European eParticipation Summary ReportThe European eParticipation study is designed to support the initiatives of the European Commission and the European Parliament in the area of eParticipation. Its purpose is to provide a synoptic and coherent view of where Europe currently stands regarding eParticipation. In addition, the study supports dialogue between key actors and stakeholders, particularly through workshops, consultations and good practice exchange. The study focuses mainly on the European level but has also drawn upon, and has relevance for, other levels (national, regional and local) as well as other contexts, for example the civil (third) and private sectors where eParticipation tools and techniques are deployed.The Danish Technological InstituteTDTI_287d09e2-2ccf-11df-94a5-fe537a64ea2aJeremy MillardMorten Meyerhoff NielsenRichard WarrenLeeds UniversityLU_287d15f4-2ccf-11df-94a5-fe537a64ea2aSimon SmithAnn MacintoshUniversity of MacedoniaUM_287d1b1c-2ccf-11df-94a5-fe537a64ea2aKonstantinos TarabanisEfthimios TambourisEleni PanopoulouDalakiouridou EfpraxiaKonstantinos ParisopoulosGovernance will become more participative, engaging and democratic in the 21st Century_287d1e3c-2ccf-11df-94a5-fe537a64ea2aTo support the initiatives of the European Commission and the European Parliament in the area of eParticipation._287d1f0e-2ccf-11df-94a5-fe537a64ea2aeParticipation Policy FrameworkStrengthen the overall European policy context for eParticipation, including its global role.AOpen EngagementMainstream eParticipation across Europe as part of a coordinated “open engagement policy”_287d2030-2ccf-11df-94a5-fe537a64ea2a1Europe needs a coordinated open engagement policy incorporating eParticipation across all institutions which puts the interests of citizens and other legitimate interest groups at the centre, and provides clear simple structures and incentives to openly engage as many as possible in developing the European project. Whereas (e)participation in its narrow definition is an activity, engagement also implies a wider set of attitudes and relationships between government and citizens resting ultimately on citizen ownership, partnership, inclusion and empowerment together with the institutional arrangements, cultures and mindsets which support this. Put the interests of citizens first in engagement and participation policies and embed eParticipation into these. Take one step back and clarify and agree the overall aims and impacts expected. For example, the aim to shift the balance of power and responsibility between institutions, organised groups and citizens in a measured manner in line with the five principles of the 2001 European Governance White Paper: openness, participation, accountability, effectiveness and coherence. Link to and build on relevant provisions in the Lisbon Treaty, specifically on democratic equality, participative democracy and representative democracy. Need clear, simple structures and specify the roles, competencies and expectations of stakeholders. Requires financial commitment as participation and engagement are just as important as services or other functions. This will help to embed the European values articulated in the 2001 Governance White Paper and the Lisbon Treaty. Participation and engagement can indeed be said to be the necessary “services” for 21st Century Europe. Establish a European Centre of Excellence for eParticipation and eEngagement, perhaps as a hub of existing networks.Policy ArchitectureEmbed eParticipation and eEngagement into Europe’s overarching policy architecture_287d20f8-2ccf-11df-94a5-fe537a64ea2a2eParticipation and eEngagement, in addition to being coordinated between different institutions, also need to be firmly embedded into Europe‟s wider policy architecture. eParticipation and eEngagement should become prominent in the successors to Lisbon 2000 and i2010 as well as the i2010 eGovernment Action Plan. They must be integrally woven into and support other major European policies, such as democracy, social inclusion, cohesion, sustainability, community, economic development, plural society, citizenship, wellbeing, global relations, human rights, rule of law and legislation, separation of powers, etc. Work closely with the Council of Europe on the “Recommendations for Electronic Democracy” (2009)Influence and LearningUse Europe’s eParticipation approach to influence and learn from other global actors_287d21c0-2ccf-11df-94a5-fe537a64ea2a3Europe needs to strengthen and exploit its potential global leadership role in eParticipation both to influence and learn from other global actors. Linking to global values such as human rights, democracy, rule of law, relations between states, the Millennium Development Goals, etc. For example vis à vis the OECD, UN, World Bank, as well as individual countries.eParticipation of Citizens in European Public PolicyAddress the critical issue of how to better engage citizens as individuals, communities, and in informal and interest groups in European issues and public policy, including the challenge of developing a European public space._287d2292-2ccf-11df-94a5-fe537a64ea2aBCitizensPublic