Action plan – Curridabat, Costa Rica, 2025 – 2028

At-a-Glance

Duration

May 2028

Date Submitted

3rd December 2025

Foreword(s)

The Municipality of Curridabat, as an open government with a firm institutional commitmentOGP commitments are promises for reform co-created by governments and civil society and submitted as part of an action plan. Commitments typically include a description of the problem, concrete action... to strengthening transparencyAccording to OGP’s Articles of Governance, transparency occurs when “government-held information (including on activities and decisions) is open, comprehensive, timely, freely available to the pub... More, citizen participationAccording to OGP’s Articles of Governance, citizen participation occurs when “governments seek to mobilize citizens to engage in public debate, provide input, and make contributions that lead to m... More, and active collaboration among the various sectors of the canton, presents its plan, which stems from the conviction that a government that is close, accessible, and oriented toward the common good requires regulatory, technological, and social tools that allow citizens not only to learn about municipal management, but also to influence it directly.

To this end, the Municipality assumes responsibility for implementing an Open DataBy opening up data and making it sharable and reusable, governments can enable informed debate, better decision making, and the development of innovative new services. Technical specifications: Polici... category on its official website, guaranteeing precise, timely, and verifiable access to public information. This effort promotes not only transparency but also enables different social actors to use the data for decision-making and creating solutions to the canton’s needs. Similarly, the drafting of regulations on citizen participation will be promoted, including a Participatory Budget RegulationGovernment reformers are developing regulations that enshrine values of transparency, participation, and accountability in government practices. Technical specifications: Act of creating or reforming ... that enables formal mechanisms for the joint definition of budget priorities, as well as a Steering Team Regulation, through which private companies can collaborate in an orderly and transparent manner on urban and social development projects for the collective benefit. Likewise, a commitment has been made to build a District Services Platform in the Tirrases and Granadilla Development Centers, so that residents have access to decentralized, inclusive, and efficient municipal services, strengthening territorial autonomy and equity in access.

Finally, the Municipality promotes the Conexión Curridabat project, an inter-district mobility initiative formulated with the active participation of communities, private companies, autonomous institutions, and the political sector, ensuring that solutions respond to the daily realities of those who travel, study, work, and live in the canton.

Open Government Challenges, Opportunities and Strategic Vision

What is the long-term vision for open government in your context and jurisdiction?

The long-term vision for open government in the canton of Curridabat is to consolidate transparent, participatory, and collaborative municipal management, in which citizens, the private sectorGovernments are working to open private sector practices as well — including through beneficial ownership transparency, open contracting, and regulating environmental standards. Technical specificat... More, and social organizations actively participate in the development of public policies and the administration of local resources. This vision is projected toward an institutional model in which public information is available through permanent open data mechanisms, strengthening trust and democratic control.

Likewise, the aim is for citizen participation regulations, including participatory budgeting and the Timón Teams, to become stable instruments for joint decision-making. The consolidation of a district services platform and the development of the Conexión Curridabat intracantonal mobility project will ensure a more connected, efficient, and fair territory, where communities jointly define their own development.

In summary, the vision of open government is committed to an open, modern, and inclusive municipality, in which each person can have a real and verifiable impact on the collective well-being and future of the canton.

What are the achievements in open government to date (for example, recent open government reforms)?

To date, the Municipality of Curridabat has made significant progress in the area of Open Government, aimed at strengthening transparency and citizen participation. First, the Open Data category was added to the institutional website, incorporating financial, organizational, and research and development information, which allows for greater accountability and facilitates public access to relevant information on municipal management.

The Citizen Participation Regulations are currently being drafted, incorporating technical criteria, with the aim of establishing formal participatory budgeting mechanisms. Regarding the District Services Platform, no preliminary administrative and territorial diagnostic actions have been undertaken to achieve this commitment. Finally, the Conexión Curridabat project has made significant progress through the development of a pilot inter-district mobility project, which is the result of a public, business, and sectoral consultation phase aimed at designing a public transportation system that facilitates internal connections within the canton.

These achievements reflect the municipal commitment to a more open, collaborative administration focused on collective well-being.

