Accountability via Mandate Plans (Govt. Program)

Accountability plans

Basque Government (Open Government Directorate) & Bizkaia Provincial Council (Observatory Directorate)

Open Data Euskadi and Linked Open Data

ILAB, Innovation Lab for Citizen engagement

Innovation Lab for Citizen Engagement

Open Eskola, Open School for citizens and for public governance

Basque Integrity System: Ethics in the public sphere

Basque Integrity System

Creating framework conditions for OGP participation

Conditions for OGP Participation

Description: Creating the basis to promote open government and formalize OGP participation in Germany. Aim: Optimizing the process of drafting and evaluating Germany’s National Action Plans inside and outside the government. Meeting the OGP requirements, in particular regarding transparent procedures, awareness-raising and online and offline participation. Status quo: This first action plan is the basis for efforts in the framework of OGP participation and brings attention to open government across policy areas. While OGP countries are largely free to shape the participation process, this requires a structured approach taking into account the national context. There is a need for definitions and information on what OGP participation means for public administrations and stakeholders. Ambition: An inclusive, transparent and orderly OGP participation process promotes open government discussions in Germany and the sustainability of the measures. By implementing this commitment, participation processes will become structured and accessible to relevant stakeholders, taking into account federal structures. New or ongoing: new Implemented by: Federal Ministry of the Interior (BMI) Organizations involved in implementation: Federal ministries20, state authorities, local authorities Organizational unit and contact: Division O1, O1@bmi.bund.de Open government values addressed: Participation, accountability, transparency, innovation Relevance: This commitment creates key prerequisites for further OGP participation. All dimensions of open government are affected.

Federal Ministry of the Interior (BMI)

Federal ministries20, state authorities, local authorities

Implementing open data in administrative practice

Open Data in Administrative Practice

Description: With its open data legislation, the Federal Government has implemented a key element of the G8 action plan. The E-Government Act creates the basis for actively providing open data of federal authorities. However, the act’s success will strongly depend on effective implementation. To this end, knowledge about open data in the federal administration will be enhanced to ensure that data are provided in a consistent manner. Provision of open data will be tailored to the users’ needs. Aim: Strengthening the shared basis of knowledge and identifying consistent criteria for implementing open data in the federal administration to arrive at a common understanding for putting the idea of open data into practice. Status quo: By signing the G8 Open Data Charter and adopting a National Action Plan, Germany prepared the ground for open data in the federal administration. Participation in OGP underlines the Federal Government’s resolve to continue on its way towards more transparency, openness and participation also in the future. The open data legislation has created a uniform basis for providing open data of the federal administration. Ambition: The Federal Government wants to become a pioneer in the field of open data. Publishing data as open data will become common administrative practice. This will generate an ecosystem of public administration data which will serve as a basis for transparency and innovation and satisfy the users’ needs. New or ongoing: new Implemented by: Federal Ministry of the Interior (BMI) Organizations involved in implementation: Federal ministries Organizational unit and contact: Division O1, O1@bmi.bund.de Open government values addressed: Transparency, innovation Relevance: Open data creates transparency and therefore is a basis for open government.

Federal Ministry of the Interior (BMI)

Federal ministries

Promoting the open data environment

Open Data Environment

Description: Identifying and reducing shortcomings and unresolved questions to establish a reliable open data ecosystem. Communicating with stakeholders to promote the use and quality of open data. Aim: To promote the provision of open data, intensifying dialogue with the research community, civil society, businesses and international partners by discussing the need for open data, improving the quality of publication and sharing experiences. Status quo: The open data legislation will significantly increase the amount of data provided by public administration. However, good, useful open data services rely not only on quantity but also on quality. By participating in OGP, Germany has committed itself to the principles of open and transparent government. In addition to accumulating knowledge in public administration, dialogue with civil society and international exchange therefore play an important role. To ensure a balanced approach which is in line with other countries’ practices of providing data, we need to identify and effectively overcome existing shortcomings and clarify unresolved questions. Ambition: The Federal Government wants to become a pioneer in the field of open data. Existing potential for improvement must be identified and shortcomings must be reduced. Action should be tailored to the users’ needs. New or ongoing: new Implemented by: Federal Ministry of the Interior (BMI) Organizations involved in implementation: - Organizational unit and contact: Division O1, O1@bmi.bund.de Open government values addressed: Transparency, innovation Relevance: Open data create transparency and are therefore a basis for open government

Federal Ministry of the Interior (BMI)

Better access to and easy use of spatial data

Access to Spatial Data

Description: Spatial data are data which link information to a location or space. They permeate all areas of life and are an essential resource of a digital society. To tap the full potential of spatial data, the Federal Government seeks to ensure the basic supply and make available a broad range of such data for spatial decision-making. Another aim is to make spatial data easier to use. Innovation is to be promoted by encouraging, testing and supporting the implementation of new services. Aim: In addition to organizing more expert conferences and discussions on the benefits of spatial data as well as the access to and use of such data, in the next two years the focus will be on interoperable, standardized, free and open provision of spatial data in accordance with the Spatial Data Access Act. Participation of civil society in collecting data will also be taken into account. Status quo: In the National Spatial Data Strategy, federal, state and local governments in consultation with businesses, the research community and stakeholders agreed on goals to make spatial data accessible in an effective and economic manner and use them to gain added value. In its 4th GeoProgress Report, the Federal Government has committed to pursuing further measures which also support the OGP process. Ambition: The measures aim at improving the use of spatial data, in particular those provided by public authorities. Until 2019, the focus will be on ensuring interoperable and open provision. New or ongoing: ongoing Implemented by: Federal Ministry of the Interior (BMI) and other federal ministries in the IMAGI (Interministerial Committee for Spatial Data), depending on responsibility for individual measures (in particular Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure (BMVI); Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety (BMUB); Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi); Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL)) Organizations involved in implementation: Steering committee GDI-DE (Spatial Data Infrastructure Germany) Organizational unit and contact: Division O7, O7@bmi.bund.de Open government values addressed: Transparency, technology/innovation, participation Relevance: Spatial data are an important basis for location services, the use of relevant spatial data and the interaction of users (citizens, businesses, researchers) with government services and thus a basis for an innovative information ecosystem as defined by OGP.