SpaceLaunch a coordinated cross-institutional strategy to build an integrated European public space_287d236e-2ccf-11df-94a5-fe537a64ea2a4A long-term cross-institutional and coordinated strategy is needed across all European Union institutions to build an integrated European public space, which should be part of the recommended “open engagement policy”. Need clear objectives, target groups and envisaged outcomes Need strategy to identify, overcome or by-pass barriers, such as language, legal or regulatory obstacles, different notions of citizenship, etc. Create and safeguard a European public space composed of different enclaves/nodes in which different kinds of learning and problem-solving can thrive but with the aim of linking rather than unifying these. Build on existing initiatives like Commissioner Wallström‟s Plan D work, PreLex since 2001 (monitoring of the decision-making process between institutions), etc.Public Engagement ServiceEstablish a cross institutional coordinated “Service for Public Engagement”_287d2440-2ccf-11df-94a5-fe537a64ea2a5The overall goal is to make institutions citizen-centric, as opposed to institutional-centric, open, transparent, inclusive, accountable, and responsible directly to citizens in a coordinated and largely standardised way. The service would make it easier for citizens who mainly do not care about the EU structures or the mechanisms of engagement and participation. People do not want to understand or grapple with governance institutional structures or processes, but they often do want to be involved in discussing and solving policy issues. Provide a single access point or one-stop-shop, for most if not all citizen engagement with European institutions, including a single approach, mechanisms and tools. The „architecture‟ of participation and eParticipation seen from the perspective of Europeans needs to be made much more easy and standardised, as well as flexible and open-ended. Agree common standards, codes of conduct and behaviour, charters, quality guidelines, decision-aids, agreed structures and rules for debate, policy input, etc. Develop good practice guidelines which are easily accessible and consolidated, perhaps inspired by those developed by the Council of Europe (2009), but more concrete and operational. Appoint an internal cross-institutional “Champion” or “Office of Public Engagement” with real power and influence to help coordinate policies and strategies, share good practice and build institutional expertise and memory. Operate an effective external communication and awareness raising strategy. Build on existing initiatives such as the Commission‟s minimum standards for consultation, but go much further and seek to extend coordination between institutions.Third Party ServiceHelp establish or support an independent, neutral trusted third party service for eParticipation_287d251c-2ccf-11df-94a5-fe537a64ea2a6There are a number of functions which the European institutions cannot, or should not, perform for themselves in order to promote eParticipation and eEngagement. An independent, neutral trusted third party service, not controlled by the European institutions, should be identified or set up in cooperation with other stakeholders, for example to: Act as a „champion‟ and „watchdog‟ for the European citizen in relation to participation and engagement in European affairs. Act as a sort of „ombudsman‟ for citizens vis à vis the European institutions. Agree and publicise a citizen charter of rights and responsibilities for citizens in public engagement, building on what is there already (such as relevant provisions in the Lisbon Treaty), and open these to debate and amendment by citizens. Identify and implement frameworks for real motivation, incentives and rewards for citizen participation. Continuously monitor the potential risks of participation and inform citizens about these, as well as offer possible solutions and assistance Provide both pro-active and passive moderation, as well as help frame debates in a neutral and balanced way, as needed. Monitor and uphold citizens‟ privacy and data protection rights vis à vis the European institutions and other interests.CooperationCooperate with other public, private and civil actors to support the European public space_287d260c-2ccf-11df-94a5-fe537a64ea2a7It is not possible for the EU institutions to create a European public space in isolation. A large number of non-EU and non-government institutions are successfully exploiting eParticipation, including the private sector, many civil sector organisations like NGOs, as well as traditional media players. The EU institutions should, much more than at present, partner with and learn from these organisations where it makes sense to do so. Go to where citizens already are, including social networking sites, media, civil society organisations, including engaging younger people. Ensure linkage to local, regional and national contexts.Public Sector InformationUnleash the empowering potential of easy to use Public Sector Information_287d2706-2ccf-11df-94a5-fe537a64ea2a8Transparency