WeOpenGov: Civil Society-Public Agencies Network for Open Government

Greece (EL)

Project facts

Project promoter:
Transparency International Greece(GR)
Project Number:
GR-ACTIVECITIZENS-0111
Status:
Completed
Final project cost:
€78,678
Other Project Partners
GRNET – National Infrastructures for Research and Technology(GR)
National and Kapodistrian University of Athens / Digital Media for Participation research group(GR)
Programme:
Civil Society

More information

Description

The WeOpenGov project addresses the need to create a permanent multistakeholder civil society-government forum for open government. Fragmentary civil society participation in to the design, implementation and monitoring of public policy for open government is the main challenge. Another challenge is the mutual trust deficit among civil society and policy makers. Civil society organizations question the willingness of government agencies to cooperate while the later doubt about the CSO’s capacity to effectively contribute to their activities. Members of the Informal Network include Transparency International Greece, GFOSS, Vouliwatch, Open Knowledge Foundation Greece, HIGGS, Impact Hub Athens, Sci-Fi, Solidarity Now and KefiM. WeOpenGov purpose is to set up a permanent fully functional network of at least 25 CSO’s, 15 government agencies, 5 academic institutions, and 5 private companies. Members of the network will regularly convene and cooperate with one another to develop common activities in the context of Greece’s national Open Government Action Plans and beyond.

Summary of project results

The "WeOpenGov" project aimed to address several key issues and challenges related to civil society engagement, governance, and transparency:

1. Limited Civil Society Participation in Governance: Many CSOs lacked the knowledge, tools, and support to effectively engage in decision-making processes or advocate for changes in public policies.

2. Lack of Transparency and Accountability in Governance: Another issue was the insufficient transparency and accountability in government practices. The project sought to tackle this by promoting open governance and encouraging collaboration between civil society and public institutions to ensure that governmental processes are more transparent and accountable.

3. Weak Collaboration Between Civil Society and Public Institutions: There was a lack of collaboration between civil society and public institutions, making it difficult to address shared challenges or promote policy changes. The project aimed to bridge this gap by fostering dialogue, cooperation, and co-creation between these entities.

4. Inadequate Advocacy and Lobbying Skills Among CSOs: Many CSOs lacked the capacity to engage in effective advocacy and lobbying. The project sought to build the skills of civil society representatives, helping them understand how to advocate for policy changes and influence decision-making processes.

5. Lack of Knowledge and Tools for Open Governance: Many CSOs were unfamiliar with open governance principles, such as open data, digital democracy, and citizen participation. The project aimed to provide education and resources to equip civil society with the knowledge and tools to actively participate in open governance.

6. Raising Public Awareness on Governance Issues: Finally, there was a challenge in raising public awareness about the importance of open governance, transparency, and the role of civil society in governance. The project aimed to increase awareness through events, webinars, and digital communication channels.

In response to these challenges, the "WeOpenGov" project focused on capacity-building, promoting transparency, fostering collaborations between civil society and the government, and creating a sustainable network for open governance.

The "WeOpenGov" project aimed to enhance civil society engagement and promote open governance through various activities that emphasized co-creation, transparency, and participatory practices. Here are the key activities and outputs of the project:

  • Establishment of a Network: 

    • The project facilitated the creation of 27 MoUs with a variety of stakeholders, formalizing partnerships and solidifying a network of organizations committed to open governance principles.

  • Development of Strategic Communication Plan:

    • The project created a comprehensive Strategic Communication Plan to effectively reach its target audiences, including civil society organizations (CSOs), public institutions, and the broader community.

  • Training and Capacity Building on Open Governance and Advocacy:

    • The project designed and delivered training programs on open governance, advocacy, and policy engagement. These programs were aimed at building the capacity of CSOs to actively participate in governance processes and advocate for policy changes. 155 individuals participated in the project’s training programs, with 73 of them successfully completing the courses. These trainings equipped participants with the necessary skills to contribute to open governance and advocacy efforts.

  • Creation of Digital Assets:

    • Several digital tools were created to increase engagement, including a project website and active social media channels. These platforms served as hubs for information sharing, updates, and engagement with stakeholders.

  • Co-Creation Ethics and Participatory Practices:

    • The project focused on co-creation ethics, ensuring all stakeholders were involved in the decision-making process. This participatory approach aimed to ensure transparency, inclusivity, and mutual trust.

  • International Collaboration and Exchange:

    • The project engaged in international collaboration, particularly with partners in Finland, to exchange best practices and insights on open governance and civil society involvement. This helped to enhance the project’s impact and incorporate global perspectives into local contexts.

  • Online Events, Webinars, and Workshops:

    • A series of online events, webinars, and workshops were organized to promote open data, digital democracy, and participatory governance. These events aimed to raise public awareness and foster discussions on the role of civil society in governance.

The "WeOpenGov" project achieved several key results and outcomes, with significant impacts on various stakeholders, particularly civil society organizations (CSOs), government entities, and the broader public. Below are the results and the beneficiaries: 

  • Strengthened Collaboration Between Civil Society and Public Institutions. The project fostered collaboration between civil society and public institutions through the establishment of a robust network of 26 with various stakeholders for ongoing cooperation on open governance initiatives. 
  • Capacity Building for Civil Society Organizations (CSOs).  The project successfully built the capacity of 155 individuals from 73 CSOs through targeted educational programs on open governance, advocacy, and transparency. This included the development of training materials, workshops, webinars, and online courses. The trained individuals gained critical skills in advocacy, lobbying, and participatory governance. This empowered them to better engage in policy-making processes, advocate for public policies, and hold public institutions accountable.
  • Enhanced Public Awareness and Participation in Open Governance. The project raised public awareness of key governance issues such as open data, digital democracy, and participatory governance. The project organized numerous events, including webinars, workshops, and online events, and created digital assets such as a project website and social media channels to disseminate information. Public awareness of governance issues increased, leading to greater civic engagement. Citizens were empowered to participate in the decision-making processes and advocate for transparent and accountable governance.
  • Promotion of Open Governance and Ethical Practices. The project successfully promoted open governance and co-creation ethics, ensuring that all stakeholders were involved in the decision-making process in a transparent and inclusive manner. This promoted transparency, accountability, and participatory governance, enhancing the legitimacy of government actions and ensuring that policy decisions better reflected the needs and interests of citizens.

Beneficiaries

  • CSOs: These organizations benefitted from capacity-building, increased advocacy skills, and strengthened relationships with government institutions. They now have the tools and knowledge to engage in open governance practices and influence public policies.
  • Government Institutions: Through partnerships and the establishment of MoUs, government representatives have been exposed to new perspectives and collaborative approaches, leading to better governance practices.
  • The General Public: Increased awareness of open governance and opportunities for participation in the democratic process empowered citizens to take a more active role in shaping governance and advocating for transparency and accountability.

Information on the projects funded by the EEA and Norway Grants is provided by the Programme and Fund Operators in the Beneficiary States, who are responsible for the completeness and accuracy of this information.