The Open Government Partnership (OGP) is a multilateral initiative launched on September 20, 2011, during the annual opening session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. The founding members were eight countries: Brazil, Indonesia, Mexico, Norway, the Philippines, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Since its inception, the initiative has rapidly grown to include 78 member countries, including Tunisia, which joined on January 14, 2014.
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) defines open governance as a powerful driver of democracy, public trust, and inclusive growth. It embodies a culture of governance rooted in the principles of transparency, integrity, accountability, and stakeholder participation, all of which are essential for supporting democratic values and fostering economic and social inclusion.
Open governance refers to a framework that emphasizes openness, transparency, and inclusivity in public administration. At its core, it seeks to transform the relationship between governments and their citizens, shifting from a hierarchical, top-down approach to a collaborative, participatory model. This transformation involves:
- Transparency: Ensuring that government actions, policies, and decisions are accessible and understandable to the public.
- Accountability: Holding public officials and institutions responsible for their actions and decisions.
- Inclusivity: Actively involving diverse stakeholders, including civil society, private sector actors, and marginalized groups, in decision-making processes.
Tunisia’s Engagement with the OGP
On January 14, 2014, Tunisia joined the Open Government Partnership (OGP), marking a pivotal step toward fostering transparency, accountability, and participatory governance. Over the past six years, Tunisia has implemented three comprehensive action plans, each serving as a framework for collaboration between the government and civil society. This participatory approach has yielded tangible results, including increased public interest, broader stakeholder engagement, and the program’s maturation into an advanced stage of implementation.
Social media has played a critical role in this journey, providing a platform for citizens, journalists, and stakeholders to track developments and achievements. Building on these successes, Tunisia is now preparing its fourth national action plan, which aims to sustain past gains while introducing new initiatives that reflect the country’s evolving priorities.
Achievements in Open Governance
Tunisia’s efforts within the OGP framework have focused on several key areas:
1. Enhancing Transparency and Access to Information
Tunisia has made significant progress in establishing a legal and institutional framework that guarantees transparency and the right to access information. Key milestones include:
- Constitutional Guarantee: Article 32 of the 2014 Constitution guarantees the right to access information as a fundamental right.
- Access to Information Law: Enacted in 2016, this law defines the legal basis for information access and transparency.
- Access to Information Authority: Established in 2017, this authority oversees the implementation of access-to-information regulations.
These achievements have been complemented by initiatives such as:
- Developing guides for public officials and citizens to facilitate understanding and exercising the right to information.
- Conducting capacity-building programs, including training sessions in cooperation with the OECD and other international organizations.
- Publishing financial documents, such as budget reports, to enhance fiscal transparency.
2. Advancing Open Data Initiatives
Open data has emerged as a cornerstone of Tunisia’s transparency efforts. The government has launched several national and sectoral open data portals, including:
- National Open Data Portal: Launched in 2016 to centralize and share public data.
- Sectoral Portals: Platforms for key ministries, such as the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, Ministry of Transport, and Ministry of Finance (“Mizaniyyatuna” or “Our Budget”).
These platforms aim to create value-added services, foster innovation, and enhance citizen engagement.
3. Fostering Participatory Governance
The OGP initiative prioritizes collaboration between the government, civil society, and citizens. During the COVID-19 pandemic, remote working sessions and public consultations allowed the government to incorporate public input into its plans. As a result, 13 commitments were developed, reflecting Tunisians’ aspirations. Key commitments include:
- Strengthening transparency and the right to access information.
- Promoting integrity and a participatory approach.
- Enhancing local governance and youth involvement in public affairs.
- Governing natural resource management with greater inclusivity.
- Improving public services to better meet citizens’ needs.
Advancing Open Government at the Local Level in Tunisia
Guided by the Local Authorities Code issued in May 2018 and principles from the 2014 Constitution, Tunisia has embraced a transformative approach to local governance. This framework promotes democracy, transparency, accountability, and citizen participation.
Specific Projects and Commitments
- Enhancing Citizen Interaction
- Developing mechanisms for citizen communication in at least eight municipalities.
- Improving public reception services through innovative solutions like the “Digitized Citizen Space,” offering streamlined digital services.
- Open Data and Transparency
- Conducting an inventory of public data in at least eight municipalities.
- Publishing priority public data sets in open formats, with a focus on geographic data.
- Participatory Implementation
- Organizing workshops, seminars, and periodic meetings to engage stakeholders in every stage of implementation.
- Encouraging collaboration between municipalities and other stakeholders to align initiatives with local needs.
Governance of Natural Resources and Digitization of Services
Tunisia is enhancing municipal governance through digital transformation and open data utilization, focusing on generating measurable improvements in residents’ lives. Key initiatives include:
- Streamlining Administrative Processes: Digitizing service implementation processes to enhance efficiency and reduce processing times for citizen requests.
- Unlocking the Potential of Open Data: Publishing public data in open formats to encourage data reuse, foster innovation, and showcase practical applications.
By aligning municipal services with principles of transparency, efficiency, and innovation, Tunisia is addressing the fundamental needs of its residents. These efforts strengthen public trust and empower citizens to actively engage with their local government.
Reference :
Download the National Action Plan for the Open Government Partnership in Tunisia from 2021-2023 link: https://www.opengovpartnership.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Tunisia_Action-Plan_2021-2023_AR.pdf
http://www.ogptunisie.gov.tn/fr/
