I recently participated in discussions at Open Forum Europe’s EU Open Source Policy Summit, FOSDEM and Open UK’s State of Open conference. All of these discussions touched on how governments and open source vendors need to work together and, specifically, how public sector organisations can help fund open source development.

It feels as though 2024 was a year that highlighted the need for a new era of communications. To cite just a few examples, Russia intercepted German military discussions about providing Taurus missiles to Ukraine through a security lapse during a WebEx video conference call. A weakness exploited through a lack of interoperability between systems, and reliance on the unencrypted phone network to bridge the gap.

‍ Did you know that Estonia’s e-Government initiative helped save the country about 2% of its GDP annually? Such successful digital transformation in government initiatives helped reduce bureaucratic processes, streamline services, and more. Unfortunately, many countries still face challenges with outdated government software and digital systems. These put taxpayers at risk, which impedes service delivery, citizen trust, and transparency.

For governments across the globe, the shift to online services in place of manual service delivery promises not just a more efficient bureaucracy but a more open and accessible system for everyone. According to the 2023 OECD Digital Government Index, 70% of OECD countries have enhanced online service delivery, reflecting a strong shift towards citizen-centric digital interactions.

No one likes writing documentation, but everyone needs it—especially in government projects. Balancing the fast-paced world of innovation with the formal demands of government documentation is not easy for startups. Let’s explore common challenges on both sides—what organizations face and what government teams expect—and offers best practices on how to tackle them, keeping things agile and manageable.

Navigating the world of government contracting can be a challenging endeavor for consulting firms, especially given the complex regulations, lengthy procurement processes, and intense competition. However, by employing strategic approaches and leveraging technology, consulting firms can simplify these processes, enhance efficiency, and achieve business growth. Here are three tips for consulting firms looking to streamline their government contracting efforts and improve their bottom line.

‍ Government-to-citizen communication is a cornerstone of effective governance and is crucial for transparency, public trust, and civic engagement. However, governments frequently lag in digital innovation, struggling to meet the high expectations of tech-savvy citizens. Salesforce's 2023 Connected Government Report found that while 87% of citizens confirm that a great digital experience would increase their trust in government, only 35% are satisfied with current digital services.

‍ Over 5 billion internet users worldwide underscore the importance of digital public engagement tools. These tools enhance citizen participation in governance. Effective public engagement tools are vital for: These tools bridge the gap between policymakers and the public, ensuring governance that is transparent, accountable, inclusive, and sustainable. They provide a platform for everyone, decentralizing communication and fostering a responsible government.

‍ A government communications strategy is a coordinated plan that aims to inform, engage, and influence the public. Effective communication is crucial for transparency, public trust, and successful policy implementation. Evaluating successful government communications strategy examples can help administrations design an effective approach to communication.

Citizеn еngagеmеnt mеans еvеryonе has a say in decisions that affect thеm. And, in any democracy, it’s important for people to be involved in how things are run. Now, with technology, it's еasiеr than еvеr for pеoplе to gеt involvеd.