and the availability of all Public Sector Information (PSI) for re-use in machine-readable format should be the standard default position. This is already happening for commercial purposes but should now also be extended to re-use by citizens and the civil sector for public policy or other legitimate purposes. Provide public access to machine-readable datasets, normally in aggregated form so that individuals cannot be identified. Respect commercial, private and citizen data and identities according to legal requirements and existing regulations. Ensure that European officials and political representatives retain a confidential space for discussion and advice at the earliest stages of pre-agenda setting thereby not undermining creative and new thinking, but ensure that discussion and advice which specifically form the basis for agenda-setting or policy proposals are made transparent.ParticipationBuild citizen participation from the bottom_287d2800-2ccf-11df-94a5-fe537a64ea2a9CitizensThis study has shown that most citizens are interested primarily in single specific issues which have a direct impact/influence on their own lives where they live, whilst some are also interested in such issues which have wider geographic relevance like climate change, migration, crime, economic conditions, etc. These interests should be used to build citizen participation in a European public space from the bottom. Show how local debates have wider European relevance and provide tools and mechanisms for hooking them together in a two-way process that both provides context for a local debate as well as concrete substance for the wider debate. Localities can, also, in this way learn from each other. Specific topic hooks should be used to extend the participation process and encourage a natural process of widening out to broader multi-issues many of which will have European resonance. Harness informal social networks, both online and off, in this process.BuzzListen to and exploit the buzz_287d290e-2ccf-11df-94a5-fe537a64ea2a10It is imperative that the European institutions listen to the everyday needs and wishes of citizens, in order to tune EU initiatives to citizen initiatives. In addition to directly engaging citizens, a powerful approach is to listen to the buzz on electronic media of all types across Europe, looking at the common issues and opinions, identifying European relevance, using material directly as evidence or test beds for developing European policy, etc. Use automatic internet crawlers, etc. Look for the relevance of the buzz to European issues and aggregate up to feed into the work of the European institutions, as well as how European issues can be used to legitimately support national and sub-national issues by disaggregating down. Limit this to open and public online activity and debate, and only listen to private debate with permission and where this is in the European public interest, thus respecting and protecting privacy and data. Build on what is already happening, such as newspaper monitoring by the European Parliament and the Commission proposal to set up a system to monitor internet debate.Citizen InputTake citizen input very seriously – at least as seriously as other inputs_287d2a1c-2ccf-11df-94a5-fe537a64ea2a11CitizensA mindset change amongst many in European institutions is needed to take citizen input very seriously – at least as seriously as other inputs. This is about thinking differently, getting citizens involved as early in the process as possible, and being prepared to assist the shift of power between institutions, organised groups, citizens, communities and other actors, and focusing on how this can be done. Recognise both that participatory democracy matters and that citizen and grass roots movements matter to participatory democracy and thus to eParticipation. Ensure the needs of the stakeholders involved are directly addressed, and enable participants to adopt different roles.Participatory, Digital and Political LiteracyActively support participatory, digital and political literacy_287d2b3e-2ccf-11df-94a5-fe537a64ea2a12Ultimately, it is probably not possible to get around the problem of „elites‟ which can dominate discourse and the political sphere given that this has always been the case historically. The introduction of ICT will not change this, although this study has shown that, if the technology is applied with care, it may in some cases mitigate the problem. It is also important to strongly support the participatory, digital and political literacy of those currently excluded. Encourage, design and support skills acquisition and education/training in participatory, digital and political literacy. Ensure ICT channels complement non-ICT channels and invest in new interfaces which are more intuitive and better embedded in everyday activities. Support the emergence of self-organising mechanisms in particular where they support key European values and goals Build upon what is already happening, such as the CIPAST training package for participation.eParticipation Across European Levels and by Organised GroupsExamine how eParticipation