Open Government action plan 2021 to 2025 - commitment 5: participation

Progress to August 2022

Milestone: Participation framework: developing knowledge and skills across Scottish Government (beginning autumn 2021).

Update and next steps

A timeline and work plan have been developed.

Status

In progress.

Milestone: Participation Framework: embedding equalities and an inclusive approach (beginning autumn 2021).

Update and next steps

A rapid review of the Particpation Framework from Talat Yaqoob and input from Equality, Inclusion and Human Rights teams across Scottish Government have been obtained.

A timeline and work plan have been developed.

Status

In progress.

Milestone: Institutionalising Participation and Deliberative Democracy working group: reporting and beginning processes of change to make participation routine and effective (autumn 2021 onwards).

Update and next steps

The working group report was published Spring 2022, outlining recommendations for developing a broad range of participation and democratic innovations, and using this system as a basis to establish routine use of Citizens' Assemblies in Scotland.

A Scottish Government response is still pending. The Open Government team are working to progress this.

Status

On schedule.

Milestone: Embedding Open Government principles in the planning, conduct and outputs of annual Citizens’ Assemblies (from December 2021).

Update and next steps

The planning for annual Citizens’ Assemblies is at an early stage but is ongoing.

The Open Government team have been feeding into this process where possible.

Status

In progress.

Milestone: Developing an active and inclusive Open Government Network for Participation (2022 onwards).

Update and next steps

A communication and engagement plan to diversify the Open Government Network has been developed and agreed with SCDC, and will commence in autumn 2022.

Work is underway to identify options for an alternative online forum that offers greater accessibility and usability.

Status

On schedule.

Milestone: Review of consultations - spend, approach, monitoring (autumn 2022).

Update and next steps

Work will commence in autumn 2022.

Status

To be completed.

Milestone: Monitoring the completion of local authorities delivery of 1% of budgets through participatory budgeting (from autumn 2021).

Update and next steps

TBC

Status

TBC

Milestone: Implementation of the National Participatory Budgeting Strategic Group’s framework for the future of participatory budgeting and embedding open government principles (September 2021).

Update and next steps

The National Participatory Budgeting Strategic Group have co-designed and established the ‘Framework for the Future of PB in Scotland’. This framework includes five core themes, underpinned by sixteen priority recommendations to carry forward in strengthening PB in Scotland.

A core theme is ‘Cross-cutting Priorities’, which includes Priority 7. Prioritiy 7 has been established to find the best role for Participatory Budgeting in the cross-cutting issue of climate justice, with a focus on a Just Transition with opportunities for participation in tackling climate change.

The Strategic Group met on 18 August 2022 to continue discussions around how to progress the green Participatory Budgeting agenda.

Status

In progress.

Milestone: Explore the use of Participatory Budgeting in 2021‑22 as part of our wider support for community‑led climate action.

Update and next steps

As part of the Just Transition Fund 2022/23, £1 million capital fund is to be delivered through a participatory budgeting process, where local communities in the North East and Moray will have a direct say on how money will be spent on projects working towards a just transition to net zero.

TSI Moray, Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire will lead and manage the PB initiative, with support from Money for Moray Group (M4M) and North East Scotland’s Climate Action Network (NESCAN).

Indicative timescales for the Just Transition Participatory Budgeting (JTPB) initiative is to launch the fund in mid-September with a closing date in early November. In person and online voting will take place during December with the capital funding allocated to successful applicants in January 2023.  Evaluation will be carried out following the process and learning will be shared widely, which will help to inform the JT PB fund for 2023/24 onwards.

Scotland is now being recognised internationally for its green Participatory Budgeting commitments.

As part of a shared learning programme, the UK has been invited as one of the four nations to contribute their learnings and experience on green Participatory Budgeting. This will run from November to the end of the year, sharing green PB experience across the UK, Spain, Portugal and France.

The Scottish Community Development Centre (SCDC) will lead on facilitating the workshop in Scotland, with support from the Scottish Government and other national partners and academics.

Status

On schedule.

Milestone: Identify opportunities at COP26 to develop the concept of Participatory Budgeting for climate action – both in Scotland and abroad – and identify opportunities to develop programmes specifically involving schools and young people.

Update and next steps

An Open Government Ministerial panel event was held at COP26, hosted by the Nordic Pavilion. A video of the event is available.

Members of the Climate Assembly and the Children’s Parliament asked questions at the event, with a focus on how children and young people can be involved in climate action.

A follow up event for Climate Week 2022 is now being planned.

Status

In progress.

Milestone: Embedding participation as a core skill in centre of expertise (October 2021 to December 2021).

Update and next steps

This is delayed and is currently still in the set up phase. The Open Government team will continue to work with the relevant Scottish Government teams to progress.

Status

In progress.