In this step, we explore different approaches for local authorities to codesign solutions with the public through various methods of public dialogue. “Codesign” or “co-creation” refers to a process or set of activities in which community members, local authority representatives and other relevant stakeholders collaboratively and jointly work together to create a solution.  

Codesign puts community members on an equal footing with local officials. One example of this process in practice is the Open Government Partnership’s cohort of local government members, who engage in codesign processes to develop open government action plans. 

Box 24. The Open Government Partnership (OGP) Local model of co-creation

Open Government Partnership LogoOpen Government Partnership Local Logo

The Open Government Partnership began in 2011 as a network of national governments aiming to adopt more open, transparent and accountable governance reforms codesigned by elected and unelected officials and civil society. OGP Local was founded in 2016 to bring this process to local governments, and its membership now includes more than 150 local authorities worldwide. As members of the OGP community, these local authorities have committed to co-create open government action plans with residents and civil society.

These co-creation processes require local officials to work with civil society to agree on the scope and shape of individual commitments. Commitments cover various issues, including anti-corruption, access to justice, access to information, digitization and citizen participation mechanisms. OGP asks members to keep to the following five standards during any co-creation process:80

  1. Establishing a space for ongoing dialogue and collaboration between government, civil society and other nongovernmental stakeholders.
  2. Providing open, accessible and timely information about activities and progress within a member’s participation in OGP.
  3. Providing inclusive and informed opportunities for public participation during co-creation of the action plan.
  4. Providing a reasoned response and ensuring ongoing dialogue between government and civil society and other nongovernmental stakeholders as appropriate during co-creation of the action plan.
  5. Providing inclusive and informed opportunities for ongoing dialogue and collaboration during implementation and monitoring of the action plan.

Research based on OGP data over the last decade shows that a strong and inclusive co-creation process leads to well-designed and more ambitious commitments. Research also shows that stronger results are achieved when collaboration continues through the implementation of reforms. Public participation improves the quality of public services when everyone can speak and officials must consider and respond.81

The OGP model and the members putting it into practice around the world offer a series of concrete examples of how local authorities can work with residents to codesign solutions relating to open, transparent, accountable and responsive government. Read more about OGP Local and the process here: Link.

In all instances, the local authority must communicate solutions clearly with the public. However, a separate set of activities co-creating solutions may not be necessary in all instances (see Box 26. Where the core team decides to organize a codesign process, the team can organize processes of varying intensity (e.g., fewer or shorter meetings, more focused selection of participants).

The core team – in consultation with municipal leadership and relevant stakeholders – can use the following as guideposts when deciding if a dedicated period for dialogue and solution codesign is necessary.

Box 25. Public consultation

The process for codesigning solutions may resemble the public consultation process, which is a common and required aspect of the legislative or policymaking process at the national or local level in many countries, including the U.K., New Zealand, Vietnam and beyond. In these and other countries, residents or civil society can pursue legal recourse through the courts or judicial review if a government body has not conducted adequate public consultation. The exact form of public consultation will differ based on situations but may include stakeholder meetings, open public fora or a public discussion document that stakeholders may use to submit their concerns or responses. In many cases, the timeline, format and other characteristics of public consultation are prescribed by law.

Footnotes

80,81 OGP Participation and Co-Creation Standards (Open Government Partnership, 2021), Link.

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