2025-03-10 Governace Committee Meeting

To avoid long meeting where the current status of each report is read out, we ask all participants to read the links below before the meeting, add in any questions they may have and then ask them in the meeting. This will focus the meeting upon the questions, decisions and actions needed for greatest impact.

This page describes the GovStack Governance Committee meeting notes. We use this meeting page to both run the meeting and keep notes, actions and decisions.

Participants

ITU: @Eskandar, Hani @Marushka Chocobar

GIZ: @Nora Hauptmann @Nico Lueck @Andrea Donath @Puja Raghavan

EE: @Marika Popp @Kristo Vaher

DIAL:

0. Celebrate

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1. GovStack Roadmap

2. Priority Discussions

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GC Charter @Nico Lueck		The charter should state that only meeting notes are public, while meetings remain private, and clarify the meaning of “open meetings” to avoid misinterpretation. Governance Committee discussions should follow the Chatham House Rule, with membership limited to founding partners and expert invitations by consensus. External participation must be strategic, justified, and approved unanimously to maintain governance efficiency.
Next Steps Legal Entity @Marika Popp @Eskandar, Hani @Andrea Donath		The entity needs a stable financial plan to avoid reliance on uncertain revenue. A multi-year funding strategy should secure long-term commitments from key partners. A donor-based model is the most viable, with initial contributions from founding members ensuring a solid foundation. Clear revenue guidelines must maintain neutrality and transparency, avoiding licensing or certification fees as primary sources. Revenue should come from capacity-building programs and project-based funding. Strong governance will prevent conflicts of interest, while a tiered membership model can structure contributions and ensure long-term independence.
ITU Update on Collaboration with WHO on standardization? @Eskandar, Hani		The ITU-WHO collaboration aims to standardize digital health infrastructure, focusing on electronic records, supply chains, and consent mechanisms, aligned with GovStack. A governance model with technical working groups will include the World Bank, UN agencies, and GovStack experts to ensure interoperability. Despite funding challenges, the project progresses with stakeholder engagement. Experts are invited to join working groups.
Women in GovTech Challenge @Puja Raghavan		The challenge is in its final stage, with 80 mentorship applications and 25 additional requests, with more expected. It focuses on citizen-centricity and DPI safeguards and will be promoted at the World Bank Summit. Speaker suggestions are needed, and support in spreading the word is essential.
World Bank Digital Summit @Andrea Donath		@Andrea Donath shared plans for an interactive GovStack booth at the World Bank Digital Summit, featuring promotional materials and videos to engage stakeholders. The event presents a key opportunity to connect with governments, private sector representatives, and development organizations to explore partnerships in digital public infrastructure.

Actions

@Nico Lueck @Nora Hauptmann will draft a revised version of the charter incorporating these amendments.

WHO and ITU will form working groups, refine standards, and seek funding, integrating GovStack expertise.

@Marika Popp will prepare the proposal for setting up the legal entity in Estonia for the approval of the Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia on 18 March. The Secretary General’s position will then constitute Estonia’s formal position on the terms and conditions for setting up GovStack legal entity in Estonia.

Share the Women in GovTech Challenge within networks to increase participation.

@Eskandar, Hani @Andrea Donath will explore the possibility of strategic meetings between ITU and GIZ at the World Bank Digital Summit.

Decisions

Meetings will not be public, but notes will be available, and all participants must follow the Chatham House Rule. Participation will be limited to founding partners, with third parties allowed only by unanimous invitation for specific topics and with consensus agreement. “Open meetings” will have public notes but restricted participation. These amendments will take effect upon approval.
The committee agreed that the new entity will follow a donor-based financial model, supported by initial contributions from founding members. Licensing fees will not be an acceptable revenue source; instead, funding will come from capacity-building programs, project-based funding, and tiered membership contributions. A governance framework will ensure neutrality, transparency, and financial sustainability, with clear regulations on revenue generation and project selection.

3. GovSpecs

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3. GovTest

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3. GovLearn

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3. GovExchange

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4. Communications

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5. Community Building

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6. Collaboration & Country Engagement

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8. AOB

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