The Climate Change Commission earned the Thematic Award for Climate and Environment for its commitment to increasing the accessibility of climate finance data at the Open Government Challenge Awards 2025. The Project IMPACT was developed in collaboration with civil society and development sector partners, emphasizing the highly consultative and citizen-centered nature of this commitment.
VITORIA-GASTEIZ, Spain — The Philippines continues to gain ground as a global leader in transparent and participatory climate governance after the Climate Change Commission’s (CCC) Project IMPACT won the top award under the Climate and Environment theme at the 2025 Open Gov Challenge during the Open Government Partnership (OGP) Global Summit.
The award recognizes the CCC’s Inclusive Monitoring and Participation for Accountability in Climate Transformation (IMPACT) initiative — an innovative, citizen-centered project designed to enhance transparency, accountability, and openness in climate finance. Out of 20 global climate commitments, the Philippines’ entry stood out for its use of technology and civic participation to track and improve the flow of climate-related funds.
A model for participatory climate action
Developed in partnership with the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities (ICSC), Project IMPACT empowers citizens to monitor climate programs through geo-tagged data visualization and feedback tools accessible both online and offline. This ensures inclusivity and transparency, even in areas with limited connectivity.
By allowing citizens to report issues, verify climate-related spending, and receive official government responses, the platform closes the feedback loop — a hallmark of open governance that transforms accountability into shared responsibility.
“Accessible climate finance data builds trust and strengthens accountability among government, civil society, and the public,” said CCC Vice Chairperson and Executive Director Robert E.A. Borje. “We are empowering citizens to shape and track climate action — ensuring that every peso for climate response is traceable, effective, and responsive to community needs.”
Participated in a consultation with the United Nations for the development of Project IMPACT, a highly consultative and citizen-centered initiative that reinforces the country’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and climate action.
Building on the climate expenditure tagging system
The project builds upon the Climate Change Expenditure Tagging (CCET) system institutionalized under Joint Memorandum Circular No. 2015-01 by the CCC, DBM, and Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG). Project IMPACT seeks to further strengthen the CCET framework through participatory design and real-time transparency tools, aligning climate financing with measurable local impacts.
Pilot implementation is set for 2026 to 2028 in four provinces identified as highly vulnerable under the National Adaptation Plan.
Reinforcing Open Government under EO 31
This recognition underscores the Philippines’ leadership in embedding open governance into national policy — a commitment reinforced by Executive Order No. 31, signed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in June 2023, institutionalizing the Philippine Open Government Partnership (PH-OGP) as a multi-stakeholder platform. The EO mandates that transparency, accountability, and citizen participation be integrated across all levels of government decision-making.
“The OGP recognition is not just an award — it is a social contract,” the CCC said in a statement. “It drives us to strengthen climate finance systems beyond data tagging, through active engagement of citizens and civil society in evaluating climate programs and ensuring timely, responsive action.”
Global momentum for Open Climate Governance
Launched in 2023, the Open Gov Challenge invites governments worldwide to take bold, citizen-driven actions across 10 reform areas, including climate and environment. This year’s competition received 163 commitments, highlighting the growing momentum for transparent, participatory governance worldwide.
By winning the 2025 Climate and Environment Thematic Award, the Philippines joins a select group of nations recognized for redefining how governments and citizens collaborate in addressing climate challenges. The award solidifies the country’s position as a pioneer in open, data-driven, and community-led climate governance — ensuring that transparency and trust remain at the heart of the nation’s climate agenda.