Democratic institutions are under strain—but their obligations to the public have not changed. Drawing from cross-administration reflections and lived experience, this piece outlines what public-facing institutions owe the people they serve: care, continuity, access, and accountability—especially in moments when trust is most fragile.

Institutional transparency is not just about releasing information. It is about designing systems of openness that allow people to understand how decisions are made, how power is exercised, and how public value is created. This Civic Glossary entry explores what transparency really means in government and nonprofit institutions—and why it is foundational to public trust.

Agile practices can support meaningful public outcomes—when government teams lead with clarity. Drawing from recent client engagements, this post explores how public teams can rebalance vendor relationships, strengthen collaboration, and build processes that reflect their mission, values, and responsibilities to the public.

When crisis becomes the operating condition, design reveals what our public systems truly value. This essay reflects on how public-centered design can support prevention, response, and recovery—especially for those who cannot afford failure.

Government teams care deeply about the people they serve—but unclear roles can lead to confusion, duplicated effort, and missed opportunities. This post explores how product and design teams can clarify responsibility for user needs, strengthen collaboration, and build practices rooted in shared stewardship.

A growing number of essential public services are now digital-first—but not everyone has reliable devices, broadband, or safe places to connect. Digital inclusion requires more than better interfaces; it means building systems that work across low-bandwidth environments, rural communities, older populations, and people experiencing housing instability. Public service must expand access, not simply shift who is included.

Public-centered design is the discipline of shaping public services, policies, and operations around the needs and lived experiences of the people they affect—while strengthening trust, equity, and long-term public value. This glossary entry defines the term, explains its benefits, and outlines how organizations can apply it to improve outcomes for communities and public servants alike.

Emerging creatives have an essential role to play in shaping public systems. Public Servants’ Spring 2026 creative and civic practice internship is a paid, part-time, remote contract role offering space for early-career creatives to contribute to real projects in design, storytelling, and public-interest work. Applications are now open.

Post-election periods can create pressure to act fast, but urgency alone rarely leads to better outcomes. What public-sector teams need most in this moment is alignment—clarity on priorities, roles, workflows, and the public experience they aim to protect. This piece explores how governments can move from reaction to coordinated, people-centered action in the early months after an election.