Governments are operating in an environment of unprecedented changes (technological, demographic, environmental, etc.) and yet how they operate is still tied to structures and processes originating from earlier centuries. While much has been learnt, and governments have been experimenting and implementing new approaches, much more must be done if the public sector is to live up to the evolving expectations of citizens. This project is premised on an understanding that the future of government is, and must be, unlike its past. It is one where innovation is embedded, so that governments can be agile in how they respond and have a fundamental appreciation of citizen needs and values.
For this level of transformation to happen, governments need to dramatically expand their learning networks and capacity building. This will only happen if innovation is clearly demonstrated as a core part of how to deliver on core priorities, rather than being seen as an optional extra. The projects supports governments in making their own innovation journey and build the conceptual frameworks (21st century model of innovative government) (WP2) and capabilities and capacities needed to accelerate learning and navigate uncertainty and high level of risks (WP3). These processes are supported by working with direct demonstration projects inside governments to show that systemic change is possible (WP4).