could support the networks of organised groups in the European decision- and policy-making process._287d2c56-2ccf-11df-94a5-fe537a64ea2aCOrganized GroupsNew Groups and InputsOpen up the European decision-making network to new groups and inputs_287d2d82-2ccf-11df-94a5-fe537a64ea2a13Significant benefits to the quality and legitimacy of policy making at European level could be achieved by opening up the European decision-making network to new groups and inputs. A (new) balance and complementarity between the internal and the external is needed, as it is clear that there is more talent, expertise and sometimes also legitimacy, outside European institutions than inside them. The design of eParticipation processes should be tailored to the functional differentiation of EU policy-making, recognising that different sectors of policy-making have different modes of governance and therefore require different types of input from citizens, interest groups, private interests, and other stakeholders. Create Europe-wide networks of interest groups, think tanks and consultancies. Consider how to integrate input from different channels and modes of participation. Ensure a diversity of learning environments connected to European policy-making Build on what is already happening, such as SINAPSE (a Commission tool for engaging experts in policy-making) and CONECCS (a database of self-appointed civil society representatives and now a register of European interests set-up by the Commission)Policy-Building NetworksMake the European policy-building network more effective, open and transparent_287d2eae-2ccf-11df-94a5-fe537a64ea2a14In order to open up the European policy-building network to new groups and inputs, it both has to be more effective in using inputs and also more open and transparent so that new groups are able to participate. create networks within the European institutions to coordinate public consultation across sectors and sustain an 'institutional memory' Connectivity in the European public sphere can be improved by example using social tagging and book-marking, and Web 2.0 tools. Focus on tools that would render existing formalised actors (so-called strong-publics) of policy networks more transparent and accessible. Improve the functioning of the networking system for example through the use of „clearing houses‟ (such as in the Aarhus Convention Clearing House for Environmental Information Management). Provide frameworks of incentives and support where appropriate. Link to and build on PreLex since 2001 (Monitoring of the decision-making process between institutions)European ParliamentariansSupport and provide incentives for European Parliamentarians to engage in eParticipation_287d2fda-2ccf-11df-94a5-fe537a64ea2a15European ParliamentariansIt is clear that parliamentarians and their work can benefit greatly from the use of eParticipation tools, but this cannot be forced or encouraged artificially. The use of ICT should be seen in the wider context of the work of parliamentarians and linked to their roles, duties and preferences, as well to other (including non-ICT) channels for participation. The benefits of eParticipation must be clearly seen and easily obtained. Frameworks of incentives and support should be designed specifically for parliamentarians. For example, top level civil servants should support parliamentarians getting involved in eParticipation outreach, online chats, etc. Encourage Parliamentarian working groups for political innovation, including the use of eParticipation and eEngagement tools between rather than only during elections.National and Sub-National LevelsStart with national or sub-national levels of eParticipation where it is appropriate_287d3278-2ccf-11df-94a5-fe537a64ea2a16The idea of a European public sphere which is unified is a chimera since national and sub-national public spheres will continue to be much more important, especially given that most of the media, stakeholder groups and the power are here. Although there is a need for more European eParticipation, this will often need to take place in a national context, which could then be built to the European level for those citizens and stakeholders interested in this. It may be more appropriate, for example, to begin with 27 separate national spheres in order to build momentum, and only then attempt to connect the outputs of discussion processes Build on existing successful examples like the European Citizens' Consultation or the “meeting of minds” initiative on neuro-science.Cross-Border Communities and GroupsIdentify and support existing cross-border communities and interest groups_287d33fe-2ccf-11df-94a5-fe537a64ea2a17Cross-Border Communities and GroupsThe European institutions should help to nurture, sustain, learn from and partner (where appropriate) these, for example by providing them with resources, tools, guidelines, and other forms of support. Growth and development need to come naturally, so the role of the European institutions is to provide opportunities, incentives and support, rather than pre-designed schemes or attempting to take them over. Identify and