Federal Ministry of the Interior (BMI) and other federal ministries in the IMAGI (Interministerial Committee for Spatial Data), depending on responsibility for individual measures (in particular Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure (BMVI); Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety (BMUB); Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi); Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL))

Steering committee GDI-DE (Spatial Data Infrastructure Germany)

Financial transparency – implementing the EITI standard

Financial Transparency - EITI Standard

Description: To meet the standard of the international Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) in Germany, we are working with a multi-stakeholder group (MSG) composed of the ministries concerned, the federal states, municipalities, civil society and businesses. The progress of national efforts (D-EITI) will be tracked in particular in an annual report which compares payments by extractive enterprises with the corresponding revenues of government agencies. Moreover, the DEITI report will include comprehensive and understandable explanations on Germany’s extractive industries (e.g. legal framework, extracted resources, system of taxes and duties, and data on production and export) and address several special issues (e.g. intervention regulation under nature conservation law, renewable energy resources, etc.). In addition, information about mining rights will also be made public. Aim: Increasing transparency and accountability in extractive industries and strengthening dialogue with extractive industries stakeholders. Increasing accessibility and usability of government and business data and information on German extractive industries by publishing it on a public online portal and as open data. Status quo: Since February 2016, Germany has been a member of EITI and is currently preparing for the first reporting period (first D-EITI report to be submitted in August 2017). The multi-stakeholder process to implement the EITI standard was initiated in March 2015. For the purpose of implementation, representatives from the private sector and civil society identified common goals at MSG level. For example, in addition to fulfilling the mandatory requirements of the EITI standard, they seek to jointly promote more transparency. Ambition: With D-EITI, the Federal Government sends an important signal for strengthening the initiative worldwide. The multi-stakeholder process which shapes implementation of the initiative in Germany is also an innovative network strengthening cooperation between government, businesses and civil society as well as dialogue and transparency in Germany’s extractive industries. New or ongoing: ongoing Implemented by: Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi) Organizations involved in implementation: D-EITI secretariat; Federal Ministry of Finance; Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development; Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety; state ministries of finance and economic affairs; state mining authorities; local associations; stakeholders of the extractive industry in Germany, including from the private sector (e.g. Federation of German Industries (BDI), Association of German Chambers of Commerce and Industry (DIHK) and civil society (e.g. Transparency International, Open Knowledge Foundation), who are represented in the MSG. Organizational unit and contact: Division IVB2, buero-ivb2@bmwi.bund.de Open government values addressed: Participation, transparency, accountability Relevance: With EITI, Germany is implementing the most important international standard for transparency and accountability in the extractive sector and is helping to further develop the standard and expand the initiative. Participation of government, industry and civil society in the MSG is an innovative model for participatory and responsive industrial policy. By presenting government data and contextual information on a web portal, activities of the government and public administration in the extractive industries become more transparent and understandable for citizens. The D-EITI open data approach will also improve the re-use and distribution of data and facilitate new innovative forms of cooperation.

Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi)

D-EITI secretariat; Federal Ministry of Finance; Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development; Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety; state ministries of finance and economic affairs; state mining authorities; local associations; stakeholders of the extractive industry in Germany, including from the private sector (e.g. Federation of German Industries (BDI), Association of German Chambers of Commerce and Industry (DIHK) and civil society (e.g. Transparency International, Open Knowledge Foundation), who are represented in the MSG

Transparency in development policy

Transparency in Development Policy

Description: To meet international transparency requirements in Germany’s development cooperation, the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) will carry out consultations and improve data quality. Aim: In addition to meeting international transparency requirements in Germany’s development cooperation, the quality and quantity of data is to be improved. Moreover, civil society and the government are to engage in forms of transparency dialogue (events, workshops), and a more userfriendly data format for BMZ IATI information is to be developed. Status quo: Transparency and accountability are key concerns of Germany’s development policy. At the Fourth High-level Forum on Aid Effectiveness in Busan in 2011, participants agreed on introducing a uniform transparency standard for development services. This Common Open Standard for Aid Transparency is based on the requirements of the statistical reporting system of the Development Assistance Committee (DAC) at the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and the standard of the International Aid Transparency Initiative (IATI), of which Germany was a founding member. With the Common Open Standard for Transparency, donor and partner countries as well as civil society and public sector organizations jointly seek to provide comprehensive and understandable information about how the money of international development cooperation is spent. In December 2012, the BMZ published a national plan to implement the transparency standards. Since March 2013, it has been publishing comprehensive information about projects and programmes of bilateral development cooperation in line with the IATI standard. To improve the quality and quantity of the data, the BMZ works closely with its executive organizations. To advance implementation of the international transparency requirements in Germany’s development cooperation, the BMZ has entered into a more intensive dialogue with the federal ministries and civil society. Since 2008, the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety (BMUB) has been publishing information about all projects of the International Climate Initiative (IKI); since June 2016 IKI data have been published in line with the IATI standard. New or ongoing: ongoing Implemented by: Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development Organizations involved in implementation: Federal executive agencies (GIZ, KfW), BMUB, Federal Foreign Office Organizational unit and contact: Division 414, Karin.Jansen@bmz.bund.de Ambition: The BMZ continuously seeks to improve the quality and quantity of its data, thus promoting transparency in development cooperation, laying the foundation for effective development cooperation also in view of implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Open government values addressed: Participation, transparency, accountability, technology/innovation Relevance: Transparency in development cooperation is a key measure that meets the requirements of good governance and accountability. In addition, implementing the IATI standard fulfils secondary requirements by involving businesses and civil society and creating technical prerequisites and interoperability standards for re-using the data (also as open data).

Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development

Federal executive agencies (GIZ, KfW), BMUB, Federal Foreign Office

Open data for intelligent mobility

Open Data for Intelligent Mobility

Description: Making available the data of the Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure (BMVI), linking them with third-party data and funding data-related application development will create an ecosystem for intelligent mobility. Aim: The BMVI wants to create and specifically promote a culture of transparency and responsiveness as well as creative solutions for issues of transport policy. The ministry seeks to achieve this through the mFUND funding programme for mobility and transport infrastructure and by connecting relevant stakeholders. To this end, it is necessary and planned to involve the ministry’s executive agencies in a coordinated manner. Technical and organizational framework conditions are to be created. Status quo: Public administration data (in particular mobility data) are not yet sufficiently made public and accessible to businesses, civil society, researchers or even to public administration; potential for innovation lies unused. The mFUND research initiative is intended to remedy this situation by generating more open mobility data and use cases for these data. Ambition: An ecosystem of mobility data and innovations for intermodal transport and mobility of the future will be established. The desired outcomes rely on active involvement of users in the BMVI’s open data project. This is based on three principles: information about users; open data services tailored to the users’ needs; and promoting co-creation with users. New or ongoing: ongoing Implemented by: Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure Organizations involved in implementation: BMVI executive agencies; industry (SME and startups), research community, civil society Organizational unit and contact: Division DG25, ref-dg25@bmvi.bund.de Open government values addressed: Participation, transparency, technology/innovation Relevance: The commitment creates transparency for the open (government) data (in particular mobility data) of the ministry and its 15 executive agencies, promotes the goals of the Open Government Partnership and supports technological innovation.

Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure

BMVI executive agencies; industry (SME and startups), research community, civil society

Strengthening citizen participation in environmental policy and urban development

Citizen Participation in Environmental Policy and Urban Development

Description: Strengthening citizen participation in decision-making in the field of environmental and urban development policy. Promoting citizen participation at federal level, among other things by expanding informal participation processes, e.g. update of the Climate Action Plan 2050, resource efficiency programme ProgRess III, implementing the Integrated Environmental Programme 2030 (IUP), participating in the 2017 UN Climate Conference (inviting young people, including school children); by organizing new dialogues to advise policy-makers on relevant decisions in the 19th legislative term; by participating in networks and bodies; by carrying out events. Aim: Further strengthening and expanding public participation in environmental policy decisionmaking and in the field of urban development. Status quo: In the 18th legislative term, the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety (BMUB) strengthened citizen participation at federal level, e.g. by establishing a citizen participation division, carrying out informal citizen participation procedures for key federal decision-making processes (Climate Action Plan 2050, German resource efficiency programme II, Integrated Environmental Programme 2030 (IUP), first international citizen participation in the 2015 UN Climate Conference in Paris, selection of a final disposal site for highly radioactive waste), carrying out research projects and public events on citizen participation (tips for successful public participation in large-scale projects (3x3 einer guten Öffentlichkeitsbeteiligung bei Großprojekten)). Ambition: Within its remit, the BMUB uses state-of-the-art and sophisticated citizen participation processes, systematically improves them and publishes the results. This also helps other stakeholders (in particular federal ministries, state authorities and municipalities). Approaches in the next two to four years will include: public participation and testing citizen participation in decision-making processes in the field of environmental policy; developing new forms of online participation and better interlocking formal and informal participation. New or ongoing: new Implemented by: Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety Organizations involved in implementation: Citizens and, depending on the topic, associations, private sector, multilateral organizations (e.g. UN, OECD) Organizational unit and contact: Division G II 2, Michael.Muennich@bmub.bund.de Open government values addressed: Participation, transparency Relevance: Creating more possibilities for people to participate in policy-making is an explicit aim of the Federal Government. In addition to applying participation processes in practice, tools of citizen participation must be systematically monitored and developed. Using and improving this tool box has a direct impact on OGP goals.

Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety

Citizens and, depending on the topic, associations, private sector, multilateral organizations (e.g. UN, OECD)

ElterngeldDigital/electronic procedures for family benefits

Electronic Procedures for Family Benefits

Description: Effectively ensuring modern and transparent access to information and application processes for parental allowance and other family benefits. In the future, parents can use an online platform to find information, in particular on the parental allowance, more easily and to be guided through the application process by an application wizard. We are also examining for which other family benefits an electronic application would be suitable. Aim: Giving citizens transparent and easily understandable access to information about family benefits. By using new technologies (online application wizard) as well as legally secure language that is easy to understand, we want to make applying for benefits easier and more transparent for citizens. The goal is to create a seamless electronic application process. Status quo: At the moment, electronic application for parental allowance is possible only in certain federal states. In the future, a standardized application wizard is intended to help parents in easily understood language complete the application and plan the parental allowance. The service will be gradually released in the pilot federal states in summer/autumn 2017. Project advisory board ElterngeldDigital/Digitalisierung familienbezogener Leistungen (digital parental allowance/electronic procedures for family benefits), a working group formerly called Elterngeldantrag Online/Digitalisierung familienbezogener Leistungen (online application for parental allowance/electronic procedures for family benefits) (established in September 2016). Ambition: Parents will have a transparent and understandable service for a key life event. New or ongoing: ongoing Implemented by: Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth (BMFSFJ) Organizations involved in implementation: State family ministries, municipalities, Init AG (private sector), project advisory board ElterngeldDigital/Digitalisierung familienbezogener Leistungen (working group), local authorities’ national associations, research partners Organizational unit and contact: Division DG2, dg2@bmfsfj.bund.de, Friederike Schubart, Friederike.Schubart@bmfsfj.bund.de Open government values addressed: Transparency, accountability, technology/innovation Relevance: The action promotes transparency of the parental allowance and other family benefits and makes access to information easier. It also reduces processing times at the parental allowance offices

Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth (BMFSFJ)

State family ministries, municipalities, Init AG (private sector), project advisory board ElterngeldDigital/Digitalisierung familienbezogener Leistungen (working group), local authorities’ national associations, research partners

Knowledge network for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people

Knowledge Network for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex People

Description: The online information portal will provide interested citizens, experts as well as persons concerned and their families with information about gender diversity and same-sex ways of life. The portal will also be accompanied by public relations activities. By providing efficient access, the overall project will have a strong social impact and contribute to further awareness-raising in society in order to promote acceptance of LGBTI people (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people). Aim: The Federal Government’s aim is to provide persons concerned, their families and the public with information (here the LGBTI knowledge network) about existing legal provisions and about where to find advice and further support. It also seeks to increase acceptance, use the possibilities of new technologies, raise awareness, improve the quality of data on research and social questions concerning gender identity and samesex ways of life, encourage participation and involve NGOs. Status quo: LGBTI people still face discrimination in our society. Federal states and individual municipalities promote advisory and support services for LGBTI people. Especially in rural and sparsely populated areas, services are not always available. Ambition: Improving data for the general public and experts, in particular on gender identity. Fulfilling the requirement of the United Nations CEDAW (Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women) Committee to pay greater attention to the situation of transgender and intersex people as well as the obligation under the Coalition Agreement to focus on the special situation of transgender and intersex people and to raise public awareness of the issue. New or ongoing: new Implemented by: Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth (BMFSFJ) Organizations involved in implementation: External partners for planning the content (previous consultation of civil society, implementation by external agency) Organizational unit and contact: Division 215, Ina-Marie Blomeyer, referat215@bmfsfj.bund.de Open government values addressed: Participation, transparency, technology/innovation Relevance: Promoting acceptance, providing access to information for LGBTI people, their families and the general public, recommending available expert advisory structures (i.e. providing information on where to find which advisory services), using an online information portal (knowledge network)

Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth (BMFSFJ)

External partners for planning the content (previous consultation of civil society, implementation by external agency)

Local Alliances for Family initiative

Local Alliances for Family Initiative

Description: Local alliances bring together policy-makers, businesses and civil society to discuss how work and family commitments can be combined and develop measures to support families. Aim: Expanding family-friendly measures at local level, also by using more digital information formats. Status quo: About 620 local alliances for family offer specific measures for businesses and families to reconcile family and work commitments at local level. Since the federal Local Alliances for Family initiative launched in 2004, these local alliances between municipalities, businesses, employment agencies, care facilities, free initiatives and engaged citizens have been created and have noticeably improved the compatibility of family and work, e.g. through online family guidebooks, holiday care for children and advisory services for businesses. Ambition: Further strengthening public awareness of the issue of combining family and work commitments, providing more professional communication channels for stakeholders and addressees (online community) and expanding cooperation. New or ongoing: ongoing Implemented by: Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth (BMFSFJ) Organizations involved in implementation: Municipalities, rural districts, schools, associations, businesses, charities, support and advisory services, independent child and youth welfare agencies, employers’ associations, employment agencies/centres and chambers; “Success Factor Family” network Organizational unit and contact: Division 205, 205@bmfsfj.bund.de Open government values addressed: Participation Relevance: Locally bringing together all relevant stakeholders across sectors to pool resources and to help families reconcile family and work through public information processes.

Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth (BMFSFJ)

Municipalities, rural districts, schools, associations, businesses, charities, support and advisory services, independent child and youth welfare agencies, employers’ associations, employment agencies/centres and chambers; “Success Factor Family” network

Monitoring the share of women and men in leadership positions, private sector bodies and the public service

Share of Women and Men in Leadership Positions, Private and Private Sectors

Description: Regular monitoring reports on the development of the share of women and men in leadership positions and in private sector bodies and the public service in the framework of implementing the Act on Equal Participation of Women and Men in Leadership Positions in the Private and the Public Sector (Gesetz für die gleichberechtigte Teilhabe von Frauen und Männern an Führungspositionen in der Privatwirtschaft und im öffentlichen Dienst, FüPoG). Aim: Increasing public awareness of participation of women and men in leadership positions by examining the effectiveness of the act and informing the public about the objectives of businesses and the federal administration. Status quo: The first annual information of the Federal Government about the development of the share of women and men in leadership positions and in bodies of the private and public sector was published on 9 March 2017 (Bundesrat document 193/17). Ambition: Changing corporate culture over the long term to get more women into leadership positions by giving the topic more prominence in public discourse in order to encourage companies to do more to ensure equal participation of women and men. New or ongoing: ongoing Implemented by: Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth (BMFSFJ), Federal Ministry of Justice and Consumer Protection (BMJV) Organizations involved in implementation: Federal Statistical Office, Bundesanzeiger publishing house Organizational unit and contact: Project Group for monitoring and implementing the FüPo Act, PGFuePo@bmfsfj.bund.de; Anna Riecken, Anna.Riecken@bmfsfj.bund.de; Division III A 2, Ulrich Seibert, seibert-ul@bmjv.bund.de Open government values addressed: Transparency, accountability Relevance: The public will gain access to understandable information on equal participation of women and men in leadership positions. This will create the necessary verifiability and transparency of progress in implementing the law and of its effectiveness. In addition, transparency will be promoted through an interactive data tool. The monitoring results are presented at www.bmfsfj.de/quote

Federal Statistical Office, Bundesanzeiger publishing house

Federal Statistical Office, Bundesanzeiger publishing house

Promoting open access to academic literature

Open Access to Academic Literature

Description: In Germany, science and research frequently receive public funding. Citizens wish to share in the results of such research. This can be achieved by making academic literature available free of charge on the Internet, for example. Researchers make their papers available on websites or in databases under the keyword “open access” without any legal or financial obstacles to the public. In addition to this simple access to academic literature, open access allows for new ways of disseminating scientific knowledge. The Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) has launched a competition to fund innovative projects for further promoting the open access principle at universities and research institutes. The projects are intended to overcome existing reservations and obstacles for researchers to publish their literature on the Internet free of charge. Aim: Making open access to academic literature a standard for academic publishing so that the public can better share in the results of government-funded research. Currently, only some researchers decide to make their literature freely available on the Internet. To raise awareness of open access, we need specific projects which show how this principle can work in practice. The aim is to reduce existing reservations against new forms of publication and to improve the practical use of open access publications. In the medium term, we intend to make open access a standard method of academic publication in Germany. Status quo: The research community generally supports and promotes open access. In their Berlin Declaration, the large research organizations, the German Rectors’ Conference, the German Council of Science and Humanities and many European and international research institutions declared open access publications vital to fulfilling their task of ensuring comprehensive and free access to knowledge. A study showed that about 90% of German researchers think that providing open access to their literature will benefit their field of work. Despite this largely positive attitude towards open access, researchers often refrain from publishing their own articles as open access. Therefore, we want to support in particular those projects which complement existing possibilities to publish freely available academic literature in Germany, create new possibilities and improve the conditions for open access publications. Ambition: Establishing open access as a standard of academic publication in the German research community. Publications from government-funded research should be freely available to the public, if possible. New or ongoing: new Implemented by: Federal Ministry of Education and Research Organizations involved in implementation: - Organizational unit and contact: Division D1, Philipp Zimbehl, Philipp.Zimbehl@bmbf.bund.de, posteingangd1@bmbf.bund.de Open government values addressed: Participation, innovation, transparency Relevance: Open access makes government-funded research more easily accessible for the general public. This way, also people who cannot directly participate in academia can follow developments in government-funded research.

