1. OPEN GOVERNMENT IN MACEDONIA
Jeff Kaplan - Senior Consultant, ICT Unit
Email: jeff@openesolutions.com Twitter: @jeffkaplan88

2. Agenda
1. What will Macedonia gain from Open Gov?
3. Why now?
5. Macedonia in the OGP
7. Expectations of OGP
9. What must Macedonia do?

3. Open Government Offers Big Opportunity
Leapfrog others in Europe and join global digital leaders

4. In Search of a Comparative Advantage
Today, networks create competitive advantage as much as size.
Open government creates networks of collaboration and co-creation
that improve competitiveness and produce real economic impact.
• Open Data lowers costs of accessing and reusing government-held
data. Result: more startups and growth of IT sector.
• Open data alone could add at least €25 million per year to
Macedonia’s economy (based on EU study)
• Australian study found Open Data unlocks value = 5x cost of
opening data

5. Open Government
Open
Open gov principles translate into real services Freedom of Info
Budget and apps ...
Data.gov.mk Platform
Citizen Petition
Platform
Co-creation
of Apps,
eServices
Public-Private
Partnerships

6. Why Now?
Perfect time to launch a bold Open Government Program ...
Major new trends (eGov --> Open Gov; PPPs; co-creation; apps)
+
Macedonia officially joining Open Government Partnership
+
Government committed to strengthening Macedonia’s competitiveness
+
Development partners are ready to partner on Open Government

7. Macedonia in the OGP
Perfect time to collaborate on Open Government ...
TRANSPARENCY ACCOUNTABILITY CITIZEN PARTICIPATION

8. Expectations of the OGP

9. Challenges to address:
• Improving Public Services
• Increasing Public Integrity
• More Effectively Managing Public Resources
• Creating Safer Communities
• Increasing Corporate Accountability
Commitments:
• Concrete, succinct and action-oriented
• Respond to public feedback generated through consultations

10. What Will Open Government Deliver?
Continuous improvement of services
Open government
has real ROI ...
New, innovative services
Increased trust in gov’t
Cost savings to gov’t
New apps = jobs & investment

11. OK, now what ... ?

12. Build an Open Government Ecosystem
Open
Government

13. What is needed to build
this?
• A team of champions at highest political levels
• Active engagement by agencies + civil society + private sector
• Knowledge partners to share global best practices and expertise
• Capacity building efforts (for agencies, NGOs, media ...)
• Resources ($$) for a 3-5 year Open Government Program

14. What will be in Macedonia’s Open Gov Plan?
Open Macedonia