The Ash Institute for Democratic Governance and Innovation at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government today announced the Top 20 global programs under consideration for the Innovations in Transforming Government Award, sponsored by IBM. This $100,000 award, administered by the Ash Institute for Democratic Governance, recognizes preeminent transformative government initiatives in operation worldwide.
Innovative programs were selected from more than 100 applicants representing over 30 countries and all levels of government, in areas ranging from social services to government procurement activities. Five finalists and a first winner of the IBM Award will be chosen from the Top 20 programs, based on five criteria: innovation, tangible results, scope, collaboration and the potential for global replication.
The recipient of the IBM Innovations in Transforming Government Award will be announced and honored at a reception and dinner on September 24, 2007, in Washington, DC. The event kicks off a year-long celebration of the twentieth anniversary of the Ash Institute’s Innovations in American Government Awards program. The IBM-sponsored award will be among eight $100,000 awards that the Ash Institute will announce.
“Innovation has been the cornerstone of IBM's long-term success in the marketplace.” said Todd Ramsey, general manager, IBM Global Government and Education. “As sponsor of the IBM Innovations in Transforming Government Award, we are pleased to join the Ash Institute in recognizing the leading innovators in government and sharing their programs and experiences with other governments that may be facing similar challenges.”
“In an age where cynicism in government has become commonplace, I am proud of the Ash Institute’s collaboration with IBM to celebrate the truly transformative innovations of these global governments,” said Stephen Goldsmith, director, Innovations in American Government Program at the Ash Institute. “We hope that our recognition of these superb best practices will encourage other government programs around the world to reach for the same level of creativity and impact."
The 20 government programs under consideration were chosen by a team of government evaluators including experts at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government. The most innovative government programs are:
- Bhoomi, India
- Congressional Directory: A Tool for Legislative Transparency, Honduras
- Customer Debt Relief Program, South Africa
- e-Alexandria Government Services Development Program, Egypt
- eProcurement Project in Andhra Pradesh, India
- e-Systems in Transparency and Right to Information, Mexico
- Grants Center for Excellence, USA
- Government Information Center, USA
- Government of Georgia Comprehensive Reforms, Georgia
- Implementation of Performance Contracts in Management of Public Services, Kenya
- Interoperable Communications for Public Safety, USA
- Khuda-Ki-Basti, Pakistan
- Lok-Samwad Democratic Dialogue with the Common People, India
- OneCommunity: Connecting, Enabling, Transforming, USA
- Participa.net, Italy
- Real Time Crime Center, USA
- Rural Microfinance Technical Assistance Project, Mexico
- Service Canada, Canada
- Trail-Blazing Transformation in Vocations and Technical Education, Singapore
- The Treasury of Singapore, Singapore
About The Ash Institute for Democratic Governance and Innovation
The Roy Lila Ash Institute for Democratic Governance and Innovation advances excellence in governance and strengthens democratic institutions worldwide. Through its research, publications, leadership training, global network and awards program – developed in collaboration with a diverse, engaged community of scholars and practitioners - the Ash Institute fosters creative and effective government problem-solving and serves as a catalyst for addressing many of the most pressing needs of the world’s citizens. The Ford Foundation is a founding donor of the institute. Additional information about The Ash Institute is available at
www.ashinstitute.harvard.edu.
IBM Innovations Award in Transforming Government: Top 20 Programs
Bhoomi,
India
Bhoomi is a self-sustainable e-Governance project that automates and streamlines the issuance of rural land records within the Indian state of Karnataka. Since its inception, more than 7 million farmers have gained access to 20 million rural land records at 177 government-owned kiosks located throughout the state.
Congressional Directory: A Tool for Legislative Transparency,
Honduras
Resulting from the collaboration between The Democracy without Borders Foundation and the Honduran National Congress, this program offers citizens a tool to monitor the legislative process and to gain direct access to the legislative branch of Honduras’ federal government.