Federal Ministry of Education and Research

Science Year 2018 – Working life of the future

Science Year 2018

Description: Science Years are intended to strengthen the public’s interest in science and research and to involve society in academic developments. The aim is to highlight the role of science and research in shaping our future. The Science Year 2018 will focus on the future of work. During that year, many activities will be organized for the interested public: large national hands-on campaigns, exhibitions, competitions, discussions and innovative online formats. This will give citizens and civilsociety organizations manifold opportunities to learn, participate and discuss with researchers, policy-makers and representatives from business and industry. Aim: The Science Year 2018 will highlight how science and research contribute to shaping the way we work by illustrating and encouraging discussion about the variety of opportunities and challenges in the future of work. The activities are intended to increase citizens’ appreciation of the role of research and of scientific jobs and encourage them to share their work experiences. Status quo: Science Years have been carried out and refined since 2000. Activities have become more diverse, including presentations, more participatory activities, discussions, interactive exhibitions, competitions, hands-on campaigns and citizen science projects. The current Science Year 2016*17 – Seas and Oceans will run until autumn 2017. Ambition: The Science Years strengthen dialogue between the research community and society also beyond the individual topic. In particular the funding projects contribute to developing and implementing new forms of dialogue and events. New or ongoing: ongoing Implemented by: Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) and Science in Dialogue (WiD) – an initiative of research organizations in Germany Organizations involved in implementation: Partners from research, society, politics and industry; federal ministries Organizational unit and contact: Division 113, Christian Herbst, christian.herbst@bmbf.bund.de Open government values addressed: Participation, transparency Relevance: The Science Years are an opportunity for participation and make science and research accessible for individual citizens and organized civil society.

Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) and Science in Dialogue (WiD) – an initiative of research organizations in Germany

Partners from research, society, politics and industry; federal ministries

Federal competition “Living Together Hand in Hand”

Federal Competition “Living Together Hand in Hand”

Description: We are carrying out the federal competition “Living Together Hand in Hand – Shaping Local Communities” (Zusammen leben Hand in Hand – Kommunen gestalten) aimed at identifying, initiating, rewarding and making known local activities to integrate immigrants and to foster engagement with the local community. The competition started with a kick-off event and will conclude with a local government conference. Aim: The federal competition aims at supporting municipalities as a local management level for social cohesion and integration. The Federal Ministry of the Interior will offer a total of up to one million euros to the winning entries. Status quo: Local authorities are the first point of contact for all practical questions of integration of immigrants as well as for people who want to become involved. They therefore play a vital role for social cohesion at local level. Ambition: By offering a prize and awarding it in public, the competition is intended to give an incentive to participating municipalities to develop or enhance their activities for greater interaction between immigrants and locals. Other municipalities will benefit from the winning ideas by using them as a model for their own efforts. New or ongoing: new Implemented by: Federal Ministry of the Interior (BMI), competition office at the German Institute of Urban Affairs (Difu) Organizations involved in implementation: The national associations of local authorities, the Association of German Foundations, the KGSt (Municipal Association for Administration Management) and the German Institute of Urban Affairs are intended to serve as cooperation partners and multipliers. Organizational unit and contact: Division GZ1, GZ1@bmi.bund.de Open government values addressed: Participation, transparency, innovation Relevance: By raising awareness of new and enhanced activities, the federal competition promotes information- and experience-sharing among municipalities and, by providing the possibility to cooperate with other stakeholders, increases the level of networking between municipalities and these stakeholders.

Federal Ministry of the Interior (BMI), competition office at the German Institute of Urban Affairs (Difu)

The national associations of local authorities, the Association of German Foundations, the KGSt (Municipal Association for Administration Management) and the German Institute of Urban Affairs are intended to serve as cooperation partners and multipliers.

Online Open Government Partnership community

Online Open Government Partnership community

To support the overall OGP work, an online community forum will be created as a meeting place for civil servants and others engaged in open government activities. The forum will support knowledge sharing and collaboration, the documentation and continued development of the Danish OGP portfolio of initiatives, and it will provide a platform for engaging civil society as a whole.

Agency for Digitisation (AFD)

Online OGP handbook for public authorities and institutions

Online OGP handbook for public authorities and institutions

Information and guidelines on how to develop and implement OGP initiatives and activities will be provided in an online format to help public authorities and institutions launch open government projects and successfully integrate open government practices into their routines. Ultimately, this material will constitute a handbook or “toolkit” for open government related work.

Agency for Digitisation (AFD)

Management labs and new forms of co-operation

Management labs and new forms of co-operation

The Central Denmark Regional Authority in partnership with municipalities and businesses will collaborate on new ways to involve citizens, employees and other stakeholders through “management labs” where stakeholders will participate in decision-making and the development of prototypes and large scale experiments.

Central Denmark Regional Authority

Consultation and Transparency of Development Aid Programmes: Design aid programmes

Consultation and Transparency of Development Aid Programmes: Design aid programmes

In connection with the forthcoming new law on foreign aid and development assistance, the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs will conduct public hearings on the design of future foreign aid programmes, allowing citizens and civil society to contribute input and suggestions to key development assistance issues and budgets of a certain size.

Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Innovate with Aarhus

Innovate with Aarhus

Aarhus Municipality will launch the innovation programme “Innovate With Aarhus” to encourage new approaches to public services provision by creating good conditions for broad collaboration, by earmarking funds for innovation and by highlowing best cases. This initiative aims to increase the innovative capacity and efficiency of Aarhus Municipality and to help develop new services for citizens.

Aarhus Municipality

Citizen self-services: Increasing the use of user ratings in the citizen’s port borger.dk

Citizen self-services: Increasing the use of user ratings in the citizen’s port borger.dk

The public citizens’ portal borger.dk will implement user assessment and comment functionality on self-service solutions and other content in the portal. The goal is to utilise user inputs as a support for the continuous improvement of borger.dk and related services, including services provided by third parties. Ratings and comments will be made available for public authorities, ICT developers and citizens to drive and support innovation.

Agency for Digitisation (AFD)

Open Government Camp

Open Government Camp

Based on previous experience with similar initiatives, an “Open Government Camp” event will be organized where citizens, businesses and NGOs may collaborate with public authorities and institutions on developing ideas, concepts and functional solutions based on government data, open source software, digital tools and new methods of collaboration. The camp will explore how civil society and public authorities can work together on problem-solving in new ways and together exploit digital technologies to make public welfare services more open, efficient and innovative. At the same time, the camp will serve as inspiration for public bodies to organize their own similar events or, in other ways, initiate co-creation and citizen involvement projects and practices.

Agency for Digitisation (AFD)

Renewed effort for open government data

Renewed effort for open government data

The government’s ‘Open Data Innovation Strategy’ (ODIS) initiative will be continued as part of the common public sector e-government strategy 2011-2015 to allow the public easier access to more re-useable public data. Guidelines and assistance will be provided to help public authorities make their data available for re-use, the public “Data Catalogue” will be maintained, knowledge sharing and collaboration will be facilitated, and examples of re-use of open data will be documented and shared.

