Trust, accountability, and participation
SCDC worked with Scottish Government and civil society partners to help co-create the next Open Government Action Plan for 2026-2030.
Open government is a global movement centred around increasing participation and inclusion in decision-making.
We brought together people from community groups, third sector organisations, and public bodies across online and in person events to understand what was important to them.
Final report and recommendations
August 2026
The co-creation process included an open survey, SCDC-hosted events, local group discussions, self-facilitated sessions by equalities groups, a series of events across each of action plan's themes, and an in-person discussion.
Our findings suggest that the next National Action Plan should focus on six key areas:
Transparent decision-making: making decision-making processes, evidence and outcomes more visible and understandable.
Meaningful participation and inclusion: creating stronger, more inclusive and better-resourced participation systems.
Accountability and integrity: improving oversight, scrutiny and public understanding of how accountability operates.
Open data and information: increasing access to usable, accessible and transparent information and data.
Ethical digital government: promoting responsible, transparent and accountable use of data, AI and emerging technologies.
Trust, capacity and public understanding: building democratic literacy, data literacy and confidence in public participation.
The report features details of the co-creation process, as well as additional detail one each of the recommendations.
Events: The next steps for open government in Scotland
21st and 29th September 2026
This is a chance to learn more about the co-creation of the new Open Government National Action Plan and look ahead to the next stage of the process.
Open Government Team response
September 2026
The response from the Open Government Team covers:
an overview of what we heard through the co-creation process for the next Open Government Action Plan 2026 to 2030 (your recommendations and possible actions to us)
which of these could be taken forward in the next Open Government Action Plan
which of these will need more work before they can progress
how we will keep people updated
With the publication of this response, Juliet Swann, Co-chair of the Open Government Steering Group and Jamie Hepburn MSP, Minister for Parliamentary Business and Veterans and Co-chair of the Open Government Steering Group, issued a letter of thanks to all those who took part in the co-creation process.
A message from the Open Government Team:
Scotland's next Open Government Action Plan will be more flexible. Instead of having one set time to decide what work should be included, we will keep looking for opportunities to develop on ideas shared throughout the life of the plan.
This means that if suggested ideas are feasible but not ready to move forward yet, we can come back to them later when the time is right and when both government and civil society are ready to work on them.
This approach will help government and people outside government work together in a more responsive way, and in a way that prioritises available resources and time to focus on achieving change.
Next stage of co-creation
This response is not the final Action Plan, but it does set out our proposals for the final Action Plan. We have used what we heard through the co-creation process so far to identify where possible actions you’ve outlined might be feasible to deliver through the next Open Government Action Plan.
We now want to hear from you about whether our response is clear and whether these areas of work feel like the right focus, how they could be strengthened and where they should perhaps connect to other work you know is already happening. Please share your views by completing the feedback form.
Your feedback will be shared with the relevant Scottish Government teams before draft commitments, milestones and outcomes are developed with civil society partners.
Want to get involved?
Tell us which projects you would like to help with or hear more about. The Projects sections show what you can get involved in when the plan starts (subject to final Ministerial agreement) and what opportunities may come later.
To get involved please complete an expression of interest form. If you are unable to provide any more feedback or cannot get involved, but would like to stay updated, you can follow our progress through our bulletin, blog and LinkedIn. We will also share progress on our Open Government page.
