Innovators Network

SCOPE
Created in 2018, the Innovators Network is a community of practice coordinated by LabX – Centre for Public Sector Innovation, the Innovation Unit of the Agency for Technological Reform of the State, aimed at promoting innovation in the public sector.

Since its inception, participation has been voluntary and individual for all workers employed by Portuguese public‑sector entities. Through its activities, the network enables members to share contacts, knowledge and experiences resulting from projects and/or experimental approaches developed within public bodies – whether support guides, good practices, working tools or case studies showing promising or effective results.

The network aligns with Portugal’s commitment under the OECD Declaration on Public Sector Innovation, item ii) of Commitment E – Disseminating lessons and sharing good practices, to which Portugal has adhered:
“Promote the creation of networks and peer learning, so as to help public servants learn from one another and inspire each other.”

OBJECTIVES

Create a safe space for sharing practices, methods and learning in innovation.
Promote collaboration among public‑sector professionals.
Strengthen the capacity to respond to complex challenges through experimentation and innovation.
Disseminate knowledge and useful methodologies for designing and improving public policies and services.

BENEFICIARIES
Open to all public servants who are enthusiastic about innovation and its applicability within their organisations.

ENROLMENT
To join the Network, you must be employed by a Portuguese public entity and subscribe to the Charter of Principles for the Public Innovator.

NETWORK ACTIVITIES

LabXpresso: a newsletter published periodically to share articles, projects, case studies and innovation tools.

OFICINA@LabX: these are sessions, held in person or online, in an informal setting and using a variety of formats. Their purpose is to promote collaborative work, enabling participants to identify challenges and opportunities for innovation in Public Administration. They also serve to present tools, new working methods and experimentation projects, helping to demystify methodological approaches so that participants can later apply them within their organisational contexts.

Public Sector Innovation Stories: A space for sharing successful public‑sector innovation cases and good practices.

Visits – Public Sector Innovation and Experimentation Laboratories Open Doors: visits to innovation units from other public entities, particularly those within the Network of Innovation and Experimentation Laboratories. For one afternoon, up to a maximum of 2 hours and 30 minutes, they host a group of members of the Innovators Network to promote the exchange of experiences and insights into how innovation and experimentation laboratories operate within the public sector.
The event aims to strengthen collaboration among public‑sector workers and encourage the adoption of new innovative practices across public administration.