Agency for Digitisation (AFD)

Regional initiative on open data

Regional initiative on open data

In partnership with municipalities and businesses, the Central Denmark Regional Authority will establish a regional public-private initiative to help realise the potentials associated with the re-use of data and better use of data. The initiative will be integrated with the regional authority’s work on geographic information systems (GIS) and digital self-service solutions.

Central Denmark Regional Authority

Municipalities and businesses

Reuse of open source software in the public sector

Reuse of open source software in the public sector

The Public portal, “Software Exchange”, where authorities can publish, share and re-use open source software, will expand co-operation with the ICT industry associations to stimulate the development of open source software for the “Software Exchange” and support the re-use of existing open source software in the public sector.

Agency for Digitisation (AFD)

Municipality of Gribskov, Municipality of Syddjurs, Municipality of Ballerup, Municipality of Ikast-Brande, Danish Maritime Authority, The 'Tagger' Project (tagger.dk), Municipality of Lyngby-Taarbæk, Ministry of Science, Innovation and Higher Education, Danish Geodata Agency, Agency for Digitisation

Citizen self-services: Binding guidelines for self-service solutions

Citizen self-services: Binding guidelines for self-service solutions

The public sector must exploit digital technologies to provide citizens with easy-to-use and efficient self-service solutions. To support the improvement of existing solutions and the development of new user-friendly solutions a set of guidelines on usability, accessibility, language, design, security, and the re-use of data will be published in 2012.

Agency for Digitisation (AFD)

Citizen self-services: Guidance and information on accessibility to digital solutions

Citizen self-services: Guidance and information on accessibility to digital solutions

To ensure that digital content and services are useable for all citizens, accessibility for persons with various disabilities must be addressed. The Danish Agency for Digitisation will provide information and guidance to public authorities on relevant guidelines and standards for ICT accessibility.

Agency for Digitisation (AFD)

Citizen self-services: Peer-to-peer learning programmes to help citizens use digital self-service

Citizen self-services: Peer-to-peer learning programmes to help citizens use digital self-service

In collaboration with public libraries, community groups and volunteers, e.g. under the auspices of the Senior Citizens Association, information and peer-to-peer learning programmes will be implemented to help citizens and businesses obtain basic computer skills and learn to use digital self-service. Supporting the government’s goal of “full digitisation” for citizens in 2015 and for businesses in 2013, new target groups can be reached, and information and guidance can be provided in various ways which match those groups’ needs through a broad collaborative effort.

Agency for Digitisation (AFD)

Citizen self-services: Location-based content and re-use of content in borger.dk

Citizen self-services: Location-based content and re-use of content in borger.dk

The citizen’s portal borger.dk will be further developed to become the citizens’ secure and easy access to public self-service solutions and to personalised information on housing, health, taxation, rights and duties, etc. Functionality will be added to support location-specific content which provides citizens with information that is specifically relevant to each individual user’s location (i.e. in a municipality). A content export feature will also be implemented to make possible re-use of portal content in other public websites across the public sector.

Agency for Digitisation (AFD)

Less reporting through increased re-use of key data

Less reporting through increased re-use of key data

Many citizens and businesses expect that public authorities can share key data so that information need only be reported once. As part of the common public sector e-government strategy, a cross-governmental programme has been launched to improve re-use of key data in the public sector in order to reduce the need for repeated reporting of key data.

Agency for Digitisation (AFD)

MyPage” for businesses

MyPage” for businesses

A personalised “MyPage” for businesses will be developed in 2012 and 2013 for the national business portal virk.dk as part of the common public sector digitisation strategy. The objective is to provide each company with an overview of its basic registration data, active employee signatures, rights, and reporting.

Danish Business Authority

Agency for Digitisation (AFD)

Companies to be “born digitally”

Companies to be “born digitally”

A new service will be developed for the business portal virk.dk and on the “MyPage” for businesses that will ensure that new businesses “are born digitally”. The companies will get the most important digital tools such as digital signatures for employees and a digital company letter box as part of their registration in the national company register.

Danish Business Authority

Agency for Digitisation (AFD)

Creating a mediation and complaints institution for responsible business behaviour

Creating a mediation and complaints institution for responsible business behaviour

The Danish government will propose legislation for creating a mediation and complaints institution for responsible business behaviour where issues regarding Danish companies’ violation of international principles for social responsibilities, including human rights, can be investigated. The mediation and complaints institution shall comply with the UN recommendations on human rights and business, and with OECD’s guidelines on multi-national enterprises.

Danish Business Agency

International human rights conference

International human rights conference

In order to increase awareness in companies and broadly in the public of the new UN guidelines for human rights and business, an international conference on human rights is planned to take place on 7-8 May 2012 under the auspices of the Danish EU Presidency.

Danish Business Agency

Promote social responsibility in the fashion business

Promote social responsibility in the fashion business

The Danish government will take the lead in the first UN initiative for social responsibility in the fashion business. The Danish Fashion Institute has partnered with the UN on the development of a new “code of conduct” that will set guidelines for social responsibility in the fashion business. The objective of the guidelines is to promote responsibility throughout the fashion business. The guidelines will be launched 3 May 2012 during the Copenhagen Fashion Summit.

Danish Business Agency

Reporting on human rights and the climate

Reporting on human rights and the climate

The Danish government will propose an expansion of the Danish Financial Statements Act, §99a to ensure that the largest Danish enterprises in their reporting on social responsibility have to explicitly consider their work on respecting human rights and on reducing their climate impact. In order to ensure that the enterprises have the right tools and the necessary guidance to respond to the new demands, the government will strengthen its guidance through e.g. the websites csr-kompasset.dk (“The Corporate Social Resonsibility Compass”) and klimakompasset.dk. (“The Climate Compass”).

Danish Business Agency

Country by country reporting in the extractive and forestry industries

Country by country reporting in the extractive and forestry industries

The Government will work to introduce Country-by-Country Reporting in the EU as an important step in the international fight against corruption and illegal tax evasion. By country-by-country reporting, companies in the extractive and forestry industries will openly disclose the payments they make to governments of the countries they operate in.

Danish Business Agency

Legislative principles for the digital age

Legislative principles for the digital age

The use of digital technologies is now applicable to all areas of public sector administration. We need to ensure that new legislation takes into account and allows for the utilisation of those technologies. This applies to mandatory digital communication, re-use of data and the use of the common digital infrastructure in the public sector, to mention just a few examples. In 2012, the government will establish principles for the drafting of legislation that take into account the increasing use of digital means and technologies in the public sector.