assist other potential initiatives which could promote debate and consultation spilling across borders, including at local level, for example by providing frameworks of incentives and support.Policy LinksFacilitate public policy links across levels and between sectors_287d355c-2ccf-11df-94a5-fe537a64ea2a18One of the tasks which EU institutions could usefully perform is to use ICT tools to help facilitate public policy links between local, regional, national and European levels in both directions, as well as links at a given level across Member States, and also links to and between different sectors across Europe, There could be a strong EU role to monitor the buzz at different levels as well as at the same level in different countries, and link them together through a service to aggregate, compare, contrast, match and disaggregate as appropriate. Identify local issues and debates which may be local but which are similar or could be useful elsewhere, as well as those which have European level relevance. Provide tools and mechanisms for hooking these issues and debates together including semantic support in terms of language, culture, legal systems, etc. Learning and cooperation between levels and across sectors should be promoted. Provide frameworks of incentives and support where appropriate.Professional CommunitiesStrengthen professional communities at European level_287d36b0-2ccf-11df-94a5-fe537a64ea2a19Professional CommunitiesNetworks of organised professional groups should be encouraged to use online debate and knowledge exchange tools at the European level (or between groups of countries) much more than they do at present. eRule or eRegulation-making should be more widely exploited in Europe, adapted to the European situation. For example by employing user-controlled wiki systems that allow everyone in the group to join the discussion and contribute. Provide frameworks of incentives and support where appropriate, as well as appropriate tools and guidelines. Again, build on what is already happening, much of which takes place through the “Your Voice in Europe” umbrella, including the Interactive Policy Making tool, the European Business Test Panels, SINAPSE and CONECCS.eParticipation Implementation and ResearchAddress the broad implementation and research needs of eParticipation, particularly in the European context._287d380e-2ccf-11df-94a5-fe537a64ea2aDIt is outwith the scope of this study to propose a detailed research agenda.Implementation and ResearchBuild a coordinated cross-institutional eParticipation implementation and research strategy_287d3962-2ccf-11df-94a5-fe537a64ea2a20A medium-term cross-institutional and coordinated strategy is needed across all European Union institutions to support eParticipation and research both for European level initiatives and how the EU can support national, sub-national and stakeholder initiatives. This should be designed to reduce duplication and to be part of the recommended “Open Engagement Policy” and within the purview of the proposed “Service for Public Engagement”. EU institutions and staff should be more directly involved in the eParticipation initiatives they sponsor. This is already being done in some countries (like the UK) where civil servants participate as advisers and experts rather than decision-takers when taking part in civil or commercial networks. Experiment with different types of research projects, for example longitudinal approach, small-scale comparative action research. Ensure at least low-level financial support is available to innovators on the periphery and is not monopolised by the major research centres. Better research is needed into the roles and impacts of different actors and user situations in eParticipation.Exceptional InitiativesScale up, roll-out and learn from exceptional initiatives_287d3ac0-2ccf-11df-94a5-fe537a64ea2a21Many exceptional initiatives with good impact which satisfy the needs of European eParticipation should be more widely rolled-out, for example locally or nationally, and including by actors other than the EU, by civil groups or by citizens themselves. Such initiatives, however, typically suffer from limited visibility and face serious funding problems. The EU should devise mechanisms for identifying and supporting such exceptional initiatives which have widespread potential, and to sustain or transfer them to new contexts. It is important to continue to focus on good practice, transferring good ideas and tools, knowledge sharing and transfer, a charter or checklist of norms and standards, etc., for example, through an upgraded ePractice.eu service or an adapted CIP with simplified submission rules, faster payments, etc., so that the administrative burden is as low as it can be consistent with upholding quality and financial probity. It is also essential to enable users to find the knowledge they need more quickly and accurately by adding an intelligent filter. Promote the visibility of eParticipation initiatives through, for example, awareness raising activities and improved communication strategies.EvaluationBuild on-going evaluation into all