# Open Up Contracting

> website

**Wikidata**: [Q100989586](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q100989586)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/open-up-contracting

## Summary
Open Up Contracting is a website (openupcontracting.org) that promotes civic engagement in public contracting, focusing on government procurement across multiple countries.

## Key Facts
- It was established in 1990 (inception year)
- Operates from the Netherlands
- Uses a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International license
- Sponsored by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands
- Operated by Hivos organization
- Has 158 sitelinks according to the source
- Focuses on government procurement as its main subject
- Operates in multiple countries including Guatemala, Indonesia, Philippines, Malawi, Kenya, Tanzania, and Bolivia
- The website is available in English

## FAQs
### Q: What is Open Up Contracting?
A: It's a website that promotes civic engagement in public contracting, focusing on government procurement across multiple countries.

### Q: Who operates Open Up Contracting?
A: The website is operated by Hivos, and it's sponsored by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands.

### Q: What is the main subject of Open Up Contracting?
A: The main subject is government procurement, with operations in several countries including Guatemala, Indonesia, Philippines, Malawi, Kenya, Tanzania, and Bolivia.

### Q: What is the website's license?
A: The website uses a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International license.

## Why It Matters
Open Up Contracting plays a significant role in promoting transparency and accountability in government procurement processes across multiple countries. By making information about public contracting accessible, it helps citizens and civil society organizations monitor how public funds are allocated and ensure that government procurement follows ethical and transparent practices. The project addresses the challenge of opaque procurement systems that can lead to corruption and misallocation of resources, particularly in developing countries where such issues are more prevalent. Through its focus on civic engagement, Open Up Contracting empowers citizens to participate in oversight of public spending, contributing to more accountable governance and better use of public resources.

## Notable For
- Operates in seven countries across Africa and Asia, demonstrating its global reach and impact
- Uses a Creative Commons license, making its resources freely available for others to use and adapt
- Is sponsored by the Dutch government's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, indicating official support
- Operates under the umbrella of Hivos, a Dutch development organization with extensive experience in civil society support
- Focuses specifically on government procurement, a critical area for public accountability and anti-corruption efforts

## Body
### Website Overview
Open Up Contracting is a comprehensive online platform dedicated to promoting transparency and citizen engagement in public contracting processes. The website serves as a central hub for information, resources, and tools related to government procurement across multiple countries.

### Organization and Sponsorship
The website is operated by Hivos, a Dutch development organization, and is sponsored by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands. This partnership indicates official government support for the initiative, which aims to enhance transparency in public procurement systems.

### Licensing and Accessibility
Open Up Contracting uses a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International license, making its content freely available for others to use, adapt, and distribute. This open approach ensures that the resources developed by the organization can be widely accessed and utilized by civil society organizations, journalists, and citizens working on procurement transparency issues.

### Geographic Focus
The platform operates in seven countries: Guatemala, Indonesia, Philippines, Malawi, Kenya, Tanzania, and Bolivia. These countries represent diverse regions and contexts, allowing the organization to develop and test approaches that can be adapted to different local conditions and challenges.

### Mission and Approach
The website's motto is "Promoting Civic Engagement in Public Contracting," reflecting its core mission to empower citizens to monitor and influence government procurement processes. The platform provides resources, tools, and information to help civil society organizations and citizens understand and engage with public procurement systems effectively.

### Technical Details
The website is available in English and serves from the domain openupcontracting.org. According to the source material, it has 158 sitelinks, indicating its presence and relevance in the online space related to government procurement and transparency. The platform appears to be an ongoing project rather than a static informational site, suggesting continuous development and updates.

## References

1. [Source](https://opendataday.org)
2. [Source](https://openupcontracting.org/countries/)