ThirdsInitiative

ThirdsInitiative is an international collaborative framework designed to promote and enact three linked principles in public service development: accessibility, affordability, and adaptability. It operates as a network that brings together governments, universities, nonprofits, and industry partners to coordinate research, policy development, and practical pilots across sectors such as education, health, and digital services.

Formed in 2018 by a coalition of think tanks and civic organizations, ThirdsInitiative emerged from a shared concern that advances in technology and policy were uneven across regions. The initiative emphasizes cross-sector learning, open data, and scalable solutions that can be adapted to local contexts while maintaining core standards.

Governance is provided by a Steering Council elected from member institutions, with permanent secretariat support. Four Working Groups oversee activities: Research, Policy, Implementation, and Evaluation. Membership is open to institutions that commit to the framework's three pillars; funding comes from grants, philanthropic support, and partner contributions.

Core activities include comparative research projects, pilot programs, the development of common metrics, and the publication of policy briefs and case studies. A central data portal facilitates sharing results and benchmarks. An annual conference and regional workshops promote collaboration and knowledge transfer.

Reception has been mixed. Proponents argue that the framework helps reduce disparities and increases scalability. Critics caution about potential governance complexity and the influence of funders. Proponents respond with transparent governance practices and ongoing independent evaluations.