”The eParticipation environment is a set of web tools ranging from ”Like”-activism to making legislative initiatives”

The Finnish e-participation environment

Project brief – in English

National e-participation environment

• Enhances and enables dialog and interaction between citizens, politicians and public servants and improves e-participation possibilities – at a local and national level

• Creates new web-based tools and practices, into a ”toolbox” that is easy to take into use – by citizens, NGO’s, government agencies and municipalities

In practice: tools for, e.g.

• Planning of participatory actions• Deliberative discussions• Several kinds of online consultation

• in e.g., drafting of laws

• Questionnaires, polls, statements • Citizens’ initiatives (national & local level)• Monitoring the work of representatives (i.e,

think ”Theyworkforus.co.uk”

Execution

• The program runs 2010-2013, led by Ministry of Justice• Part of larger national SADe eServices and eAdministration

acceleration program run by Ministry of Finance• Partners include municipalities, ministries, Parliament

• Iterative approach – first official releases in public use early 2012, with pilots starting during 2011

Engagement with citizens

• Involvement of Citizens, activists, NGO’s etc. a key success factor – during planning, building, testing, rollout…

• Long-term goal: an ecosystem of services – with commercial and non-profit add-on services

Engagement with citizens, cont’d

Some our transformation leaders from the citizen jury

Key benefits• For citizens and NGO’s, e.g,

– Smooth participation in current projects– Active doing, not just being informed – Advanced tools for web discussions, real-time online collaboration,

networking, etc.– Tools for online drafting and submission of formal comments/statements– Note: NGO’s and citizens can also be draftsmen

• For public servants and agencies– Harmonized processes – increased service level, productivity, impact– Less overlapping information systems & personnel dependency– More transparency in public sector projects– Better decicions, more satisfied stakeholders– Better reach in inclusion activities

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Contacts for the program Mikko Levämäki, program managerOili Salminen, project managerTeemu Ropponen, project managerLaura Ahokas, web designerFirstname.lastname@om.fi

Blog: www.osallistumisymparisto.fiFB: www.facebook.com/groups/osallistumisymparisto/ FB: www.facebook.com/Osallistumisymparistohanke

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The Finnish e-participation environment

Additional slides

But we are online already, right? Yes, but…

Services are ”fragmented”.They’re known quite poorly.Usage and inclusion activities range.

…int’l comparisons rank us low.

1. Etelä-Korea (2.)2. Australia (5.)3. Espanja4. Uusi-Seelanti (6.)4. Iso-Britannia6. Japani (12.)6. USA (1.)8. Kanada (11.)9. Viro (8.)9. Singapore (10.)10. Bahrain

12. Malesia13. Tanska (3.)14. Saksa15. Ranska (4.)15. Alankomaat17. Belgia18. Kazakstan19. Liettua20. Slovenia21. Itävalta21. Norja

23. Kypros23. Ruotsi (9.)25. Kroatia26. Kolumbia26. Irlanti28. Kirgisia28. Mongolia30. Suomi (45.)30. Israel32. Kiina32. Meksiko (7.)… 157. Vanuatu

E-participation index (YK 2010, 2008)

Others are ahead - Iceland constitution renewal online

Our gov’t support to e-democracy?

Feb 4 , 2010 (previous) government ’decision”Finland to be among the top 10 counties in internationale-democracy benchmarks”

Special groups

Companies

Media

Citizens

NGO’s

Public servants

ResearchersProblems

Knowledge

Solutions

DecisionsPoliticians

Is e-democracy/Gov 2.0 hype?

Model: Gartner

Note:In short term, effects of technology tend to be overrated – but on the long run, the effects are underrated.,

Oh no, more services to this bunch?

17Greg Verdino: http://gregverdino.typepad.com/greg_verdinos_blog/2007/07/social-media-ho.html