Action plan – Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas, Ecuador, 2024 – 2025

At-a-Glance

Duration

Feb 2027

Date Submitted

8th February 2024

Foreword(s)

“Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas, a vibrant province in the heart of Ecuador, stands out as a meeting point between the natural riches of the Sierra and the Coast, home to a population of nearly half a million inhabitants. Its economy, energized by trade, agriculture, and livestock, reflects the entrepreneurial spirit of its people.

Under the Provincial Government, we have committed firmly to 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, accountability, and citizen 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. With the successful implementation of our first Open Government Action Plan within the OGP-Local framework, we innovated in the areas of environment, road infrastructure, and economic development, placing citizens at the heart of public policy.

In 2024, we are proud to present our second Action Plan, aiming to deepen the achievements already made and promote even greater 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. Through this plan, we will continue to strengthen the foundations of an open, transparent, and participatory government, ensuring that Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas is a model of innovative and collaborative public management.”

Open Government Challenges, Opportunities and Strategic Vision

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

The Decentralized Autonomous Government of Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas establishes its Open Government Strategic Vision on three critical pillars: Transparency, Citizen Participation, and Collaboration. Our goal is to enhance administrative transparency by providing clear and timely access to government information, encouraging meaningful citizen participation in decision-making processes, and fostering collaboration across sectors to tackle provincial challenges with innovative solutions. This action plan encompasses specific commitments designed to actualize these pillars, addressing local challenges through collaborative strategies that incorporate the voices and needs of our community

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

Since the implementation of our first Action Plan, Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas has achieved significant advancements in sustainable agro-production, environmental conservation, and improvements in road infrastructure, establishing us as leaders in open government at a national level. The Accelerator Award by the Open Government PartnershipThe Open Government Partnership (OGP) is a multi-stakeholder initiative focused on improving government transparency, ensuring opportunities for citizen participation in public matters, and strengthen... More is a testament to our 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... and efforts towards a transparent, participative, and efficient government. In this second plan, we have focused on deepening these achievements and expanding our vision towards the inclusion of the Tsáchila Nationality, promoting their active participation and recognizing their vital contribution to provincial development.

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

The challenges and areas for improvement that the second Open Government Action Plan (OGAP) for Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas aims to address are focused on strengthening citizen participation and intersectoral collaboration, in order to promote greater transparency and accountability. Although the document does not directly specify a section titled “Current Challenges/Areas for Improvement in Open Government,” it is inferred that the commitments established in the plan are designed to respond to key challenges identified during the diagnostic phase and consultation with citizens and relevant actors.

Based on the content and general structure of the document, it can be summarized that the second OGAP emphasizes:

1. Promoting the inclusion and active participation of all sectors of society, including the Tsáchila Nationality, in open governance and decision-making. This is reflected in the development of specific programs for the preservation of cultural heritage and in the creation of open innovation spaces like TsáchiLab.
2. Improving transparency and access to public information, by developing platforms and mechanisms that allow citizens easy and timely access to relevant information about government actions and decisions.
3. Strengthening local capacities for environmental sustainability and economic development, through the training of new leadership in rural sectors and the promotion of sustainable practices and responsible tourism.

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

The medium-term open government goals that the Decentralized Autonomous Government of Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas aims to achieve with the implementation of this second action plan are:

1. Reaffirm the leadership of the Province of Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas in the field of Open Government at the national level: Based on previous experience and achievements, the plan focuses on optimizing local administration and deepening citizen participation.
2. Aim for concrete results to continue improving the quality of life for its inhabitants: This approach translates into consolidating open government practices in the province, promoting a public management model that is transparent, participatory, and efficient.

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

The second Open Government Action Plan (OGAP) for Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas contributes to the Open Government Strategic Vision in the province by focusing on three fundamental pillars: Transparency, Citizen Participation, and Collaboration. This approach is translated into specific commitments aligned with the challenges identified in the province, developed and implemented in collaboration with citizens and other key actors. This plan is not just a set of commitments but acts as a roadmap to transform the Provincial Government’s interaction with its citizens and respond effectively to their needs. Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas commits to leading in the area of open government, setting an example for other provinces, and contributing to the global open government movement.

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

This second Open Government Action Plan for Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas aligns directly with the Open Government Strategic Vision by establishing clear and concrete commitments that reflect the community’s needs and priorities. The commitments focus on three main areas: environment, agroproduction, and the Tsáchila culture, each aiming to strengthen transparency, citizen participation, and collaboration.

