Open Government Partnership

Join us for phase 2: co-creating Scotland’s Open Government Action Plan 2026-2030

February 12, 2026 by Open Government Team No Comments | Category Uncategorized

SCDC have now published their findings from our public engagement on trust in government.

Read the report

These findings were used to develop options for phase 2 of the co-creation of Scotland’s Open Government Action Plan.

Phase 2 now brings civil society representatives and government together. In 4 themed workshops we will put forward and discuss actions to include in the next Action Plan.

Nothing has been set in stone. This is a fantastic opportunity to bring together skills and knowledge from across Scotland in partnership with decision-makers in government to drive forward impactful change for Scotland.

Read on to find out more about dates/times, themes, criteria for actions, and how to get involved.

Phase 2 workshop dates and times

4 1 and a half hour workshops are scheduled in early March. One longer workshop will run at the end to understand the emerging details from all the discussions:

• Trust and transparency – 2^nd March: 2-3:30pm (online)
• Ethical use of digital technology, open data and information – 6^th March: 1-2:30pm (online)
• Anti-corruption and accountability – 9^th March: 10:30-12pm (online)
• Public participation – 10^th March: 10:30-12pm (online)
• Emerging actions – 23^rd March, 10-1pm (in person, Glasgow TBC)

(More information about the themes is included below under “Action Plan themes”)

Ideas to bring to the workshops

These workshops need ideas from you. Scottish Government representatives will bring their own ideas as well and together we will talk about what is possible.

We are looking for initiatives that:

• are within Scottish Government’s scope of influence
• are new, would not otherwise take place, or would be substantially improved by the application of an Open Government approach
• are clearly contributing to Open Government principles and practices
• have a clear and feasible aim
• with discussion, can begin to identify challenges and mitigations, timescales, and potential budget implications

The Action Plan will be delivered across 5 years (2026-2030). There is flexibility as to when actions can begin and end throughout this time. Any ideas generated now do not have to start in 2026. Actions can start delivery at the best possible time over the next 5 years.

(further information to help you consider ideas are included below in “Action Plan criteria”)

Feedback sessions

For those who have taken part in the co-creation process so far, further online feedback sessions will run in April.

These sessions will inform previous participants as well as individuals interested in Open Government, about the contents of the draft Action Plan and how their input has shaped this.

Previous examples of Action Plan projects

• Involving people in developing, designing, and improving health and care services in Scotland
• Establishing the Climate Policy Engagement Network
• Guidance on paying participant expenses and time
• World’s first mandated AI register for systems in use or development in Scotland’s public sector

Why get involved?

Open Government approaches can:

• increase trust and legitimacy of decisions by making them transparent and accountable
• improve policy quality by involving diverse voices and expertise to help shape and deliver solutions
• connect you with relevant expertise and decision makers
• strengthen accountability of government with clear milestones and public reporting
• improve delivery through capacity-building partnerships with civil society, academia, communities, and government

Join the workshops to co-create the next Open Government Action Plan

If you would like to contribute your knowledge and skills to this work, please complete the sign up form to attend one or more of the workshops.

Action Plan theme descriptions

Trust and transparency strategy

A trust and transparency strategy will set out how Scottish Government plans to rebuild trust with Scotland.

The strategy aims to embed openness, integrity, and meaningful participation into everyday practice.

This is an opportunity to shape how government:

• communicates clearly and honestly
• publishes information
• supports truthful information
• uses evidence and makes decisions
• creates a trustworthy culture
• understands the issue of trust in government

Anti-corruption and accountability

This theme aims to protect and promote laws, regulations, and standards of integrity and professional behaviour in Scotland.

This is an opportunity to shape how government:

• develops a national anti-corruption strategy
• increases transparency around decision-making
• can be held accountable for its actions
• protects the public purse
• prevents abuse of power for personal gain

Ethical use of digital technology, open data, and information

This theme aims to embed ethical, open, and transparent practices in digital and data‑driven activity across Scottish Government.

Actions will focus on the transparent, fair, and accountable use of technology and data.

This is an opportunity to shape how government:

• publishes data and information
• engages with data and technology communities
• manages data and information
• protects privacy and rights

Public participation

This theme aims to create meaningful, accessible, and frequent opportunities for people to be involved in decision-making.

This is an opportunity to shape how government:

• involves communities early in policy development
• supports high-quality participatory practice
• moves beyond traditional written consultation
• uses digital engagement tools and new approaches
• builds trust in decision-making

Action Plan criteria

Below are questions to work through when deciding whether Scotland’s Open Government Action Plan is the right route for addressing an issue you’re interested in or concerned by.

Please consider each question in turn. If your idea does not meet these criteria, there may be other routes for it to be considered.

Criteria questions:

1. What is the problem you are trying to address, and why does it matter for people and government?
2. How could an Open Government approach (transparency, participation, and accountability) address this problem?
3. Does the Scottish Government have the policy levers to tackle it? (i.e. is it devolved to Scottish Government?)
4. Are there activities already happening that would help address this problem?

• If yes, is there any extra benefit to adopting Open Government values and processes which provide structured ways of working with clear feedback and accountability mechanisms? E.g. momentum, visibility, legitimacy, collaborative input and expertise

5. What feasible new work could be carried out through this Action Plan to address this problem, and what tangible changes would it aim to achieve?

• Will new budget be required?
• What challenges might need addressing and what could be done to mitigate these?
• What timescales could realistically be followed? Please note that there is flexibility in the duration and timing of work included in the Action Plan e.g. only some work will commence in 2026, while other areas will commence at a later stage; some work will be short-term (i.e. 6 months to completion), while other work will be longer-term.
• What is the benefit of government and civil society collaboration on this?

6. How might this work contribute to a vision of trustworthy government by demonstrating one or more of the following? (more detail on each of these can be found in the initial report from SCDC on phase one of the co-creation process:

• Good communication
• Honesty and accountability
• Transparency
• Respect
• Engagement with the public
• Delivery
• Clarity on how the public sector works
• Public interest before personal interest

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