2020 marks the last year of a unique five-year-long strategic partnership between ARTICLE 19, Hivos, and the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs coming together in the Open Up Contracting program. Under the ministry’s Dialogue and Dissent program, alliances were forged with organizations around the world. Together, we increased transparency of governments’ public spending and procurement processes; we encouraged non-state actors to participate and engage citizens in the planning, procurement, and monitoring of public contracting; and we created accountability mechanisms to receive and act upon citizen feedback.

To mark and celebrate the end of the Open Up Contracting Program, Hivos will hold a week long, virtual closeout party, from Monday September 21 to Thursday September 24. During this week, we’ll look back at achievements, ask ourselves what has changed, and determine how to pursue sustainability in our open contracting work after this year.

Have a look at the program below and hope to see you there! (Times of the event, below, reflect CEST).