1. Environmental Commitment: Through the design and implementation of training programs and systems for new youthRecognizing that investing in youth means investing in a better future, OGP participating governments are creating meaningful opportunities for youth to participate in government processes. Technical ... More leadership in rural areas with a focus on environmental care and sustainable tourism, this commitment aims to educate and empower rural communities about the importance of sustainable practices.
2. Agroproduction Commitment: With the creation of TsáchiLab, an innovation and economic development laboratory, the aim is to encourage collaboration between the agro-industrial productive sector and academia, promoting sustainable and efficient practices in productive processes to drive sustainable economic growth in the province.
3. Commitment to Tsáchila Culture: This commitment focuses on the preservation of the ancestral and cultural heritage of the Tsáchila Nationality through the co-creation of a provincial ordinance and the publication of 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.... It seeks to protect and promote the Tsáchila cultural heritage while fostering inclusion and participation of this community in provincial development.

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.

• Gobierno Autónomo Descentralizado Provincial de Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas
• Universidad de las Fuerzas Armadas sede Santo Domingo (ESPE-SD)
• Fundación de Ayuda por Internet (Fundapi)

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

For the implementation, the Decentralized Autonomous Provincial Government of Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas has reinforced and established institutional collaboration agreements crucial for coordination among various agencies and governmental departments. These agreements reflect an integrated and collaborative approach toward achieving the action plan’s objectives.

A highlighted agreement is signed with the National Autonomous Institute of Agricultural Research (INIAP) to strengthen and continue actions in the Transfer and Dissemination of Agricultural Innovations. This commitment aims to promote agricultural development and ensure sustainable food security and sovereignty in the province. This commitment, lasting three years, includes organizing and executing training events, facilitating facilities, equipment, and laboratories for training events, and purchasing certified seed for organized groups.

Furthermore, the renewal of the framework collaboration agreement with FUNDAPI for the adoption of open government and open data in the province, as well as continuous collaboration with Open Government Ecuador (OGP-Ecuador), are fundamental parts of these institutional arrangements. These partnerships not only reinforce the support infrastructure for implementing the action plan but also ensure synergy between local government efforts and national and international open government initiatives.

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 facilitate collaboration between the government and civil society in the co-creation and implementation of the action plan, both online and offline spaces have been used and created:

Offline:

• Multi-Stakeholder Forums: Face-to-face dialogue spaces that bring together representatives from government, civil society, 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 academia to discuss and make joint decisions.
• Specific Meetings: Meetings with specific interest groups, such as indigenous communities, to ensure their perspectives and needs are properly represented.

Online:

• Public Consultation Platforms: Digital tools used to collect opinions and proposals from citizens on the plan’s content and priorities.
• Virtual Meetings: Use of platforms like Zoom to maintain work continuity and collaboration during mobility restrictions.
• Social Media Work Groups: Communication channels like WhatsApp or Telegram to facilitate information exchange and coordination among work team members.

These spaces have been crucial for ensuring an inclusive and participatory process, allowing for effective and continuous interaction among the different actors involved in the action plan.

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

To ensure diversity of representation and include vulnerable or marginalized populations in the collaboration spaces, specific measures were taken:

1. Identification and Mapping: Communities and marginalized groups were actively identified to invite them to participate, ensuring diverse representation.
2. Direct Invitations: Organizations and representatives of these groups were directly invited, ensuring they had the opportunity to be present and heard.
3. Special Meetings with the Tsáchila Ethnicity: Dedicated meetings were organized with representatives of the Tsáchila Nationality, acknowledging the need to address their cultural particularities and leadership within the seven Tsáchila communes.
4. Active Participation: All participants, especially from vulnerable or marginalized groups, were ensured a voice and vote in discussions, decisions, and 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....

These strategies facilitated effective inclusion and diverse representation in the co-creation and implementation process, respecting the cultural and social specificities of each involved group.

Who participated in these spaces?

• Ministerio de Producción, Comercio Exterior, Inversiones y Pesca represented by Daniel Álvarez.
• Equinoccial Touring y ASOGUIASTUR SDT, represented by Edison Enríquez, CEO y president.
• FUNDAPI, represented by Eduardo Béjar, Executive Director.
• CADHU Ecuador, coordinated by Esteban Medicis.
• Instituto Superior Tecnológico “Tsáchila”, with Estuardo Cevallos as rector.
• ESPE Sede Santo Domingo, with Héctor Revelo in projects.
• Sistema de Participación Ciudadana, represented by Jenny Meneses, vicepresident.
• Gobierno Autónomo Descentralizado Provincial de Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas, with Johana Núñez as prefect.
• Ciudadanía, represented by Josefa Fuertes, citizen assembly member.
• Cámara de Industrias y Producción Santo Domingo, presided by Marcela García.
• Recinto Chiguilpe-Valle Hermoso, represented by María José Cedeño.
• Dirección de Desarrollo Económico GAD Provincial STD, directed by Marianella Sánchez.

