Basque Country’s Bold New Open Government Plan & Global Summit Hosting Signals a Commitment to Transparency
Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain – In a move hailed as a significant step towards greater transparency and citizen engagement, the Basque Country (Euskadi) today unveiled its III OGP Euskadi Action Plan 2025-2028. This ambitious plan, developed with extensive input from over 800 citizens and 18 agents, outlines four key commitments designed to strengthen open government principles across the region. The announcement also included the exciting news that Vitoria-Gasteiz will host the IX Global Summit of the Alliance for the Open Government in October 2025 – a testament to Euskadi’s growing influence in the global open government movement. This is breaking news for those following developments in digital governance and civic tech, and a strong signal for SEO focused on transparency initiatives.
Four Pillars of a More Open Euskadi
The new action plan centers around four core commitments, each co-led by a combination of Basque institutions and civil society organizations. This collaborative approach is a hallmark of the OGP Euskadi initiative, ensuring that government actions are truly responsive to the needs and desires of the people.
Empowering Citizens Through Legislative Initiatives
Commitment one focuses on making citizen-led legislative initiatives more effective. A comprehensive protocol will be developed to manage these initiatives, allowing citizens to directly influence the laws that govern their lives. The Basque Government will lead this project, with active participation from the regional deputations of Araba and Gipuzkoa, and the Bilbao City Council. The potential involvement of the Basque Parliament adds another layer of significance.
A Voice for Basque Youth
Recognizing the importance of future generations, commitment two aims to actively involve Basque youth in shaping their own future. A new methodological framework will be established to promote and evaluate youth participation in public activities, incorporating a “Youth Test” to ensure policies are youth-friendly. The EGK-Euskadi Gazteriaren Kontseilua will spearhead this effort, with support from the Basque Government, Bilbao City Council, and the EDE Foundation.
Accountability Through Policy Evaluation
Commitment three tackles the crucial issue of public policy accountability. A framework for evaluating public policies will be defined, ensuring that government actions are demonstrably effective and aligned with public needs. This project will be led by the Basque Government, with active participation from all three regional councils, the three capital municipalities, and Innobasque.
Cultivating Open Government in the Next Generation
Finally, commitment four focuses on instilling the principles of open government in children and adolescents. Leveraging the new Law 2/2024 on Euskadi’s childhood and adolescence, the project will promote participation and transparency from a young age. Bizkaia and Unicef Euskadi will lead this initiative, with support from the Basque Government, Provincial Council of Araba, Bilbao City Council, Vitoria-Gasteiz City Council, EGK, and Sareen Sarea.
Vitoria-Gasteiz to Host Global Open Government Leaders
The selection of Vitoria-Gasteiz to host the IX Global Summit of the Alliance for the Open Government is a major win for the Basque Country. The summit, taking place October 7-9, 2025, will bring together heads of government, public officials, civil society representatives, and experts from around the world to discuss critical issues facing democracies today – including the impact of AI, migration, civic spaces, and access to information. A local OGP meeting will precede the summit on October 6th, providing a platform for the local open government community to showcase its achievements. This event is a prime example of how regional initiatives can gain international recognition and influence.
Addressing the Crisis of Democracies: A New Podcast Series
To further stimulate dialogue and reflection, OGP Euskadi is launching a podcast series titled “the crisis of democracies,” in collaboration with “is not the end of the world – the world order.” The podcast, which will be streamed live from Tabakalera today, will explore the challenges facing democratic models and the need for adaptation in the current context. This initiative demonstrates a commitment to not just *doing* open government, but also to *thinking* critically about the broader democratic landscape.
The entire OGP Euskadi 2025-2028 plan is available for review at ogp.euskadi.eus. The Basque Country’s dedication to open government isn’t just about policy; it’s about building a more engaged, accountable, and responsive society – a model that other regions around the world can learn from. Stay tuned to archyde.com for continued coverage of this developing story and insights into the future of open governance.