What are the current challenges/areas for improvement in open government that the jurisdiction wishes to tackle?

First, there is a need to strengthen active transparency through the systematic publication of information in open data formats, overcoming technological limitations and promoting an organizational culture geared toward public access to information.

There is also the challenge of institutionalizing citizen participation through the approval and proper implementation of participatory budgeting and steering committeeThe Steering Committee is OGP’s executive decision-making body. Its role is to develop, promote and safeguard OGP’s values, principles and interests; establish OGP’s core ideas, policies, and ru... regulations, ensuring that citizen and private sector involvement is representative, informed, and sustainable.

Another area of opportunity lies in decentralizing municipal services and improving administrative efficiency, which is why the creation of the district services platform in Tirrases and Granadilla will be promoted. Finally, the aim is to address the challenges of intra-cantonal mobility by promoting community participation in the design of the Conexión Curridabat project.

In this way, the Municipality seeks to achieve more open, inclusive, and co-responsible management.

What are the medium-term open government goals that the government wants to achieve?

The medium-term objectives that the Municipality of Curridabat aims to achieve are geared toward consolidating effective mechanisms for transparency, citizen participation, and multisectoral collaboration. First, it seeks to implement the Open Data category on its institutional website, guaranteeing access to relevant, standardized, and continuously updated public information. It also proposes to approve and implement regulations on citizen participation, particularly the participatory budgeting regulation and the Steering Teams regulation, in order to allow direct involvement by citizens and the private sector in prioritizing and promoting municipal projects. Similarly, the aim is to design and launch the action plan for a district services platform in the Tirrases and Granadilla Development Centers, and to advance the preliminary phases of the Conexión Curridabat project, ensuring formal public consultation processes.

These objectives will reinforce a more open, collaborative municipal management focused on the common good.

How does this action plan contribute to achieve the Open Government Strategic Vision?

The Action Plan is the fundamental operational tool for realizing the Strategic Vision for Open Government of the Municipality of Curridabat, establishing verifiable commitments and concrete mechanisms for its implementation. First, the creation of an Open Data category directly contributes to transparency by guaranteeing public and timely access to institutional information, thereby strengthening citizen control and trust in municipal management.

Likewise, the development of regulations for citizen participation, including participatory budgeting and steering committees, translates the principle of democratic co-responsibility into regulatory actions, allowing citizens and the private sector to legitimately influence public decisions. In turn, the establishment of the plan for the district services platform and the community coordination of the Conexión Curridabat project are moving toward a more accessible, efficient, and territorially equitable administration.

Together, these commitments make it possible to transform the vision of open government into an institutional, sustainable, and measurable reality for the canton.

How does the open government strategic vision contribute to the accomplishment of the current administration’s overall policy goals?

The Strategic Vision for Open Government contributes directly to the fulfillment of the municipal administration’s overall policy objectives by consolidating more transparent and participatory public management geared toward the sustainable development of the canton. In terms of transparency, the implementation of an Open Data category strengthens access to public information, which promotes accountability and improves citizens’ trust in their institutions.

In terms of democratic participation and innovation, the participatory budgeting and Steering Teams regulations are essential tools for residents and the private sector to influence the prioritization and execution of projects of local interest, in line with the vision of a co-responsible and accessible administration.

Similarly, the creation of a district services platform and the promotion of the Conexión Curridabat mobility project contribute to the objectives of territorial equity, administrative modernization, and improvement in the quality of life of communities. Taken together, this vision supports a municipal policy based on efficiency, openness, and the joint construction of collective well-being.

Engagement and Coordination in the Open Government Strategic Vision and OGP Action Plan

Please list the lead institutions responsible for the implementation of this OGP action plan.

• Municipalidad de Curridabat, Alcaldía.
• Concejo Municipal de Curridabat

What kind of institutional arrangements are in place to coordinate between government agencies and departments to implement the OGP action plan?

The Municipality of Curridabat has institutional arrangements designed to ensure the interdepartmental coordination necessary for the implementation of the Open Government Action Plan (OGP). First, coordination is established between the areas of Information Technology, Planning, and Communication, which are responsible for creating and maintaining the Open Data category on the institutional website.