Customer Debt Relief Program,
South Africa
The Customer Debt Relief Program provides debt relief to low income water customers and develops appropriate policies, including credit programs and payment schedules, for addressing high levels of non-payment activity.
e-Alexandria Government Services Development Program,
Egypt
The e-Alexandria project improves citizen access to the public services offered by seven municipal offices in Alexandria through one-stop, easily accessible service centers. The program standardizes business processes and provides tools for tracking the progress of service requests.
eProcurement Project in Andhra Pradesh,
India
In order to reform the public procurement process, the government of Andhra Pradesh has established a common eProcurement portal for all government agencies to conduct procurement transactions with suppliers online, thereby improving efficiency, transparency, accountability and responsiveness.
eSystems in Transparency and Right to Information in Mexico,
Mexico
Mexico’s eSystems program works to restore citizen trust and confidence in government by simplifying and broadening access to government information through user-friendly and efficient electronic tools.
Government Information Center,
USA
Miami-Dade County’s Government Information Center, with the miamidade.gov web portal and the 3-1-1 Answer Center, consolidates management of existing service delivery initiatives and sets the stage for more centralized, customer-driven data collection, analysis and “cross-cutting” solutions.
Government of Georgia Comprehensive Reforms,
Georgia
The Government of Georgia has transformed the country through dramatic positive changes in approaches to policy making, implementing key reforms in licensing, tax and customs, labor codes, privatization and anticorruption measures.
Grants Center for Excellence,
USA
The Grants Center for Excellence is an innovative electronic government initiative of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that supports vulnerable American populations by significantly reducing government funds consumed in managing food, medical care, shelter, training and education assistance programs.
Implementation of Performance Contracts in Management of Public Services,
Kenya
The Government of Kenya’s implementation of performance contracts within the service delivery process introduces an accountability framework for better measuring and monitoring efficient utilization of public resources and service delivery.
Interoperable Communications for Public Safety,
USA
Established as a platform for voice interoperability among first responders, the District of Columbia Interoperable Communications for Public Safety program promises to change the culture of public safety communications nationwide.
Khuda-Ki-Basti,
Pakistan
Khuda-Ki-Basti offers low income populations throughout Pakistan with a viable means for home ownership. Since its inception in 1986, the program has distributed land for home settlement to more than 100,000 families.
Lok-Samwad Democratic Dialogue with the Common People,
India
Lok-Samwad facilitates the interaction between the superintendent-of-police and citizens within remote villages, thereby saving travel and opportunity costs. The program promotes a visitorless and paperless office through greater use of video-conferencing and scanned documents.
OneCommunity: Connecting, Enabling, Transforming,
USA
OneCommunity’s fiber-optic network connects Northeast Ohio’s public and non-profit institutions to each other and the world, thereby enabling innovative and collaborative problem-solving and transforming Cleveland into a globally competitive region.
Participa.net,
Italy
Coordinated by the Emilia-Romagna regional government, Participa.net is an e-democracy project aimed to stimulate citizen participation during all stages of the legislative decision-making process, through new mechanisms and a new information system.
Real Time Crime Center,
USA
The Real Time Crime Center provides New York Police Department officers with instantaneous crime information to help identify patterns, halt emerging trends and assist with crime scene investigation.
Rural Microfinance Technical Assistance Project,
Mexico
Rural Microfinance Technical Assistance Project, launched by the Mexican Ministry of Agriculture, provides highly-specialized technical assistance to selected financial intermediaries that have tailored banking services to the rural poor.
Service Canada,
Canada
A collaboration of fourteen federal departments and multiple community organizations, Service Canada combines government programs and benefits together in a single delivery network. It provides citizens with a one-stop, personalized and cost-effective source of social services information.
Trail-Blazing Transformation in Vocations and Technical Education,
Singapore
The Institute of Technical Education offers Singapore’s academically challenged youth viable opportunities for achievement through vocational technical education. Under its 10-year reform plan, the Institute has evolved into a world-renowned vocational school.
The Treasury of Singapore,
Singapore
The Treasury of Singapore allows citizens to more broadly access government information and services through online and mobile device modes. The initiative is part of the Prime Minister’s program for improving public service delivery through innovative ideas.
