Partnership for Public Service 21st Century Innovation Program leads change in government

Every day, federal leaders are asked to solve problems, engage stakeholders and ensure processes run smoothly.

But navigating bureaucracy often leaves these leaders responsible for making difficult decisions. Learning how to develop and use innovative solutions to navigate bureaucratic hurdles helps leaders in government best serve the public.  

The Partnership for Public Service’s 21^st Century Government Innovation Program—or Gov21— equips GS-14 and GS-15 career civil servants to develop effective federal services by encouraging creative thinking and calculated risk-taking within the federal workforce. The Gov21 Program brings new and experienced change-makers from across agencies together to:

1. Understand human-centered design

Federal employees work for the American public. Gov21 helps civil servants understand and design services that address the unique needs of different communities.

2. Facilitate effective meetings

Help participants understand how designing and facilitating effective meetings can change office and agency culture.

3. Develop problem-solving skills

Introduce new practical methods for solving problems and making decisions that focus on the customer.

4. Get connected

Every Gov21 graduate becomes part of a new tribe. Developing a network of fellow change-makers in government enables participants to feel more connected to other leaders who are ready to make an impact in government.

After completing the program, graduates of Gov21 implement what they learned. These small changes collectively result in a wide-scale impact on our government. Below are a few testimonies from program alumni (with light edits for clarity):

• “Gov21 has completely changed my career trajectory. It is helping me with an existing project, introduced me to more like-minded individuals and opened up an entirely new area of work that I am so grateful to have found.”

• “Gov21 was the leadership course I didn’t know I needed until I took it.”

• “Innovation isn’t just for ‘innovators.’ I can [innovate] in small ways. There is a whole community like me, and I have great processes and tools at my disposal.”

• “It’s really refreshing that people think this way in the government. It’s been years since I’ve been taught this way.”

Federal leaders are the most critical factors to our government’s success and impact. The Gov21 Program helps these leaders develop leadership skills, stay true to their constitutional oath and effectively navigate the federal system to make a difference.

Emma Stevens is a member of the Public Service Leadership Institute, supporting federal leadership initiatives including the 21st Century Government Innovation program, Excellence in Government Fellows program, and AI Federal Leadership program