Likewise, for the formulation and application of citizen participation regulations, coordination is provided between the Legal Advisory Office, the Municipal Council, and the Mayor’s Office, guaranteeing transparent and participatory regulatory processes. Similarly, the implementation of the district services platform requires the collaboration of the Tirrases and Granadilla Development Centers, together with the agencies involved in the provision of municipal services.

Finally, the Conexión Curridabat project provides for coordination between the areas of Mobility, Infrastructure, Environment, and Communication, as well as with citizen actors and the private sector. These institutional arrangements ensure the comprehensive, efficient, and co-responsible implementation of the OGP Action Plan.

What kind of spaces have you used or created to enable the collaboration between government and civil society in the co-creation and implementation of this action plan? Mention both offline and online spaces.

To promote collaboration between local government and civil society in the process of co-creating and implementing the Open Government Action Plan, the Municipality of Curridabat has set up various spaces for dialogue, including face-to-face meetings. Public presentations open to citizens have been held to inform them and receive their comments on commitments relating to open data, citizen participation, district services, and intra-cantonal mobility.

The Plan has also been formally presented to the Municipal Council, creating an institutional space for political and legal deliberation. Sectoral meetings have been held with representatives of private companies, particularly in the context of the development of the Timón Equipment Regulations. At the same time, digital channels and official communication platforms have been used to disseminate information, including social media and the municipal website, which have broadened citizen access and facilitated remote participation. These spaces have strengthened transparency and co-responsibility in the open government process.

What measures did you take to ensure diversity of representation (including vulnerable or marginalized populations) in these spaces?

To ensure diversity of participation in the co-creation spaces of the Open Government Action Plan, the Municipality of Curridabat recognizes that there are still areas for improvement and that specific measures targeting vulnerable or excluded groups have not been fully implemented. Nevertheless, the Administration is committed to developing, within the framework of the Plan’s implementation, inclusionOGP participating governments are working to create governments that truly serve all people. Commitments in this area may address persons with disabilities, women and girls, lesbian, gay, bisexual, tr... More mechanisms aimed at historically marginalized sectors, particularly in districts with greater social challenges, such as Tirrases.

Among the measures planned are:

1. The identification and institutional outreach to community organizations that work with populations affected by problems such as violence associated with drug trafficking, irregular migration, unemployment, and socioeconomic limitations.
2. The holding of informational sessions and spaces for dialogue in the territory, using accessible schedules, formats, and locations.
3. Enabling safe and confidential channels of participation when community risk circumstances require it.
4. Coordinated support with District Development Centers, religious organizations, development associations, community safety committees, and other local networks.

These actions seek to ensure that the co-creation of municipal public policies responds to the realities and needs of all residents, without exclusion on social, economic, or territorial grounds.

Who participated in these spaces?

In the process of co-creating the Open Government Action Plan, the Municipality of Curridabat brought together various institutional, social, and private sectors to promote a pluralistic and co-responsible approach to the commitments adopted. While it is recognized that the full involvement of vulnerable groups remains a developing objective, representatives from the following groups have participated initially: municipal technical and administrative agencies, members of the Municipal Council, civil society organizations, and private sector actors.

The Municipality plans to progressively incorporate community sectors from districts with complex problems, particularly Tirrases and Granadilla, including local organizations and leaders involved in the prevention of violence associated with drug trafficking, irregular migration, unemployment, school dropouts, and other social dynamics that affect community safety and cohesion.

The participation of these groups seeks to ensure that decisions on transparency, open data, district services, and intracantonal mobility reflect the realities and needs of all the canton’s inhabitants, especially those historically excluded from institutional processes.

How many groups participated in these spaces?

2

How many public-facing meetings were held in the co-creation processCollaboration between government, civil society and other stakeholders (e.g., citizens, academics, private sector) is at the heart of the OGP process. Participating governments must ensure that a dive...?

10

How will government and non-governmental stakeholders continue to collaborate through the implementation of the action plan?

To this end, inter-institutional and community working groups will be maintained to monitor commitments on open data, citizen participation, district services, and intracantonal mobility. These working groups will include municipal agencies, representatives of the Municipal Council, social organizations, the private sector, and, progressively, community leaders from districts with greater social challenges.

