Open Government action plan 2021 to 2025: commitment 5 – participation milestone progress

Developing an active and inclusive Open Government network for participation

Milestone: diversify and increase capacity of the Open Government Civil Society Network

Timescales

2022 onwards.

Where we started

Supporting civic spaces and the diversification of civil society representation, including their activity in the work of open government, is vital to embedding open government principles and practices. This activity was identified as a priority as it was felt that Scotland’s Open Government Network could benefit from diversification and the introduction of new ideas and energy.

What changed and why

It has proved challenging to find the capacity in both government and civil society to undertake this.

This included initial milestone work to:

• establish Network: scope in collaboration with civil society, develop terms of reference (January 2022)
• engage Network as a key route to make the Participation Framework publicly useable and useful (February 2022)
• consider how the Network can be supported to engage with and provide shared learning and training opportunities for Ministers and government officials, and civil society
• this will include reflecting on the role that civil society has and could have in taking better and fairer decisions and inclusively developing policy that meets a wide range of needs (2022 onwards)

Where we are now

This continues to be a priority for Scottish Government and civil society. It is proposed that the detail of this milestone is revised to reflect current levels of resourcing and to better meet civil society expectations.

New Communications work is being undertaken that aims to increase engagement with a wider range of civil society representatives and stakeholders.

What activity this will involve

Initially, activity will focus on working collaboratively with Scotland’s Open Government Civil Society Network Committee to identify deliverable actions as part of an external Communications strategy. A clearer work plan will follow from these discussions.

Milestone status

In progress, behind schedule.