In Search of OGP Superstars

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Announcing the launch of the 2014 Open Government Awards!

Today, at long last, we are thrilled to announce the official launch of the Open Government Awards competition for 2014, focused on the theme of citizen engagement.  As explained here, each OGP participating country is invited to submit one application to this year’s competition, and the initial registration deadline is May 30, 2014.  With the clock now ticking, there’s no time like the present to get ready to throw your hat in the ring.

In my view, there are at least three compelling reasons to participate:

1. Get Global Recognition (a.k.a. fame and glory):  Opening up government to citizen input and oversight is not easy and is not always popular. This is your chance to be recognized internationally for your efforts, as winners will be honored by OGP superstars at a high-level event this September, on the margins of the UN General Assembly Meetings in New York.
2. Inspire Your Peers: OGP was founded on the premise that good ideas and innovation come from everywhere.  Help us realize this vision by sharing an experience that will inspire your counterparts from around the world.
3. Mobilize Domestic Support: Advocates of reform — from within and outside government — can use this annual competition as an incentive to motivate senior government officials in their own country to undertake and sustain ambitious reforms that will put them in the running for the Awards.

Those of you who attended the OGP Summit last year in London will no doubt remember the exciting open government initiatives presented by the finalists in the 2013 OGP Bright Spots competition.  The extremely positive feedback we received on the Bright Spots talks at the Summit confirmed for all of us that OGP should offer more opportunities for reform champions from around the world to share and promote their open government success stories.

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We have therefore designed the Open Government Awards as an annual competition with a new theme each year to honor different types of initiatives.  It is very fitting that the theme for the inaugural year of the competition is focused squarely on a principle at the core of OGP  — that is, citizen engagement.  This year the Awards will honor initiatives that bring government closer to people by soliciting public input and feedback on government policies and programs.

At the OGP Support Unit, we are constantly getting requests for more examples of what’s working on the ground.  After all, this business of opening up government is not an easy task, and we could all use a regular dose of inspiration!  This is your chance to help provide that inspiration by showcasing a successful initiative from your country. So, please do visit http://www.opengovawards.org and figure out how you can get involved today.