Draft:Open Gov Hub

The Open Gov Hub is a non profit co-working community based in Washington, D.C., and serves as a collaborative space for over 90 organizations. Most of these organizations are nonprofits that promote transparency, accountability, and civic engagement globally. The Hub, spanning 20,000 square feet, provides a physical home for about 150 individuals who work on open government reforms through various mediums, including technology, media, research, and advocacy.

Founded in 2012, Open Gov Hub was created to foster collaboration between diverse sectors, enabling organizations to work more effectively toward improving governance and civic participation. It aims to break down traditional silos, encouraging cooperation across disciplines such as research, technology, and journalism. The Hub’s mission also includes offering resources and a community to help members achieve greater impact by sharing resources and best practices.

This space also provides services such as event and conference rooms and hosts numerous collaborative programs and events related to open government issues​

History and founding

Open Gov Hub was founded in 2012 with the vision of breaking through traditional silos between different sectors and organizations to foster the collaboration necessary to address the global challenges of the time, particularly those related to good governance and government transparency. By bringing together a diverse range of professionals—including researchers, data analysts, communicators, technologists, lawyers, and journalists—the Hub aimed to uncover the vast potential of co-location and collaboration in advancing open government initiatives across various countries and contexts.

The timing of Open Gov Hub's founding coincided with a significant moment in global governance. In 2011, President Obama announced the creation of the Open Government Partnership (OGP) at the United Nations General Assembly, a move that aligned with the surge in people-powered movements worldwide, such as the Arab Spring. The open government movement was gaining traction, and this momentum, combined with a global rise in coworking spaces, incubators, and resource centers, presented a unique opportunity for Open Gov Hub to emerge as a pioneering space for collaborative impact.

Open Gov Hub was founded through the combined efforts of two non-governmental organizations—Global Integrity and Development Gateway. Their shared vision, combined with the serendipitous availability of resources and commitment, helped launch the Hub as a platform for social impact.

The first iteration of Open Gov Hub existed between 2013 and 2014 in the old offices of Development Gateway at the Organization of American States building. This 1.5-year incubation period allowed the founders to recruit early tenant members and develop a long-term plan for the space. On April 1, 2014, the Hub relocated to its current location, a custom-built 20,000-square-foot facility in downtown Washington, D.C., marking the official launch of the second phase of Open Gov Hub.

Since its inception, Open Gov Hub has expanded significantly, with its membership base, programs, and collaborations growing to reflect its ongoing commitment to open governance and social impact.

Mission and vision

The mission of Open Gov Hub is to foster collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and collective impact among organizations working to promote transparency, accountability, and open governance worldwide. Since its founding in 2012, Open Gov Hub has focused on leveraging its diverse network of members to amplify their collective potential—believing that working together can achieve far more than working alone.

Open Gov Hub envisions a world where collaboration across sectors and disciplines accelerates progress towards open, accountable, and responsive governance. By creating a dynamic meeting place—both in-person and virtually—the Hub cultivates an environment where shared values drive collaboration, innovation, and learning. Members regularly engage through events, casual conversations, and digital platforms like Slack, enhancing their social impact through everyday exchanges of knowledge and resources.

With a commitment to continuously evolving and improving, Open Gov Hub actively curates connections among members, expands shared resources, and tailors its services to meet the needs of its community. The vision is to build a more connected, empowered global network that can rise to the governance challenges of our time.

Programs and Services

Open Gov Hub is located in the heart of downtown Washington, D.C., at 1100 13th Street NW, Suite 800, Washington, DC 20005, United States. The Hub occupies a newly-built, custom-designed corner suite that offers abundant natural light and features a private patio. The office includes up to 5,000 square feet of conference and event space available for rent, making it a versatile venue for meetings, workshops, and large events. The Hub is designed to meet the needs of its members and external clients alike, offering a range of spaces and services. Members have access to world-class facilities, including dedicated desks, conference rooms, and meeting spaces, as well as virtual memberships for those seeking a flexible, remote option. Additionally, non-members can rent conference and meeting spaces, making Open Gov Hub an ideal location for organizations looking to host events in a professional and dynamic environment.

Membership and partnerships

Open Gov Hub has cultivated a diverse community of organizations, the majority of which are non-profits dedicated to advancing transparency, accountability, and open governance around the world. By offering a collaborative workspace and shared resources, the Hub has attracted a wide range of members from various sectors, including technology, international development, policy advocacy, and civic engagement. The Hub’s flexible membership plans cater to the unique needs of organizations, whether they require a physical office space, virtual membership, or simply event and meeting space rentals.

In addition to its members, Open Gov Hub has established strategic partnerships with various organizations and institutions. These partnerships are designed to facilitate the work of its members by providing access to additional resources, services, and opportunities. Through these collaborations, Open Gov Hub continues to expand its impact, creating a thriving ecosystem where members can collaborate more effectively and scale their efforts for greater social impact.

Organization Name	Member since	Sector of work	Thematic areas
Accountability Lab	2012	Governance	Civic Engagement , Leadership Development , Institutional Accountability, Anti-Corruption
African Center for Economic Transformation		Economic Development	Institutional Development , Policy Reform , Private Sector Development , Sustainable Economic Growth , Capacity Building

External links

• Open Gov Hub's official web site

Category:Coworking space providers Category:Non-profit organizations based in Washington, D.C.