The 2026 Open Government Week is scheduled to take place around the world from May 18 to 22, 2026, during which its initiator, the Open Government Partnership (OGP), will mark the official launch of the partnership’s 15th year anniversary celebrations, building momentum toward a global moment at the United Nations General Assembly in September, where OGP was first established in 2011.
The Open Government Week is a global initiative led by the OGP that celebrates open, transparent, and accountable governance. Throughout the week, which marks the 8th Open Government Week, the OGP community will host events, hackathons, debates, and creative actions that showcase the power of open government in practice.
The OGP Secretariat is inviting members of the community to share the success they are most proud of and their vision for the future of open government, through short videos, social media posts, and local events.
Every year, the Open Government Week brings the global open government community together, including governments, civil society, parliaments, the judiciary and entire justice sector, academia, the private sector, and citizens, to showcase initiatives, share ideas, collaborate on ways to make public institutions more responsive and inclusive, spark action, and celebrate progress.
As this year, 2026, marks 15 years of the OGP, signifying 15 years of collaboration between governments and civil society to build more open, resilient, and prosperous societies. Be part of the movement and stay tuned for how you can join in!
During the week, participants all over the world are expected to attend workshops and webinars on open government practices, innovation, and citizen engagement; share ideas, provide feedback, and contribute to policies that shape communities; as well as collaborate with public servants, activists, and innovators from around the world.
The Open Government Week brings to life the principles of transparency, citizen participation, and accountability that underpin the work of OGP, a multilateral initiative launched in 2011 to secure concrete commitments from governments to promote openness, fight corruption, and harness new technologies to strengthen governance.
The Week is marked by a rich diversity of activities, as governments showcase reforms, civil society groups amplify citizen voices, and innovators present digital tools designed to make public institutions more accessible and responsive.
At its core, the Open Government Week is about bridging the divide between those who govern and those who are governed, while seeking to transform governance from a closed, top-down process into one that is participatory and responsive.
Workshops and public dialogues held during the Week allow citizens to engage directly with policymakers, ask questions, and contribute ideas, with the result that for many participants, it is a rare opportunity to be heard and to possibly influence decisions that affect their daily lives.
Civil society organizations play a crucial role in this process, as they act as intermediaries, mobilizing mobilising communities, facilitating discussions, and holding governments accountable for their commitments. Through their efforts, the ideals of open government are translated into practical actions that resonate at the grassroots level.
The Open Government Week is also a showcase for innovation, as across the world, governments and tech communities use the occasion to launch new platforms and tools aimed at improving transparency and service delivery.
These may include open data portals, budget tracking applications, and feedback mechanisms that allow citizens to report issues or monitor government projects. By leveraging technology, these initiatives make it easier for people to access information and participate in governance processes.
In Nigeria, Open Government Week has served as an opportunity to assess progress on national action plans under the OGP framework, with stakeholders gathering to discuss issues such as access to information, anti-corruption measures, fiscal transparency, and civic engagement.
For example, OGP reformers in Nigeria have used the week, among other spaces, to highlight progress in areas such as beneficial ownership transparency, open contracting, and digital access to public information.
Such conversations, over the years, have highlighted both achievements and persistent gaps, creating space for reflection and expression of renewed commitment. Although numerous challenges remain, these efforts demonstrate the potential of open government principles to drive meaningful change.
Thus, despite its celebratory tone, the Open Government Week also brings into sharp focus the challenges that persist. In Nigeria, for instance, issues such as restricted access to information, shrinking civic space, and attacks on journalists continue to hinder progress.
Governments are, therefore, encouraged to report on their commitments, while civil society organizations and citizens provide feedback on what is working and what is not – a dynamic that fosters a culture of accountability that is essential for the success of open government reforms.
