Member 

Category: OGP Governance | Back to Glossary

Participating countries and locals are expected to comply with the terms of OGP and continually advance open government for the well-being of their citizens. Members may be considered to be acting contrary to process if they do not comply with the set terms.

The following statuses are relevant to OGP participating countries. More detailed information can be found in OGP’s Articles of Governance.

• Active: Countries are deemed active – meaning they can fully participate in OGP processes and events – if they are not inactive due to a Procedural ReviewAccording to OGP’s Articles of Governance, OGP participating countries are expected to consistently and continually advance open government for the well-being of their citizens. This includes develo... or suspended due to a Response PolicyThe Response Policy is used when an OGP participating country appears to be taking actions that undermine the values and principles of OGP, as articulated in the Open Government Declaration, in a way ... process.

• Under Procedural Review: If a country acts Contrary to Process for two consecutive 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... cycles, the Criteria and Standards (C&S) subcommittee of the 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... (SC) will place the country under Procedural Review while the country is addressing the problems that led to C&S finding it to be acting Contrary to Process. C&S and the Support UnitThe OGP Support Unit is a small, permanent group of staff that work closely with the Steering Committee and the Independent Reporting Mechanism to advance the goals of the Open Government Partnership.... (SU) will provide enhanced support to help expedite the country’s efforts to resolve the issues that resulted in the country being placed in that status. If a country under Procedural Review fails, within a reasonable time, to make substantial progress on the problems that led to it being found to be acting Contrary to Process, as determined by the SU and confirmed by C&S, C&S may recommend to the SC that the country be designated Inactive by resolution of the SC.

• Under Eligibility ReviewCountries that fall below the minimum core eligibility for two consecutive years will automatically be placed under Eligibility Review, which includes enhanced support by the Support Unit and Criteria...: Countries that fall below the minimum score for the Core Eligiblity Criteria for two consecutive years will automatically be placed under Eligibility Review, which includes enhanced support by the SU and C&S to help the country meet minimum eligibility criteria. Countries will remain under Eligibility Review until they meet the minimum eligibility score.

• Inactive: A country that the SC designates as Inactive is ineligible to participate in SC electionsImproving transparency in elections and maintaining the independence of electoral commissions is vital for promoting trust in the electoral system, preventing electoral fraud, and upholding the democr... More and may only attend OGP events as an observer for learning purposes. The SC, at its discretion, will determine the terms and circumstances in which an Inactive country may have the Inactive designation lifted or be required to withdraw from OGP.

• Suspended: If the SC finds that an OGP participating country is found to be acting in a manner that demonstrates an egregious and blatant disregard for OGP’s values and principles, the SC will suspend the country from OGP under the terms of the Response Policy. The country will remain suspended until the concern is resolved to the satisfaction of the SC, or permanently, if the country fails to resolve the concern within the timeframe set by the SC, in which case the country will cease to be part of OGP. A country that is suspended pursuant to the Response Policy will not be eligible to participate in SC elections and will only be allowed to attend OGP events as an observer for learning purposes.

The following statuses are relevant to OGP participating locals. More detailed information can be found in the OGP Local Handbook.

• Active: Local members are deemed active – meaning they can fully participate in OGP processes and events – if they are not inactive or on probation.

• Inactive: Participating locals will be considered inactive if an action plan is not submitted by new members by the stated deadline by the Support Unit and no extension has been requested [and granted]; no action plan is submitted by existing members within four months of the end of the previous plan; the online tracker shows no progress in any of the commitments in two consecutive quarters; or the online tracker is not updated in two consecutive quarters. The status of active member will be conferred back once the OGP Local member begins 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... or progresses in the implementation of commitments as evidenced in corresponding online tracker and assessment reports.

• Probation: Participating locals will be placed on probation if they fail to resume activities after six consecutive months of conference of inactive status or show evidence of engagement with non-governmental stakeholders in the co-creation and implementation of the action plan. Participating locals on probation can continue with their activities; however, they must rectify any unmet requirement within four months of conference of probation status. If after four months the member has not met the requirements their membership will be revoked.

See also: Eligibility Review, Procedural Review, Response Policy