Agency for Digitisation (AFD)

Consolidated key data

Consolidated key data

Key data is the foundation on which public authorities provide services in a correct manner which is crucial with regards to citizens’ and businesses’ legal rights, and the efficiency and effectiveness of society as a whole. As part of the implementation of the common public sector e-government, a programme will be implemented to consolidate key data registers.

Agency for Digitisation (AFD)

App Store for digital learning resources

App Store for digital learning resources

The central government and the municipalities will prepare the creation of one or more market-based distribution platforms for digital learning resources, e.g. a kind of “app store”, to facilitate easy access to digital learning resources for teachers and pupils.

Uni-C (Part of the Agency for IT and learning under the Ministry of Education)

Preparing a digital reform of the public welfare areas

Preparing a digital reform of the public welfare areas

The government is preparing a reform of the welfare areas with a special focus on social security, health and education. The reform shall create a better framework for the use of existing welfare technological solutions, and recommend areas where the need and the potential for the use of welfare technological solutions are largest. As part of the preparations for such a reform, a comprehensive analysis will be made to assess how welfare technological solutions can increase productivity in the public sector and strengthen citizen engagement and empowerment.

Agency for Digitisation (AFD)

Consultation and Transparency of Development Aid Programmes: Transparency in aid

Consultation and Transparency of Development Aid Programmes: Transparency in aid

In 2012, the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs will launch a comprehensive transparency initiative that will present to Danish citizens as well as to partner countries detailed information about all foreign aid and development assistance projects and programmes

Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Tracking progress of universities’ transition to digital-only administrative communication

Tracking progress of universities’ transition to digital-only administrative communication

To create transparency about the process and to support sharing of experience the government will monitor and publicise reports on the activities and progress of all Danish universities in their transition to fully digital written communication.

Danish Agency for Higher Education

Disclosure of status reporting from the National IT Project Council

Disclosure of status reporting from the National IT Project Council

n order to support open government and increase the sharing of knowledge and experience as a basis for improving public ICT solutions and services, status reports from the National IT Projects Council on public ICT projects will be published.

Agency for Digitisation (AFD)

Overview of public ICT architecture

Overview of public ICT architecture

In order to create a more coherent public sector ICT and to strengthen the re-use of existing solutions, standards, data, applications and infrastructure, a comprehensive overview of public ICT architecture will be established as part of the implementation of the common public sector e-government strategy. The initiative supports professional decision-making, management of the strategy’s initiatives, and financial management. The structure of the architectural overview will consist of a collection of documentation on the ICT architecture structured on the basis of public architecture tools (OIOEA, FORM, and STORM).

Agency for Digitisation (AFD)

Publication of Educational Materials on the Government’s ICT Project Model

Publication of Educational Materials on the Government’s ICT Project Model

With a view to improve public sector ICT projects through the dissemination of information on the government’s ICT project model and good practice cases, educational materials about the model will be published under an open public license.

Agency for Digitisation (AFD)

Smart Aarhus and Smart Region: Smart Aarhus

Smart Aarhus and Smart Region: Smart Aarhus

Aarhus Municipality, in partnership with the Alexandra Institute, Aarhus University and Central Denmark Regional Authority, will carry out a large-scale initiative called “Smart Aarhus”. Based on collaboration between citizens, public sector and the private operators, the initiative aims to transform the city into an open digital platform which will support re-use of government data, citizen engagement, co-creation, and public-private co-operation. The initiative will be allowed to evolve through an ongoing and open process in which all businesses, citizens and NGOs are invited to take part. The “Smart Aarhus” initiative will also contribute to making Denmark an international pioneer of openness, democracy, and innovation by participating in knowledge sharing and the exchange of case studies.

Aarhus Municipality and Central Denmark Regional Authority

Smart Aarhus and Smart Region: Smart Region

Smart Aarhus and Smart Region: Smart Region

The Central Denmark Regional Authority will establish a broad regional initiative, “Smart Region”, as a way to organise public services more efficiently and create a more open and participative public sector as a driver for innovation. The initiative aims to create new ways of co-operation between companies, knowledge institutions, the public administration, and the citizens in order to support the development of creative ICT-based solutions to solve societal challenges and turn them into tomorrow’s business opportunities for the region’s companies, and new opportunities for citizens.

Aarhus Municipality and Central Denmark Regional Authority

Service check of local government consultations

Service check of local government consultations

The Government will set up a committee that is to implement a service check of statutory local government consultations and which is to look into the possibility of adjusting the rules governing local government consultations so as to plan for more expedient involvement of citizens and the business community in local government decisions without compromising on citizens’ civil rights.

Promote advance voting and participation of first-time voters

Call on all municipalities to facilitate advance voting

Call on all municipalities to facilitate advance voting

With a view to encouraging many young first-time voters to use their right to vote, a letter has been circulated to mayors throughout the country urging them to make it possible to vote in advance at e.g. educational establishments and in other places that are frequented by young people and other citizens on a daily basis.
The intention has been to make the option of advance voting more visible and accessible for citizens in the hope that it will have a positive impact on turnout.

Promote advance voting and participation of first-time voters

Letter of invitation to first-time voters urging them to vote

Letter of invitation to first-time voters urging them to vote

Prior to the forthcoming local and regional elections in November, a letter of invitation will be sent to some of the first-time voters in these elections. The letter will provide information about the elections and urge the new voters to cast their vote.
Subsequently, the effect of this effort will be analysed as part of an election turnout project at Copenhagen University with a view to assessing how the message has affected the first-time voters.

Copenhagen University

Digital communication and inclusion

User friendliness requirements regarding digital self-service solutions

User friendliness requirements regarding digital self-service solutions

Up to 2015, there will be more and more areas where citizens are to encounter public authorities by going digital. It means that we ourselves must enter data, apply for e.g. support, and check the digital mailbox. The Government will facilitate the encounter with public authorities to maximum extent. Therefore, work is in progress to make self-service solutions as user friendly as possible – among other things by creating conditions for better data quality and by establishing coherence in the systems. It will mean that data are to be entered only once and subsequently shared across public authorities to an increasing extent.
For this purpose, the Government has drawn up a development guide for self- service solutions with 24 minimum requirements regarding user friendliness and accessibility in public self-service solutions when suppliers are to develop or revise a solution. The guide will be revised on an ongoing basis against the background of user tests, lessons learned and input from the users. All self- service solutions that become mandatory up to and including 2015 must meet all the requirements listed in the development guide regarding user friendliness and accessibility.

