The article and interview covered diverse subjects including the required change in government culture and the need to think beyond online in ensuring that citizens have access to information. The Minister says the OGP requires a cultural shift in how public servants work. Rajani talked about a new approach to governing, “government doesn’t just rule, it actually seeks to solve problems collaboratively. It recognizes that it doesn’t have all the answers. In that sense, it can also be very liberating for government, to not have to feel it has to shoulder all the responsibility and fix all the problems.”

Read the article on the SSIR website or download it below.

The latest survey results show mixed progress.  The state of budget transparency around the world is dismal.  The average score is 43 out of 100. Of the 100 countries surveyed, 40 provide their citizens with minimal, scant or no information on the government budget. 21 countries do not even publish the budget proposal. Compounding this problem is the fact that the vast majority of countries provide minimal, if any, opportunities for citizen engagement in the budget process. The average score for participation is just 19 out of 100.  In addition, while legislators and Supreme Audit institutions have reasonable levels of legal powers, in practice levels of autonomy and resourcing undermine effective oversight. 

But, this is just one side of the story. There has also been a consistent improvement in the scores of 40 countries that IBP has been tracking since 2006. Scores for this group have increased by an average of ten percent over this period, and even higher for several countries that previously scored at the bottom of the index.  Further, while natural-resource and aid-dependent countries in Africa and MENA tend to score low on the index, there are good performers in each of these categories and regions (Mexico, Botswana, South Africa, Jordan.)  Most countries already produce considerable data for internal purpose or donors that they do not release to their citizens.  Any country can do well on budget transparency – and it can improve reasonably quickly and at modest cost - if it has the political will to do so.

Download the full report 

Interrogate the findings with the data tool  

View the infographic

Watch the video about the survey

MAVC is inspired by and supports the goals of the Open Government Partnership. The Open Government Partnership (www.opengovpartnership.org) is a new multilateral initiative aimed at securing firm commitments from participating governments against four principles: 

1. 
   Transparency


2. 
   Civic participation


3. 
   Anti-corruption


4. 
   Using technology and innovation to make government more open, effective, and accountable

MAVC brings together the UK’s Department for International Development (DFID), US Agency for International Development (USAID), Omidyar Network (ON) and other funders to create a fund in the region of US$30-35 million. Twaweza has provided input in the development of the idea.

MAVC is currently seeking a Fund Manager to identify and support work in four areas to exploit mobile, web, and new technologies in support of citizen engagement and government responsiveness:

1. 
   Backing innovative ideas and technology solutions


2. 
   Building an evidence base on what works and why


3. 
   Scaling up successful initiatives and responses


4. 
   Catalyzing global attention and action around these issues

MAVC will concentrate its efforts in emerging democracies, where delivering to citizens is at a particular premium, with an expected focus at municipal and subnational levels, where citizens interact most with government.

As the lead donor and contracting authority, DFID intends to engage a Fund Manager (FM) to implement MAVC under the strategic direction of the funding partners. The Fund Manager will create opportunities or local organisations to compete for funding to create, implement and scale solutions that will help meet these goals.

To promote this procurement opportunity, an informational webinar is taking place on Wednesday 10 October at 8am EST.  At the webinar, basic information about Making All Voices Count will be presented. To participate, there are just three easy steps:

1. 
   Click here: https://ac.usaid.gov/dfid/


2. 
   Click on "guest"


3. 
   Agree to terms


4. 
   You will then be linked to webinar

Expressions of interest on behalf of consortia wishing to bid for the position of fund manager of MAVC are welcome. All documentation related to this tender is available through the DFID suppliers portal. The deadline for expressions of interest (Pre-Qualification Questionnaires) is 05 November 2012, 1400 (2pm), only via the DFID portal.

Of the Twaweza Budget Explorer, Business Today says that with it ‘Kenyans will have a greater say in the management of public funds.’

In addition, a visualization from the Budget Explorer has been showcased on the homepage of the Kenya Open Data website, seen here. View the Kenya Budget Explorer here and the Tanzania Budget Explorer here. 

The idea behind TRAC FM is simple: Radio hosts give their listeners a question regarding public service delivery. Citizens send their response via free SMS. The answers are instantly processed and visualized to be shared on air. The results are used in subsequent radio interviews with authorities and in print and online media.

TRAC FM was launched in May 2011 and is working to promote accountability in the country. For example, one TRAC FM participant says that the program ‘makes us be part of the running of our society and administration… I am part of the decision-making because my ideas are also considered.’

Watch the full video here and visit the TRAC FM website here to read more about their work and view all poll results.

More than 400 delegates from 53 countries are expected to participate in the conference. Over the course of the two day meeting, participating countries will present their completed OGP action plans. Delegates will discuss the effective reforms, tools and innovations related to open government and ‘share experiences from their respective countries, providing real examples of how openness can save lives, drive economic growth and reduce widespread corruption around the world,’ according to the OGP website.

Other representatives from Tanzania include Minister Mathias Chikawe who will speak on the panel ‘Lessons Learned in Service Delivery: Government Perspectives,’ several senior governmnet officials from State House and different ministries, and The Foundation for Civil Society Executive Director John Ulanga who will also engage in several panels. Twaweza Head, Rakesh Rajani, who has been involved with OGP from the outset and serves on its Steering Committee, will also participate in the meetings in Brasilia.

For more information and to follow the meeting events, check out the OGP website here.

Read the full speech by Tanzania President Jakaya Kikwete, given at the opening session of the OGP annual meeting in Brasilia on 17 April here. Read the statement presented by Warren Krafchik, International Budget Partnership Director, presented at the meeting. And watch an interview with Twaweza Head Rakesh Rajani on OGP, filmed at the Brasilia meeting here.