Implement plain language initiatives (NL0044)
Overview
At-a-Glance
Action Plan: Netherlands Action Plan 2020-2022
Action Plan Cycle: 2020
Status: Active
Institutions
Lead Institution: Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Netherlands (hereafter BZK) 18
Support Institution(s): Other Actors Involved State actors involved Several municipalities, provinces, regional water authorities, central government and implementing organizations. CSOs, private sector, multilate rals, working groups We work together with various partners such as the Dutch Language Union and social interest foundations such as ‘Lezen en Schrijven’ ('Reading and Writing').
Policy Areas
Capacity Building, E-Government, Public ParticipationIRM Review
IRM Report: Netherlands Action Plan Review 2020-2022
Starred: Pending IRM Review
Early Results: Pending IRM Review
Design i
Verifiable: Yes
Relevant to OGP Values: Pending IRM Review
Potential Impact: Pending IRM Review
Implementation i
Completion: Pending IRM Review
Description
What is the public problem that the commitment will address? Society is becoming increasingly complex, particularly due to digitization. Many people have trouble keeping up. The government has the responsibility to ensure that everyone can continue to participate. That starts with understanding the government. Too many people no longer understand the language of the government. As a result, they participate less in society, for example, they cannot make use of certain help to which they are entitled or do not know what the government expects from them. Because many people do not fully understand the government, (a lot of) extra money and effort is needed from government organizations to explain uncertainties or solve problems.
What is the commitment? As Plain Language Brigade we are focused on governments and therefore have an indirect social effect. We have three types of activities: 1. We ensure that the people who can (largely) solve the problem (civil servants) are aware of it. 2. When officials are aware of it and want to do something about it, we support them to do something about it. 3. We measure whether and what is happening to address and resolve the problem. Does what we do have an effect?
How will the commitment contribute to solving the public problem? The Plain Language Brigade makes government communication and services at all levels (municipalities, provinces, regional water authorities, central government and implementing organizations) more comprehensible for a larger part of the population.
Why is this commitment relevant to OGP values? It is abundantly clear that the basis of open government is that as many Dutch people as possible understand the government. This contributes to public participation and transparency.
Additional information The program is part of the Digital inclusion approach and the regulatory burden approach. The program is linked to the current cabinet (until 2021). We work together with various partners such as the Dutch Language Union and social interest foundations such as ‘Lezen en Schrijven’ ('Reading and Writing'). Milestone Activity with a verifiable deliverable Start Date: End Date: Implementing the 'Plain Language Brigade’ offer: a helpline, training, language application, citizen panels 02-11-2020 01-12-2021 Awarding three ‘Plain Language Awards’ for ambassador, civil servant and organization 02-11-2020 01-02-2021 Developing a database with reliable plain language text formats 01-02-2021 01-12-2021
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