PloneGov

PloneGov, the objectives

PloneGov aims to create a platform of Plone based e-Government initiatives in order to ease information, best practices and software sharing. The project involves developing software applications by and for public administrations, enabling them to benefit from greater technological independence and together build tools that are truly suited to their needs.

PloneGov, stakeholders

More than 50 public European, African, North and South American organisations take part in PloneGov. Over 10 SME’s, brought together by Zea Partners, a non-profit organisation, add their support and their experience to these organisations.

Organisations from almost 20 countries across 3 continents are already involved to differing degrees or are in the process of becoming involved.

PloneGov, the strong points

• Plone: all the applications developed within the framework of the project are based on a common technology, Plone. This tool, 100% open source, is available in 40 languages, and is internationally recognised for its stability and ease of use.
• Collaboration: With the support of SME’s, administrations develop applications that they make available to their peers, others help to identify problems and find solutions to them, and others still participate in editing and documenting, and in testing.  Everyone contributes according to the means that they have available. All assistance is welcome, and everybody benefits. With PloneGov the development of software that corresponds to a specific need is never undertaken repeatedly, thus eliminating unnecessary expense. The public administrations become more efficient, while also reducing costs.
• Accessibility: PloneGov respects standards in terms of accessibility (WAI) with the objective of aiding navigation on the Internet by persons with visual and motor deficiencies.
• Effectiveness: By developing management applications specifically adapted to the needs of public authorities, PloneGov enables their effectiveness to be considerably improved, their repetitive tasks to be automated, and public funds to be saved.
• Economy of knowledge: By offering the many companies and associations located within the territories of the associations taking part the possibility of having their own mini website, the public authorities are directly combating the gap between those who do and don’t have access to the internet, encouraging promotion and activity within local economic and association life and participating in the training of the population.
• Making the most of skills: PloneGov enables full benefit to be made of the skills and human resources which public authorities and local businesses have at their disposal. It breaks down technological dependency and gives everyone their own autonomy.

PloneGov, the applications

Around 15 applications are already in production. Here are some examples. Others are still under development.

• Out of the box Municipal internet site: an easily reproducible internet site which is suited to the needs of cities (agenda, newsletter, RSS feed, geo-location, a mini website for companies and associations, etc.)
• Meetings management for a decision-making entity: additions to and management of the running order, list of those present, drawing up minutes, follow-up of decisions taken, generation of documents in pdf format, etc.
• On-line services: an ordering module for official documents, inter-connectable to an on-line payment system and, in Belgium, with another eID secured connection.

• …

How to join the PloneGov community?

All the applications developed by PloneGov are made available free of charge on the website www.plonegov.org. Those public authorities wishing to take part in the project are invited to contact its coordinators. They can deploy by themselves the PloneGov applications or contact a SME partner for services, coaching or training, or even if they need specific development.

Zea role

Zea brings its knowledge of open source sector, from project management to communities working and industries. These experienced skills pushed the rapid growing up of the project. Zea role is essential in dissemination and internationalization. Thanks to its work, PloneGov was three times awarded.

Paris, Grand Prix du Jury, Lutèce d'Or 2007		Brussels, Good Practice label, e-Practice 2007
	Lisbon, Finalist, European e-Government Awards 2007