Weekly Briefing: Government innovation trailblazers

Top Stories

Government agencies often struggle to design with citizens in mind. But more than ever, people expect public services to reflect their needs. A new way forward is designing digital services around “life events” — pivotal moments, like starting school, moving houses or death. (Alan Thorogood, University of New South Wales)

The UK used to lead the world in government innovation. Previous prime ministers introduced strategy units, social impact bonds and behavioural insights — but since 2015, experimentation has stalled. From Estonia to Taiwan and Canada, these are the new public innovation trailblazers. (Geoff Mulgan, Chief Executive of Nesta)

The Amazon is burning. Here’s how to protect it. Often described as the “lungs of the earth”, the Amazon serves as a crucial buffer for climate change by absorbing and storing carbon in its forests. To protect it, we must give indigenous groups greater oversight and create networks to combat deforestation. (Apolitical)

Nature can help us tackle critical challenges, from climate change to poverty. In this short video, Nathalie Seddon, Oxford University professor and director at the Nature-Based Solutions Initiative, explains how biodiversity can boost wellbeing, sustainable development, global health and more. (Apolitical)

Upcoming

Learn how to be agile in government. In a free online workshop, you’ll discover what agile is and why it’s important, learn ways to bring its principles into your everyday work and find out how to convince your colleagues to adopt an agile mindset. Join us on October 1st at 3 pm BST. (Apolitical)

Technology Frontiers

Robots are changing how Singapore’s public servants work. Over the past year, agencies have introduced robotic software designed to automate repetitive, tedious tasks — like sending mass emails, collating reports and analysing data — so humans can focus on more complex work. (GovInsider)

Anchorage, Alaska is letting people access food aid via text. They can now claim federal assistance — a notoriously bureaucratic process — by texting ‘SNAP’ to the Food Bank of Alaska’s chatbot. Citizens can use the bot to start a new application, renew their benefits, check their case status and more. (Fast Company)

Denmark treats Facebook and Amazon like global superpowers. Denmark was the first country to create a diplomatic post to represent its interests to tech giants. Its tech ambassador, Casper Klynge, wants governments to set boundaries for Silicon Valley — not the other way around. (The New York Times)

Australia is using an app to protect koalas. Citizens are encouraged to use the I Spy Koala app to report sightings, which helps officials track vulnerable populations. It’s part of a multi-million dollar effort to save koalas, whose numbers have fallen by a quarter in the past 20 years. (Voa News)

Evolving Cities

Cities are starting to include sex work in their urban policy. If sex work is going to happen, many are reasoning, it should happen safely. From covered stalls for prostitution in Cologne to community centres for sex workers in New Zealand, here’s how cities are approaching “sexual infrastructure”. (The Guardian)

Education and Changing Jobs

California's Senate passed a bill to limit the gig economy. If approved by the state Assembly, it would drastically change how companies like Uber operate by making it difficult for them to classify workers as independent contractors, rather than employees. (The Verge)

And finally

Moscow held a parade of garbage trucks, city buses and other municipal vehicles. The city transport parade starkly contrasted Russia’s military parades, which showcase tanks and missile launchers, and recent pro-democracy protests, inviting ridicule online. (Quartz)

(Picture credit: Unsplash)