The Open Working Programme, Explained

As digital transformation reshapes the third sector, transparent and open communication has become essential. For nonprofits and funders alike, the ability to share progress, challenges, and insights openly builds trust and fosters collaboration. 

The Open Working Programme was launched in 2022 to support the sector in embedding open working practices, making digital communications a powerful tool for accountability and collective learning

About the initiative

The Open Working Programme, run by Third Sector Lab, offers a fully-funded, eight-week training course to equip third sector organisations and funders with the skills needed to implement open and transparent communication strategies.

The course offers a combination of physical and digital resources, one-on-one check-in calls, and twice-weekly workshops. These tailored support mechanisms allow participants to receive personalised guidance, share experiences with peers, and engage deeply with open working principles. 

In 2024, we’ve organised three cohorts of 20 people, and are planning a fourth.

Impact and success stories

Since it began, there have been seven cohorts of the Open Working Programme – that’s 140 people. Three of those cohorts have been this year alone. Here are some reflections from recent iterations of the programme:

November 2023 – February 2024 Cohort (Power to Change: Discovery Fund)

This cohort saw participants engage deeply with the concept of open working, and we received especially positive feedback from those for whom English is a second language. Several participants expressed how the programme boosted their confidence in writing openly, particularly when communicating about their work.

Before joining, many expressed concerns like ‘Nobody would want to read this’ or ‘How do I stay positive in tone?’ Through regular writing and feedback, they overcame these challenges and discovered the power of open communication.  Here is some of their work. 

March – April 2023 Cohort 

The March 2024 cohort thrived in relationship building and engaging in the WhatsApp group. By week four, participants experienced ‘lightbulb moments’ as they became comfortable writing as themselves, rather than on behalf of their organisations. Many participants are committed to continuing their open working practices beyond the programme.

Eg. The Haven in Stonehaven: Starkeeper Morton is CEO of the Haven in Stonehaven, a not-for-profit community wellbeing space. After participating in the Open Working Programme earlier this year, she writes consistent weeknotes to communicate with her funders, her community, and others in the sector. This has helped her to raise the organisation’s profile, and build an understanding of the lovely work they do. Read her weeknotes: The Havering.

Although the WhatsApp group was highly active, there were issues with the organisation of resources and a need for more structured deadlines. We’ve learned that more consistent prompts and a clearer commitment process at the start of the programme could increase engagement and follow-through.

Lessons learned

Iterative Improvement of Resources: 

Our ongoing user testing of the Open Working Toolkit revealed several areas for improvement. By continuously refining our resources based on participant feedback, we ensure that the tools remain relevant and user-friendly.

One thing that came up time and again was the need for organisations to develop “open working policies” which would help their staff write weeknotes with confidence. We developed a resource to help organisations build open working into their communications policies.

Flexibility and Adaptability:

Each cohort’s unique needs highlighted the importance of being agile and responsive. For example, the March cohort was enthusiastic about video, while the August cohort found video less relevant. 

We’ve learned to adjust our sessions to meet each group where they are, whether that’s with content design workshops or refining our facilitation techniques.

Supporting Open Working Beyond the Programme:

One consistent challenge has been helping participants continue open working after the programme ends.

We also realised that although some people were doing fantastic work in the open, their teams were silent. We consulted with multiple cohorts on what would help them to share open working with their colleagues, and created the Open Working Champions Toolkit.  

We’ll also explore ways to track and support participants’ open working journeys after the programme through buddy systems and ongoing community engagement on our WhatsApp community.

Future plans and sustainability

Ongoing Community and Support:

We’ve learned that participants need continuous support after the programme ends to sustain open working practices. Moving forward, we plan to implement a buddy system in future cohorts, allowing participants to pair up and provide mutual support.

Looking ahead

We’re excited to continue building on the success of The Open Working Programme and look forward to welcoming future cohorts – we’re recruiting for the next one soon!

If you’re interested in participating or learning more, please reach out to us at robyn@thirdsectorlab.co.uk