Global Government Forum research reveals the top factors that enable civil service innovation
Support from leaders, a culture of open communication and risk-taking, skills like adaptability, and access to the right tools and data are among the top factors that enable innovation to thrive in the civil service, according to new research from Global Government Forum (GGF).
As governments around the world are trying to innovate to drive efficiency, deliver better services and meet citizen expectations, GGF explored how to create the conditions for civil servants to innovate for better outcomes.
The research is based on panels, presentations and discussions at Global Government Forum’s Innovation 2025 conference held in London in March, as well as a survey of over 300 UK delegates – drawn from more than 3,500 event registrants – to capture civil servants’ views on how to set the strongest foundations to promote innovative approaches.
Read in full: Creating the conditions for innovation in government: Takeaways from Innovation 2025
From the top
The survey showed clear trends in what is considered most important for fostering innovation in government. Leadership support stands out as the most critical factor, with three-quarters viewing it as essential – much more so than any other factor. Factors following closely behind are a culture that embraces failure and learning (58%), and access to modern technology and tools (47%).
On creating an innovation culture specifically, respondents ranked open communication and idea sharing as the top factor for success, with 94% saying it is essential or very important. Close behind are willingness to take risks and empowerment of employees to make decisions, with almost half seeing these as essential.
With leadership being such an important factor, the survey asked participants about the most important actions from leaders to effectively encourage and sustain innovation. At the top of the list is allocating time and resources for innovation projects, which almost 60% view as essential. Close behind comes communicating a clear vision for innovation (51%) and encouraging experimentation and risk-taking (43%).
Skills and tech for innovation
When asked about the top skills for civil servants to develop so they can better drive innovation, adaptability to change is viewed as the most essential, with nearly 60% of respondents emphasising its importance. Collaboration and teamwork follow closely, as almost half of the participants deem these skills crucial.
Creative problem-solving (45%) and leadership/decision-making (41%) are also regarded as important.
The survey also asked civil servants about the most important factors in enabling innovation through digital tools and data.
Investment in modern digital tools and platforms and training on how to use these tools effectively were both considered essential or very important by 87% of respondents.
Ensuring data security and privacy compliance is also seen as critical, with 52% ranking it as essential. Almost half said the same about breaking down data silos between departments.
Read more: Relive all the sessions from Innovation 2025 – Global Government Forum
Civil servants are problem-solvers
Opening the Innovation 2025 conference, Cat Little, the chief operating officer for the UK civil service and permanent secretary to the Cabinet Office, set the scene around the government’s drive to make the state more innovative and efficient, and the need for active government to meet the UK’s five missions of kickstarting economic growth, building an NHS fit for the future, ensuring safer streets, breaking down barriers to opportunity, and making Britain a clean energy superpower.
Innovation is crucial to the civil service – and public servants are fundamentally “problem solvers”, she said.
“And I need everyone in the civil service to be thinking about ‘how can I fix the problems in front of us in the fastest, most effective way’?”
She highlighted the importance of having an experimental culture and the courage to try new approaches, being ‘risk-smart’ rather than ‘risk-averse’, embracing a test and learn culture and the need to break down silos and empower teams to innovate.
The need to scale
The report finds that while there is strong will to innovate in government, there are still significant challenges that hold back the full potential to harness creativity and improve public services.
It concludes: “The findings offer a clear message on moving past these, and examples showcased at the Innovation 2025 event demonstrated that this transformation is already underway in pockets. The opportunity now is to scale it.”
Download the report for the full survey results and a summary of examples showcased throughout the event.
About Sarah Wray
Sarah has over 15 years’ experience as a journalist with a specialism in the public sector and topics such as digitalisation and climate action. Sarah was formerly the editor of Cities Today and Smart Cities World, as well as a specialist video-based publication in the aerospace sector. She has also written for publications including Smart Cities Dive, Mobile Europe, Mobile World Live and Computer Weekly.
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