The document discusses the characteristics of a connected government, including being participatory, transparent, sharing information and resources, and enabling action from all stakeholders. It argues that a connected government should act as a network by allowing different nodes to act freely within their areas of focus. It also discusses tools a connected government needs, such as communication tools, free and open access to information, research of big data, and using public bounties to engage citizens in problem solving. The document provides examples of civic projects in Portugal that demonstrate these principles.

1. Bruno Amaral
Government
Towards a
Connected

2. A Connected Government
Is participatory
Is Transparent
Shares Information and
Resources
Enables action by all
Stakeholders
Acts as a Network
Acting as a Network means abandoning a notion of hierarchy and accepting that different nodes of
the network should have different areas/fields of action and be free to act within those boundaries with
little or no procedures for approval. It also means being willing to allow new stakeholders to enter and
leave the network in accordance to projects or issues where their presence is valuable.

3. A Connected Government
Social Media
Twitter Blogs Facebook Wikis
Needs
Tools to communicate
Free and open access to information
Research and analysis of big data
Bounty hunters

4. A Connected Government
Needs
Tools to communicate
Free and open access to information
Research and analysis of big data
Bounty hunters
Despite today’s technology
governments sometimes still fail to
provide the Public with information in
a format that is open: can be easily
read in every platform, worked upon
and even searched or shared as the
user sees fit.
In Portugal, a group launched
Demo.Cratica.org : a website that
gathers and shares information about
elected politicians, assembly minutes
and other data they felt the
government was failing to provide in
an open format.

5. A Connected Government
Needs
Tools to communicate
Free and open access to information
Research and analysis of big data
Bounty hunters
Simply put, gathering information is
expensive and takes time. It is
however possible to let citizens
contribute with information via their
mobile phones, reporting problems
and alerting about opportunities and
thus allow government bodies to
focus on curating and making that
information actionable.
GeoDevolutas is an independent
website where users can login and
register vacant housing or buildings
that are in ruins.

6. A Connected Government
Needs
Tools to communicate
Free and open access to information
Research and analysis of big data
Bounty hunters
Government is not the single entity in
the public sector, and yet, when faced
with a problem to solve it opts to
create a research or workgroup to
find solutions.
Other organizations sometimes issue
a Bounty for solutions of a problem or
new projects. Public bounties could
be answered by Universities,
individuals, private companies or any
other stakeholder thus cutting down
costs and allowing for a faster
process of research.

7. A Connected Government
Needs
Tools to communicate
Free and open access to information
Research and analysis of big data
Bounty hunters
Geeks !!
Not everything in an organization can
be planned or predicted and
communication teams are sometimes
faced with challenges in the spur of
the moment.
It is then important to have geeks on
the team, people that are not only
prone to technology but whose desire
for an open government will drive
them to build quick solutions to
communicate in a time of crisis or to
serve as a quick fix until a more
permanent solution can be found.

8. Entrada Nortehttp://st-apolonia.org/

9. Entrada Nortehttp://st-apolonia.org/
2 years of a civic movement mobilized by one citizen using Social
Media, Media Relations and Contact with private organizations and
government officials.
Social Media was essential to acquire the legitimacy to communicate
on TV and Newspapers and finally to pressure government into action.
Classic approaches in civic movements were still essential.

10. Entrada Nortehttp://st-apolonia.org/
In a truly open and connected government the Entrada Norte
movement would have reached its goal by social media and classic
channels alone in a fraction of the time.
If there is no communication at a local level, efforts at a national level
may be faced with dismay.

11. Social Media Consultant
Works for Fullsix Portugal and is in charge of
Communications for SHiFT - Social and Human
Ideas For Technology.
A blogger since 2005
Bruno Amaral
Website : www.brunoamaral.eu
Email : mail@brunoamaral.eu
Twitter : @brunoamaral