Likewise, digital channels for continuous participation will be enabled to receive comments and propose improvements, along with spaces for periodic public consultation to validate progress and adjust actions. The independent monitoring body will issue reports open to the public, promoting accountability and continuous improvement. In this way, a co-responsible, inclusive, and transparent implementation of the plan will be promoted.

Please describe the independent Monitoring Body you have identified for this plan.

The independent monitoring body identified for the Municipality of Curridabat’s Open Government Action Plan will be Costa Rica Íntegra, an organization with a recognized national track record in transparency, public ethics, and the fight against corruption. Its selection responds to the need for an external, technical, and impartial actor to provide objective monitoring of compliance with the commitments made, including the implementation of the Open Data category, the approval of citizen participation regulations, the development of the district services platform, and the participatory processes linked to Conexión Curridabat.

Costa Rica Íntegra will issue periodic reports, make recommendations, and promote opportunities for feedback from citizens, thus ensuring an independent and transparent evaluation in accordance with international standards of open government and accountability.

Provide the contact details for the independent monitoring body.

• Jimmy Bolaños González, Abogado y máster en Derecho constitucional, [email protected]
• Ramon Pendones, NA, [email protected]

What types of activities will you have in place to discuss progress on commitments with stakeholders?

To discuss progress in implementing the commitments of the Open Government Action Plan, the Municipality of Curridabat will launch various follow-up and dialogue activities with the actors involved. These include interdepartmental technical meetings to evaluate the internal progress of each commitment, as well as presentation and feedback sessions with the Municipal Council, civil society organizations, and representatives of the private sector.

Likewise, informational spaces open to the public, both in person and virtual, will be held to share progress related to open data, participation regulations, district services, and the Conexión Curridabat mobility project. Additionally, the institutional digital platform will be used to publish preliminary reports and receive comments or suggestions for improvement.

These actions will strengthen transparency, ongoing participation, and shared responsibility in the implementation of the plan.

How will you regularly check in on progress with implementing agencies?

The Municipality of Curridabat has established various formal mechanisms to consult with implementing institutions on the progress of the Open Government Action Plan. Regular inter-institutional follow-up meetings will be held, coordinated by the mayor’s office, and reports will be presented on progress, difficulties, and needs for adjustment.
In addition, quarterly technical reports will be submitted to the mayor’s office and the municipal council to verify compliance with implementation goals and deadlines. These reports will be supplemented by the use of institutional digital channels, including the open data platform and internal communication spaces, which will facilitate direct consultation on progress.

Likewise, in coordination with the independent monitoring body, which in this particular case is Costa Rica Integra, feedback and validation sessions will be held, in which the implementing institutions will be able to answer questions, clarify information, and propose improvements. These mechanisms guarantee a transparent, verifiable, and accountability-oriented process.

How will you share the results of your monitoring efforts with the public?

The Municipality of Curridabat will share the results of the monitoring of the Open Government Action Plan through public dissemination mechanisms that guarantee transparency, access, and citizen understanding. In compliance with the principles of publicity and accountability, the reports issued by the independent monitoring body, as well as the institutional progress reports, will be published in the Open Data category of the municipal website, free of charge, downloadable, and in reusable formats.

In addition, public presentations will be held, open to citizens, social organizations, the private sector, and the media, in order to explain the results, answer questions, and receive comments. Complementarily, official communication channels will be used, including newsletters, social networks, and institutional communications, to ensure territorial reach and accessibility.

Endorsement from Non-Governmental Stakeholders

• Jimmy Bolaños González, Title Abogado y máster en Derecho constitucional, Costa Rica Integra

Commitments:

• Create and Enable an Open Data Category for Publishing and Updating Institutional Information (CRCDT0005)
• Conexión Curridabat: Develop an Intracantonal Mobility System with Citizen Participation (CRCDT0006)
• Develop an Action Plan for a District Service Platform in Tirrases and Granadilla (CRCDT0007)
• Update and Strengthen Citizen Participation Regulations, Including Private Sector Integration (CRCDT0008)