Netherlands Design Report 2018-2020 – For Public Comment

In 2020, the Independent Reporting Mechanism (IRM)The Independent Reporting Mechanism (IRM) is OGP’s accountability arm and the main means of tracking progress in participating countries. The IRM provides independent, evidence-based, and objective ... published the Design Report for the Netherlands’ third action planAction plans are at the core of a government’s participation in OGP. They are the product of a co-creation process in which government and civil society jointly develop commitments to open governmen... (2018-2020). The report covers the development of the action plan and the design of its commitments.

In the Netherlands, the IRM researcher Bart Scheffers’ findings are summarized below:

“The Netherlands third action plan includes a diverse set of commitments, with a particular focus on local governance. Civil society provided significant input during 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... through 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..., as well as via direct consultations with relevant central or local authorities. Going forward, the OGP process in the Netherlands could benefit from more high-level political ownership and stronger synergies across commitments. The next action plan could address topics such as beneficial ownershipDisclosing beneficial owners — those who ultimately control or profit from a business — is essential for combating corruption, stemming illicit financial flows, and fighting tax evasion. Technical... More, lobbyingLobbying transparency allows the public to ensure that there is diversity of participation and contribution to public decision-making. Technical specifications: Policies and actions affecting lobbying... 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, and whistle-blower protection.”

And in Dutch:

“Het derde OGP-actieplan van Nederland bestaat uit een diverse reeks actiepunten met daarin bijzondere aandacht voor lokaal bestuur. Gedurende het co-creatie proces heeft het maatschappelijk middenveld significant bijgedragen via het multistakeholderforum, alsmede in direct overleg met betrokken (lokale) overheden. Vooruitblikkend op de toekomst zou het OPG proces in Nederland baat kunnen hebben bij actiepunten die sterker op elkaar aansluiten, en bij breed politiek draagvlak op hoog niveau. Het volgende actieplan zou ook onderwerpen als beneficial ownership, lobby-transparantie en de bescherming van klokkenluiders kunnen aankaarten.”

The version of the report for public comment is available in English and in Dutch below. The public comment period closed 7 May 2020.