initiatives_287d3c28-2ccf-11df-94a5-fe537a64ea2a22Adequate evaluation of eParticipation initiatives is generally poor or nonexistent, resulting in much wasted effort and resource. Much more rigorous evaluation and cost-benefit analysis is needed built into all implementation and research initiatives as a standard component using a comparable approach, and which can lead to an identification and understanding of what works and what doesn‟t. Such a culture of evaluation and feedback must become routine, however it is important to keep it simple to understand and implement as well as keeping it relatively standard for ease of comparison. In order to exploit the full potential of ICT in participation, EU eParticipation initiatives should routinely collect data on their own processes, participants and results. Every eParticipation initiative should include a well designed and laid out evaluation scheme as part of its operation. Even more important would be using a common evaluation strategy for all EU initiatives, so that results are comparable. All project and case owners should be strongly encouraged to keep records of what happens, monitor as go along, and undertake proper evaluation.Design and LearningApply the principles of good eParticipation design within an on-going learning framework_287d3d90-2ccf-11df-94a5-fe537a64ea2a23More focus is needed on better eParticipation project design. A lot has been learned but is seldom applied, so there is too much re-learning of the same lessons and too much repetition of the same mistakes, for example: Overall processes and outcomes must be highly transparent, open and in most cases negotiable. Make it clear who is accountable for what. Ensure that eParticipation efforts and inputs are acknowledged and used. Ensure that feedback is given where appropriate. Ensure that evidence is provided on the impact of people‟s participation. Provide independent monitoring where appropriate to ensure balance as well as to minimise mis-use and inappropriate online behaviour.ChannelsDevelop multi-channel solutions_287d3f0c-2ccf-11df-94a5-fe537a64ea2a24In a context where at least 30% of Europeans will not be online for the foreseeable future, where ICT is still in its infancy as regards participation, and where ICT is unlikely ever to meet all the needs of participation (especially those related to its social and community experience, and the needs for considered long term and highly nuanced debate), multi-channel solutions are highly desirable. eParticipation rarely stands alone. Both implementation and research should focus on why and how switching between channels occurs. The role of intermediaries needs to be better understood and encouraged where appropriate. eParticipation can be and often needs to be combined with traditional channels like meetings, personal consultations, mass media, the use of the telephone and mass mailings, etc. Alternative e-channels like digital TV, kiosks, mobile phones could also be exploited especially for enhancing the participation of specific target groups.Mass CollaborationExperiment with mass-collaboration platforms, opinion markets and other new tools_287d407e-2ccf-11df-94a5-fe537a64ea2a25New ICT tools are already being deployed in the private sector, many are currently being researched, and some are being piloted in the public sphere. Many of these promise new forms and new scales of eParticipation, but also potentially new challenges and dangers. Given the importance of eParticipation to Europe‟s future, it is essential to experiment with these new tools to support European policy making and democracy, also because of the leadership and economic advantages this will bring. EU institutions should focus energy on experimenting and rolling out new Web 2.0 and web 3.0 tools such as social networking; mass collaboration platforms; bidding, opinion, decision and prediction markets; innovation jams; tools for aggregating and summarising arguments and discussion trends; tools for tracking and tracking links between decisions and policy outcomes; the use of multi-lingual and semantic interoperability; policy modelling and visualisation techniques; etc.TrustFocus research and implementation on increasing trust through data protection, identity management and security_287d41f0-2ccf-11df-94a5-fe537a64ea2a26Identity management, data privacy and security are the sine qua non of successful eParticipation, especially in the context of Web 2.0 personalised tools and social networking and the highly interactive and participative processes involved. Well functioning and ubiquitous federated and interoperable identity and/or authentication systems are vital. New approaches to trust are needed to ensure eParticipation is successful, not just for data protection but also for example, through transparency, openness, a trust which goes between all stakeholders, reducing the cultural and legal barriers, access to independent support and monitoring, etc.2010-03-10http://ec.europa.eu/information_society/activities/egovernment/library/reports/docs/european_eparticipation_summary_nov_2009.pdfOwenAmburOwen.Ambur@verizon.net