Difference between revisions of "Civic Tech"
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==Term Derivation== | ==Term Derivation== | ||
| − | Civic tech is a form of e-government, or information and communication technologies used to provide public services. Civic tech falls under the government-to-citizen category of e-government. | + | Civic tech is a form of e-government, or information and communication technologies used to provide public services. Civic tech falls under the government-to-citizen category of e-government. Projects under the government-to-citizen category include open government initiatives such as voting, data access and transparency, and mapping and community action initiatives such as peer-to-peer sharing, civic crowdfunding, and neighborhood forums. |
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| + | Broadly, civic tech is a unifier that aims to bring people together who may not otherwise interact. Uniquely, civic tech applies skills and approaches seen in modern design and traditional tech companies to government and community building.<ref>Stephens, John. "Civic Technology: Open Data And Citizen Volunteers As A Resource For NC Local Governments". Sog.Unc.Edu, 2022, https://www.sog.unc.edu/resources/microsites/civictech.</ref> | ||
==National Day of Civic Hacking== | ==National Day of Civic Hacking== | ||
The National Day of Civic Hacking occurs every year on September 18th. Created by the Code for America Brigades, the US Small Business Administration, Secondmuse, and various other federal agencies, the nationwide day challenges people to volunteer and carry out a number of civic tech challenges. | The National Day of Civic Hacking occurs every year on September 18th. Created by the Code for America Brigades, the US Small Business Administration, Secondmuse, and various other federal agencies, the nationwide day challenges people to volunteer and carry out a number of civic tech challenges. | ||
| − | Many companies including Code for America release projects on this day every year and have thousands of volunteers sign up. In 2021, Code for America’s project on improving 911 and emergency response services saw volunteers across 25 countries and 49 states resulting in 2,500 hours of work completed that day. The results included 384 public service answering points reviewed, 17 case studies, 16 data analysis projects, and 9 prototype projects. | + | Many companies including Code for America release projects on this day every year and have thousands of volunteers sign up. In 2021, Code for America’s project on improving 911 and emergency response services saw volunteers across 25 countries and 49 states resulting in 2,500 hours of work completed that day. The results included 384 public service answering points reviewed, 17 case studies, 16 data analysis projects, and 9 prototype projects.<ref>"National Day Of Civic Hacking - September 18". National Today, 2022, https://nationaltoday.com/national-civic-day-hacking/.</ref> |
==The Civilians of Civic Tech== | ==The Civilians of Civic Tech== | ||
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===Code for America=== | ===Code for America=== | ||
| − | + | One of the most famous players, Code for America, has built a civic tech community that organizes people into teams that tackle local government projects. Local government, often lacking funding and tech talent, has been able to utilize Code for America in projects including revamping California’s food stamp application.<ref>"Code For America". Code For America, 2022, https://codeforamerica.org.</ref> | |
===Ad Hoc=== | ===Ad Hoc=== | ||
| − | After its initial launch in October 2013, HealthCare.gov, a health insurance exchange website operated under the Affordable Care Act, encountered many technical issues. Only 1% of interested people were able to enroll in the site during its first week causing major public disapproval. AdHoc, a software design and engineering agency has established itself as one of the most successful civic tech firms after rescuing the website. | + | After its initial launch in October 2013, HealthCare.gov, a health insurance exchange website operated under the Affordable Care Act, encountered many technical issues. Only 1% of interested people were able to enroll in the site during its first week causing major public disapproval. AdHoc, a software design and engineering agency has established itself as one of the most successful civic tech firms after rescuing the website.<ref>Ad Hoc, 2022, https://adhocteam.us.</ref> |
===coUrbanize=== | ===coUrbanize=== | ||
| − | CoUrbanize is an online community engagement platform connecting municipality residents with real estate developers. Given consequences of historical redlining and new trends of gentrification, new developments are often controversial among residents. Through CoUrbanize, project information becomes easy to share and comment on with features such as a blog and message board. | + | CoUrbanize is an online community engagement platform connecting municipality residents with real estate developers. Given consequences of historical redlining and new trends of gentrification, new developments are often controversial among residents. Through CoUrbanize, project information becomes easy to share and comment on with features such as a blog and message board. <ref>"Courbanize | Community Engagement For Development And Planning". Courbanize, 2022, https://www.courbanize.com.</ref> |