Digital communication and inclusion

Plan for inclusion during the transition to digital communication

Plan for inclusion during the transition to digital communication

Public authorities’ plan for inclusion covers a broad spectrum: from ensuring that help is integrated in the public self-service solutions to preparing and training the employees who encounter citizens on a day-to-day basis. The citizens who need help will find that it is provided at citizen service centres, at libraries, and in readily accessible data rooms nationwide that provide computer assistance to senior citizens.
Focus is at the same time also placed on stimulating citizens to explore the digital tools by showing examples of how digital technologies can open up an altogether new world of opportunities. The effort is planned and implemented in collaboration with e.g. the organisations representing older persons and the libraries that contribute to extending the reach of the work.

Senior Citizens Associations

Digital communication and inclusion

Common public sector digital communication campaign

Common public sector digital communication campaign

A comprehensive common public sector digital communication campaign will be launched in November 2013 with a view to supporting the effort to bring everybody on board the “digital express”. The idea of the campaign is to place focus on the fact that help is available. The website of “Learn more about ICT” (lærmereomit.dk) provides contact information about the many organisations, e.g. libraries, organisations representing older persons and adult education associations that offer ICT courses for special target groups. Instruction videos and other help and support are also available to citizens.
Danes will experience the campaign in the press and mass media, and all public authorities will have material at their disposal to be able to communicate the messages directly in the encounter with citizens.

Senior Citizens Associations and organisations having ICT courses for special target groups

Modernisation of the public sector and free municipalities

Principles for collaboration on the modernisation of the public sector as well as the establishment of a centre for public innovation

Principles for collaboration on the modernisation of the public sector as well as the establishment of a centre for public innovation

Together with employers and employees from the public labour market, the Government has adopted seven principles for collaboration on the modernisation of the public sector. The principles are to promote a performance of public tasks and a culture with a focus on trust, collaboration, results, efficiency, innovation, quality and professionalism. At the same time, these principles serve the purpose of supporting the many good initiatives across sectors and authorities that rethink and improve the public sector.
The adoption of the principles will be followed up on in 2014-2016 by initiatives that are to contribute to spreading the principles and supporting modernisation and innovation in the public sector. The initiatives comprise the development of new forms of governance with a focus on trust and collaboration as well as the establishment of a centre for public innovation that is to support the spread and embeddedness of innovation across the public sector. The centre is also to strengthen employee and user-driven innovation in the public sector.

Modernisation of the public sector and free municipalities

“Free Municipality” pilot projects

“Free Municipality” pilot projects

Known as “Free Municipality pilot projects”, these projects are part of the Government’s work on the modernisation and innovation of the public sector. Lessons learned from free municipality pilot projects are to contribute to the Government’s general reform of the public sector with a focus on trust, professionalism, leadership and deregulation, which are significant parameters for a user-orientated sector.
Nine municipalities are free municipalities. They have been granted exemption from government rules and documentation requirements for the purpose of testing new ways of doing things. The objective is to find smarter, more resource-efficient and less bureaucratic solutions.

The nine Free Municipalities

Recommendations from growth teams

Recommendations from growth teams

The Government has set up eight growth teams which, in close dialogue with the business community, are to carry out an examination of growth conditions in business areas where Danish companies have international competitive power. The objective is to identify specific measures that can improve the companies’ productivity and development opportunities for the purpose of contributing to growth and employment in Denmark. Against the background of recommendations from the various growth teams, the Government will present specific initiatives for how the recommendations can be implemented. The business community and stakeholders will be involved in the process on an ongoing basis and will also be permanent sparring partners when the Government’s growth plans are to be carried out. In addition, the business community has actively assumed responsibility for implementing specific growth plan initiatives.

The business community

Strategy for Digital Welfare

Strategy for Digital Welfare

The Government, Local Government Denmark and Danish Regions have jointly drawn up a strategy for digital welfare. The strategy sets the course for the public sector’s work on digitisation and welfare technology in the social, health and educational areas.
The goal is that digital welfare services can be supplied more efficiently to make everyday life less cumbersome and improve the quality of life for citizens. The strategy includes 24 initiatives and runs until 2020. Up to the year 2020, new targets will be set and new initiatives launched on an ongoing basis.

Local Government Denmark and Danish Regions

Implementation of a new charter for interaction between Volunteer Denmark/Associations Denmark and the public sector

Implementation of a new charter for interaction between Volunteer Denmark/Associations Denmark and the public sector

Denmark’s first charter for volunteering was formulated more than ten years ago. Since then, the voluntary sector and the public sector as well as our welfare society have changed very much. Today, we encounter volunteers on the Internet and at local government institutions. In spring 2013, the Government therefore initiated work on ways to innovate the charter for interaction between Volunteer Denmark/Associations Denmark and the public sector. Following a phase of brainstorming including public consultation and a development phase including a camp for selected stakeholders, a new charter has been formulated by a broadly composed working committee. The charter was published on 1 July 2013.
An implementation phase will follow in the course of autumn 2013 with regional meetings where the charter will constitute the basis for the launch of local dialogue between the public sector and Volunteer Denmark/ Associations Denmark on how the visions of the charter can be transformed into reality and implemented locally.

“Open Data Innovation Strategy” (ODIS)

“Open Data Innovation Strategy” (ODIS)

In order to support the comprehensive effort to make public sector information accessible, the initiative known as “Open Data Innovation Strategy” is to contribute to drawing attention to the potential of public data and to making public data accessible. This is to be achieved, among other things, by assisting public authorities and institutions with guidance in the effort to make data available and by providing guidance on the legislation governing the area.
The initiative is, furthermore, to operate the public data catalogue, facilitate exchange of lessons learned, promote networking and collaboration between the public and private sectors that will re-use data, as well as document good examples of open data and the application of open data.

Data Distributor for the distribution of basic data

Data Distributor for the distribution of basic data

Up to 2016, the basic data registers will be consolidated in a common system – a so-called “Data Distributor”, which both public and private users of basic data will have the opportunity to benefit from. All common public sector basic data are to be distributed through the Data Distributor, which in the long term will be able to hold other public data than basic data.
Various dialogue and network activities regarding basic data are, furthermore, to contribute to encouraging authorities and companies to make use of the improved and free basic data, and to developing partnerships between public and private actors on the application of basic data.