some sort of registration.

Can I host an event during OGW?

Of course! If you want to advance open government in your community, city, or country, please consider organizing events and activities as part of this week of action.

We encourage you to host and attend events online and follow local health guidelines.

Go to www.opengovweek.org/submit-an-event and fill out the form to submit your event. Provide as much detail as possible about the activity and share with local partners and others to secure a broad audience. You can also share on social media using #OpenGovWeek.

What kind of events can I host?

Whatever you want it to be. This event could include activities such as webinars, hackathons, public debates, and other events to get citizens, governments, and civil society organizations involved in open government efforts. Check out some examples of what other countries have done below.

I want to participate in an event during Open Gov Week. Where do I start?

Go to www.opengovweek.org/map to find events on open government taking place in your own vicinity, whether it’s online or at a specific location. Share an event you find interesting on social media to invite more people.

Are there any resources available to promote my event?

If you want to promote your event on social media, the press, or create materials for your event, you can access graphical assets here.

ATTEND AN EVENT

Look for an event online in your area! Go to www.opengovweek.org/map to find events on open government taking place in your own vicinity, whether it’s online or at specific location. Share an event you find interesting on social media to invite more people.

To avoid the spread of COVID-19 in your community, we encourage participants to attend events online and follow local health and safety guidelines.

Check back at www.opengovweek.org to see new events added each week or #OpenGovWeek for the latest updates.

HOST AN EVENT

If you want to advance open government in your community, city, or country, please consider organizing events and activities as part of this week of action.

To avoid the spread of COVID-19 in your community, we encourage participants to host events online and follow local health and safety guidelines.

Your event could include activities such as online public debates, webinars, and other events to get citizens, governments, and civil society organizations involved in open government efforts.

Check out the Open Gov Hub’s Guide to Great Events to produce more impactful and effective events. You can also check out the Open Gov Hub's guide to virtual events created for its members and now available to the whole Open Gov Week community!

Go to www.opengovweek.org/submit-an-event and fill out the form to submit your event. Provide as much detail as possible about the activity and share with local partners and others to secure a broad audience. You can also share on social media using #OpenGovWeek.

When planning your OGW activities consider:

  • Hosting an event online and following local health and safety guidelines to avoid the spread of COVID-19
  • Using publicly accessible online platforms to include more groups in your community
  • Inviting underrepresented groups including: women’s organizations, youth networks, or marginalized communities to participate in a discussion
  • Ensuring events are gender balanced, and that all are giving meaningful opportunities to speak
  • Inviting a multitude of sectors (government, civil society, the private sector, academia) to have rich conversations
  • Including government institutions from different branches of government
  • Partnering with other organizations or government institutions to bring more participants

Want to organize and event but don’t know where to start? Check out some examples of what other countries have done in the past below and check what others are doing this year here.

AFRICA

The justice cluster in Kenya invited open government champions from Sierra Leone, South Africa and Indonesia to exchange experiences and best practices in using the OGP platform to improve access to justice in their countries.

AMERICAS

In 2021, a number of countries in the region used the Week to start their co-creation processes like the Dominican Republic or launched their new action plans like Chile. OGP CEO Sanjay Pradhan commended the Chilean government and civil society on advancing these reforms and encouraged them to keep citizens at the heart of open government as they move towards implementation.

ASIA

Indonesia was one of the first countries to celebrate Open Gov Week in 2021. Their kick-off event, which featured OGP Envoy Yanuar Nugroho, set the tone and emphasized the importance of collaboration and coordination among stakeholders to create a transparent and inclusive government especially during pandemic response and recovery.

EUROPE

In Estonia, more than 1,200 people from 142 countries participated in the e-Governance Conference to discuss the benefits of digital maturity assessments and interoperability, as well as digital tools to combat corruption and protect democracies against digital threats.

JOIN THE CONVERSATION

You can also join the thousands of people around the world participating in Open Gov Week through several social media platforms. Join the conversation via:

Social media graphics
Social media graphics
Check out our templates in Canva and adapt them for your own event.

Thank you for sharing our messages for #OpenGovWeek. Your support to spread the word about this global call to action by posting to social media will continue to make governments more open, inclusive, and accountable around the world.

We have included suggested social media posts below for Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram as well as social media graphics to illustrate your messages and banners for your social media profiles. All of these and their editable files are available for download here.

You can also your story with the rest of the open government community at OpenStories.

SUGGESTED TWEETS

We have an opportunity to take on the biggest challenges our societies face. Join us during #OpenGovWeek to co-create and implement ambitious reforms: opengovweek.org #OpenStories

Host. Attend. Co-create! Participate in #OpenGovWeek and join other leaders, doers, and thinkers to discuss solutions and committing to real action to advance #OpenGov. Learn more at opengovweek.org.

It’s co-creation time! Work with citizens, government, civil society and others to create reforms that impact people’s lives and rebuild trust in government. Join #OpenGovWeek: opengovweek.org

#OpenGovWeek starts on May 16! Join thousands of citizens working with civil society, governments, and @opengovpart to openly debate and discuss #OpenGov reforms and #OpenStories. Learn more at opengovweek.org

Excited to take part in #OpenGovWeek, starting on May 16-20. Let’s unite citizens and governments in showcasing open, accountable and inclusive leadership. Visit opengovweek.org for more.

We're taking part in #OpenGovWeek because we believe that when citizens, civil society and govts collaborate, we can create impactful reforms that improve everyone’s lives and livelihoods. opengovweek.org. #OpenStories

SUGGESTED FACEBOOK AND INSTAGRAM POSTS

Great to see @OpenGovernmentPartnership announce #OpenGovWeek. On May 16-20 citizens, governments, and members of civil society around the world will come together in the name of #OpenGov to transform the way governments respond to the citizens they serve. Learn more about how you can advance #OpenGov in your city or country here by inviting new voices to the conversation: opengovweek.org

Get inspired. Get involved. Join the thousands of people around the world who want to strengthen #OpenGov in their communities, cities, and countries. This May 16-20, be a part of #OpenGovWeek and help us create more transparent, accountable, responsive, and inclusive governments. Learn more here: opengovweek.org

#OpenGovWeek is a unique opportunity for people like you and me to have an influence on how our government interacts with its citizens. I want a seat at the table to tell our leaders what matters most to me. Please sign up to take part. You can make a real impact. opengovweek.org