===OpenGov=== | ===OpenGov=== | ||
| − | Providing cloud software built for government budgeting, operational performance, and civic engagement, OpenGov aims to power more effective and accountable government. Currently, 48 states and over 2,000 public agencies have leveraged their tools to improve performance and operations. | + | Providing cloud software built for government budgeting, operational performance, and civic engagement, OpenGov aims to power more effective and accountable government. Currently, 48 states and over 2,000 public agencies have leveraged their tools to improve performance and operations.<ref>"Home - Opengov". Opengov, 2022, https://opengov.com.</ref> |
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Revision as of 23:25, 22 February 2022
Civic technology (“civic tech”) describes a government’s information and communication systems built by civilians including individuals, volunteers, corporations, and non-governmental organizations. These government systems range widely from public benefits registration interfaces to voting software. Civic tech is meant to enable greater participation in government from the public while simultaneously assisting the government in developing new technology beneficial for its citizens.[1]
Contents
Term Derivation
Civic tech is a form of e-government, or information and communication technologies used to provide public services. Civic tech falls under the government-to-citizen category of e-government. Projects under the government-to-citizen category include open government initiatives such as voting, data access and transparency, and mapping and community action initiatives such as peer-to-peer sharing, civic crowdfunding, and neighborhood forums.
Broadly, civic tech is a unifier that aims to bring people together who may not otherwise interact. Uniquely, civic tech applies skills and approaches seen in modern design and traditional tech companies to government and community building.[2]
National Day of Civic Hacking
The National Day of Civic Hacking occurs every year on September 18th. Created by the Code for America Brigades, the US Small Business Administration, Secondmuse, and various other federal agencies, the nationwide day challenges people to volunteer and carry out a number of civic tech challenges.
Many companies including Code for America release projects on this day every year and have thousands of volunteers sign up. In 2021, Code for America’s project on improving 911 and emergency response services saw volunteers across 25 countries and 49 states resulting in 2,500 hours of work completed that day. The results included 384 public service answering points reviewed, 17 case studies, 16 data analysis projects, and 9 prototype projects.[3]
The Civilians of Civic Tech
While anyone can technically participate in civic tech as projects are usually public in nature, a few key players have made significant strides in the space.
Code for America
One of the most famous players, Code for America, has built a civic tech community that organizes people into teams that tackle local government projects. Local government, often lacking funding and tech talent, has been able to utilize Code for America in projects including revamping California’s food stamp application.[4]
Ad Hoc
After its initial launch in October 2013, HealthCare.gov, a health insurance exchange website operated under the Affordable Care Act, encountered many technical issues. Only 1% of interested people were able to enroll in the site during its first week causing major public disapproval. AdHoc, a software design and engineering agency has established itself as one of the most successful civic tech firms after rescuing the website.[5]
coUrbanize
CoUrbanize is an online community engagement platform connecting municipality residents with real estate developers. Given consequences of historical redlining and new trends of gentrification, new developments are often controversial among residents. Through CoUrbanize, project information becomes easy to share and comment on with features such as a blog and message board. [6]
OpenGov
Providing cloud software built for government budgeting, operational performance, and civic engagement, OpenGov aims to power more effective and accountable government. Currently, 48 states and over 2,000 public agencies have leveraged their tools to improve performance and operations.[7]- ↑ Wood, Colin. "What Is Civic Tech?". Govtech, 2022, https://www.govtech.com/civic/what-is-civic-tech.html.
- ↑ Stephens, John. "Civic Technology: Open Data And Citizen Volunteers As A Resource For NC Local Governments". Sog.Unc.Edu, 2022, https://www.sog.unc.edu/resources/microsites/civictech.
- ↑ "National Day Of Civic Hacking - September 18". National Today, 2022, https://nationaltoday.com/national-civic-day-hacking/.
- ↑ "Code For America". Code For America, 2022, https://codeforamerica.org.
- ↑ Ad Hoc, 2022, https://adhocteam.us.
- ↑ "Courbanize | Community Engagement For Development And Planning". Courbanize, 2022, https://www.courbanize.com.
- ↑ "Home - Opengov". Opengov, 2022, https://opengov.com.
