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Open Government Partnership Secretariat

OGP

The Open Government Partnership is a multilateral initiative that aims to secure concrete commitments from national and local governments to promote transparency, empower citizens, fight corruption, and harness new technologies to strengthen governance.

Lobbying Activity

Response to EU Civil Society Strategy

4 Sept 2025

Open Government Partnership (OGP), is an international organisation whose membership consists of 74 countries, 152 subnational authorities, and thousands of civil society organisations. OGP is founded on the idea that the principles of open government - transparency, accountability, and participation - are best achieved through multi-stakeholder collaboration. Data from OGPs 4000+ reforms clearly show that when civil society is meaningfully engaged in the design and implementation of policies, they are more ambitious and bring better results. This is why we are highly encouraged by the European Commissions initiative to create a civil society strategy that encompasses both the EU and Member States levels as well as the internal and external dimensions of the EU. Open civic space is fundamental to democracy and open, accountable government. Without it, people and civil society organisations cannot meaningfully participate in decision-making, scrutinise government actions, or hold politicians accountable. To join OGP, countries must first pass the Values Check and meet Eligibility Criteria that, among other things, assess the protection of civic space. This ensures civil society can operate freely and engage in meaningful dialogue with governments. However, civic space is not only essential to democratic health, but also vital to achieving economic, environmental and social outcomes. As outlined in OGP's skeptics guide: - Improving democratic freedoms correlates with faster economic growth; - Restricted civic space leads to higher inequality; - Citizen involvement improves public services' quality and accessibility, while restricted civic space hampers epidemic response; - Restrictions on civil society increase the likelihood of social conflict; - A free media strengthens democratic values, while media repression signals democratic decline; - Independent journalism promotes political participation; - A free press and civil society are essential for fighting corruption. The EU can strengthen civil society by further acknowledging and championing its full contribution to European society, while increasing investment in civil society as a catalyst for economic growth, environmental sustainability, and peace and security.
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Meeting with Viktoriya Petrikova-Voeten (Cabinet of Commissioner Marta Kos)

17 Jun 2025 · Presentation of Open Government Partnership’s work in the Eastern Partnership and Western Balkans Region

Meeting with Simona Constantin (Cabinet of Commissioner Michael McGrath)

17 Jun 2025 · European Democracy Shield, Civil Society Strategy

Meeting with Ingrid Bellander Todino (Head of Unit Justice and Consumers)

19 Feb 2025 · Civil Society Strategy and European Democracy Shield Presentation of the OPG work

Meeting with Jutta Urpilainen (Commissioner) and European Partnership for Democracy and

25 Nov 2024 · Meeting with the International IDEA (I-IDEA), the European Endowment for Democracy (EED), the European Partnership for Democracy (EPD), the Open Government Partnership (OGP) and the European Network of Political Foundations (ENoP) to discuss “Call t

Meeting with Zuzana Dorazilova (Cabinet of Vice-President Věra Jourová) and Covington Burling LLP

19 Feb 2024 · Democracy and open government in Europe

Meeting with Renaud Savignat (Cabinet of Commissioner Jutta Urpilainen)

8 Sept 2022 · Discussion with OGP on democracy, transparency and participation.

Meeting with Daniel Braun (Cabinet of Vice-President Věra Jourová), Marie Frenay (Cabinet of Vice-President Věra Jourová)

15 Oct 2020 · European Democracy Action Plan

Meeting with Christiane Kirketerp De Viron (Cabinet of Commissioner Johannes Hahn)

5 Feb 2020 · Digital public administration

Meeting with Věra Jourová (Vice-President) and

4 Feb 2020 · European Democracy Action Plan Transparency Media freedom and pluralism Fundamental rights

Meeting with Enrico Petrocelli (Cabinet of High Representative / Vice-President Federica Mogherini)

23 May 2018 · open governments

Meeting with Nils Behrndt (Cabinet of Vice-President Neven Mimica)

20 Jun 2017 · Role of transparency and accountability of governments under the 2030 agenda

Meeting with Andrus Ansip (Vice-President) and

20 Jun 2017 · e-government, digital for development

Meeting with Stefano Manservisi (Director-General Directorate-General for International Partnerships)

20 Jun 2017 · exploring possibilities of cooperation between the EC and OGP