How many groups participated in these spaces?

20

How many public-facing meetings were held in the co-creation process?

9

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

To continue the collaboration between governmental and non-governmental parties during the implementation of the action plan, inclusive and transparent practices aligned with open government principles will be applied:

1. Continuous Strengthening of the Multi-Stakeholder ForumRegular dialogue between government and civil society is a core element of OGP participation. It builds trust, promotes joint problem-solving, and empowers civil society to influence the design, imple...: This dialogue and collaboration space will remain active to facilitate idea exchange and active participation in decision-making, allowing for the inclusion of diverse voices in the implementation process.
2. Periodic and Special Meetings: Regular meetings will be held to discuss the progress of the action plan, review proposals, and make joint decisions. Additionally, special meetings with specific groups, like the Tsáchila Nationality, will ensure their needs and expectations are properly represented.
3. Constant Dissemination of Progress: Constant communication about the advancements in the action plan’s implementation will be ensured, keeping citizens informed and allowing for their active participation in the process.

These practices aim to maintain effective and sustained collaboration among all parties involved, ensuring the action plan is implemented inclusively, transparently, and participatively, in line with the goals of strengthening open government practices in the province.

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

“Japan” Higher Technological Institute.

Provide the contact details for the independent monitoring body.

• Sixto Baca, Doc., rector@itsjapon.edu.ec
• Ana Lecaro, MsC, alecaro@itsjapon.edu.ec

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

• Discussion and Progress Evaluation Meetings: Sessions designed to facilitate in-depth discussions on the action plan’s advancements, allowing stakeholders to evaluate progress and contribute to decision-making processes.
• Socialization Workshops: Aimed at showcasing the development and progress of the action plan, these workshops serve as a platform for stakeholders to engage, share insights, and foster a common understanding of objectives and achievements.
• Online Citizen Consultation: Utilizing digital platforms to gather feedback and suggestions from the broader community, ensuring inclusivity and broad participation in the action plan’s evolution.

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

• Biannual Stakeholder and Partner Evaluations: Scheduled every six months, these evaluations will involve stakeholders and partners collaboratively reviewing the action plan’s progress and the achievement of its objectives. This structured approach ensures regular assessment and alignment with the plan’s goals.
• Self-Assessment System for Progress Monitoring: A self-assessment system will be established to continuously monitor the action plan’s advancement. This proactive mechanism allows for timely adjustments and reinforces accountability and transparency in achieving the plan’s milestones.

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

• Development of a Comprehensive Communication Program: Aims to ensure widespread accessibility to information generated by the plan, leveraging mass communication channels for broad audience reach.
• Strategic Use of Alternative, Community, and Digital Media: Utilizes these platforms to enhance proper and timely access to information, ensuring comprehensive community awareness.
• Enhancement of Online Information Mechanisms: Focuses on overcoming technological barriers to make data and information accessible to most of the population, promoting inclusivity and transparency.

Endorsement from Non-Governmental Stakeholders

• Eduardo Béjar, Director, Internet Help Foundation (Fundapi)
• Héctor Revelo, Investigator, University of the Armed Forces (ESPE)
• Esteban Medicis, General Coordinator, Andean Coordinator of Human RightsAn essential part of open government includes protecting the sacred freedoms and rights of all citizens, including the most vulnerable groups, and holding those who violate human rights accountable. T... (CADHU) Ecuador
• Mateo Calazacón, Governor, Tsáchila Nationality
• Mishell Fonseca, General Coordinator, Guardians of Pachamama
• Orlando Castillo, President, Chamber of Tourism
• Patricia Mora, General Coordinator, Chamber of Tourism
• Ramiro Díaz, Director Zone 4, Institute of Popular and Solidarity Economy (IEPS)
• Roxana Silva, Coordinator, Open Government Academic Network (RAGA) Ecuador
• Verónica Narváez, Director of Environmental Management, GAD Provincial Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas
• Wuandember Velasteguí, General Manager, Joint Public Company of the Humid Tropics

Attachments:

• SDT 2nd Action Plan
• Website Article