Community of practice on local open governments: local actions for transparent and sustainable cities

Both the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the NUA have recognized that sustainable development is impossible to achieve without local leadership, as Mayors and Governors are in the front line of managing and governing cities, human settlements and territories and they are closer to people and to the point of delivery of services. Therefore, they call for stronger, accountable and capable local and regional governments and institutions and for an increased and efficient public services' provision.

As cities offer solutions for addressing challenges of poverty reduction and sustainable development, they also face challenges in terms of delivery of basic services, unplanned sprawl, corruption and mismanagement, among others.

Open government can offer a new platform for addressing and mitigate these problems, as it implies a new way of governance that favors transparency and access to public information, highlights the traceability of political decisions, involves citizens in the cycle of public policies, and promotes joint work among citizens, administrations and the private sector.

The Spanish Federation of Municipalities and Provinces (FEMP), leader of the Community of Practice on transparency and open local governments of United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG) and the Subnational Chapter of the Open Government Partnership (OGP) jointly organize this event to foster the discussion regarding the need to strengthen local and regional governments' capacities to develop and promote innovative mechanisms to improve transparency, accountability and citizen participation as a fundamental strategy for sustainable development. The event will be an opportunity to learn from the innovations taking place at local level and to benefit from a peer-to-peer learning experience with other government figures, experts and CSO championing/interested in similar initiatives. The event will also serve to share and promote the objectives and work of the recently created Community of Practice and to identify possible interested members and partners.