OGN Publications 31st August 2025

Terms of Reference for the UK Open Government Network 2025

Terms of Reference of the UK Open Government Network (UK OGN)

1. Introduction

The UK Open Government Network (UK OGN) is a coalition of individuals and civil society organisations committed to ensure the government serves people better and to restore public trust through open government. Open government is a culture of governance grounded in transparency, accountability, integrity and meaningful public participation in support of democracy and inclusive growth (OECD).

It formed in 2012, in response to the UK government becoming a founding member of the now 74 country Open Government Partnership (OGP) a year earlier.

The UK OGN is the lead civil society contact for the UK government and OGP, and has co-ordinated civil society input into all UK National Action Plans for Open Government, connecting reformers inside and outside the government.

The UK OGN also participates in the UK Multi-Stakeholder Forum for Open Government (MSF). This is a joint forum of government and civil society that promotes open government and oversees the development and implementation of National Action Plans for Open Government. 

The UK OGN contributes to:

  • Broadening participation in governance
  • Increasing transparency and access to information
  • Enhancing accountability
  • Improving policy-making and service delivery
  • Strengthening public trust in democratic institutions

In alignment with the OGP, key policy areas for the UK OGN include: Anti-Corruption, Civic space, Climate and Environment, Digital Governance, Fiscal Openness, Inclusion, Justice, Public participation, and Right to information.

2. Objectives

  • Connecting to reform by convening and representing a diverse UK civil society – including the devolved nations – to co-create, implement and monitor the UK’s Open Government National Action Plans (via the Multi-Stakeholder Forum) and link UK efforts to the wider OGP community.
  • Scrutinising, celebrating, and advocating for, reform through independent, non-partisan oversight of open-government policy and practice, championing best practice in transparency, accountability, integrity and meaningful public participation while engaging constructively with government, parliament and the public.
  • Sustaining reform by securing and stewarding the partnerships, resourcing and governance needed for ongoing civil-society participation and delivery of open-government commitments.

3. Values and Principles

UK OGN operates in accordance with the following values:

  • Transparency: Open and accessible communication and decision-making
  • Integrity: Upholding ethical standards and public interest
  • Accountability: Responsibility to funders, the open government community and the wider public
  • Participation: Inclusive engagement of in all activities
  • Inclusion: Ensuring diversity of voices and perspectives
  • Collaboration: Working collectively across sectors and communities to share best practice, build trust, and strengthen the impact of open government reforms.

4. Relationship with Devolved Networks and OGP Local representatives

The UK OGN focuses on engagement with the UK Government. It collaborates closely with Open Government Networks in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, which are autonomous but aligned through shared values and commitment to the OGP process. 

The UK OGN also collaborates with and OGP Local members including Greater Manchester Combined Authority and Glasgow City Council alongside Scotland and Northern Ireland.

5. Governance and Structure

5.1 Steering Committee

The Steering Committee is responsible for:

  • Setting the strategic direction of the UK OGN
  • Guiding and monitoring activities to achieve objectives set out in Section 2.0
  • Approving and overseeing the recruitment and management of project personnel (e.g. freelance project manager).
  • Managing the fiscal relationship with the host organisation
  • Approving and monitoring the use of the budget
  • Reviewing and approving reports and updates to funders, with support from the host organisation as needed.

5.2 Composition: 

  • The Steering Committee will consist of 8-15 members, including at least one representative from each devolved network.
  • The Steering Committee will seek to reflect the diversity of the UK and the communities affected by open government policy. We will strive to ensure gender balance and viewpoints from underrepresented perspectives, including but not limited to race and ethnicity, disability, age, geography, and lived experience. 
  • To support this, the Steering Committee will: Use a diversity and skills matrix during recruitment to identify gaps; Aim for no more than two-thirds of members to be of the same gender; Encourage applications from individuals with lived experience and from historically excluded groups; Ensure transparent, accessible selection processes; Regularly review its composition against its equity and inclusion goals. At all times, we will seek to uphold and apply the values of equity, inclusion, and participation.

5.3 Committee membership: Transitional Provision (2025–2027)

  • Recognising the value of existing Steering Committee members, all current members as of [28/08/25] may be reappointed for one further two-year term, regardless of previous length of service. This provision will be reviewed and expire in 2027.
  • Additional members will be recruited to the committee through a process of open recruitment that aligns with the goals set out in 5.2

5.4 Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson:

  • Elected by and from the Steering Committee

6. Fiscal Hosting Arrangement

As the UK OGN is not a legal entity, it operates with the support of a fiscal host organisation.

The host organisation (currently Involve) agrees to:

  • Receive and administer grant funding on behalf of UK OGN
  • Provide bookkeeping, financial reporting, and compliance services
  • Process payments in line with agreed budgets and procurement policies

This arrangement is governed by a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) reviewed annually. A portion of grant budgets is allocated to cover host organisation costs.

7. Decision-Making

UK OGN aims to make decisions through consensus whenever possible, particularly on strategic and public-facing matters. When consensus cannot be reached the Steering Committee may make decisions by a majority vote. In the event of a tie, the Chairperson will hold the casting vote. 

8. Review and Updates

These Terms of Reference will be reviewed annually by the Steering Committee and proposed changes will be shared with the network for input and consensus.

Date of next scheduled review: [28/08/26]