Inventory of Participatory and Democratic Innovation Practices (FR0110)
Overview
At-a-Glance
Action Plan: France Action Plan 2023-2025 (December)
Action Plan Cycle: 2023
Status:
Institutions
Lead Institution: • Ministry for Democratic Renewal • Interministerial Directorate of Public Transformation
Support Institution(s): Civil society organisations participating in the open multistakeholder forum (Démocratie Ouverte, Debatlab, etc.)
Policy Areas
Democratizing Decision-Making, Mainstreaming Participation, Public ParticipationIRM Review
IRM Report: Pending IRM Review
Early Results: Pending IRM Review
Design i
Verifiable: Pending IRM Review
Relevant to OGP Values: Pending IRM Review
Ambition (see definition): Pending IRM Review
Implementation i
Completion: Pending IRM Review
Description
What is the issue that the commitment will address?
In France and elsewhere, representative democracy is facing growing mistrust and questions as to whether it legitimately reflects society’s aspirations in its decisions. To respond to this challenge, participatory democracy initiatives have grown in number in recent years, seeking to increase citizen input in the government decision-making process. Yet participatory democracy is still criticised for seemingly not being representative of some groups and for its potential to be used as a political outlet. There are also concerns about the complexity of demonstrating its impact on decision-making and monitoring participatory initiatives. Such criticism may undermine the credibility of these initiatives.
What is the commitment?
Title: Draw up an inventory of participatory and democratic innovation practices to encourage all ministries to adopt and implement these practices on a large scale
How will the commitment contribute to solving the public problem?
This commitment therefore aims to draw up an inventory of participatory and democratic innovation methods and practices carried out in every government department. This will be the first time a summary is prepared of initiatives and best practice in democratic renewal. The goal is to highlight all the initiatives implemented and capitalise on these initiatives to promote them more broadly and better identify actions that are inspiring, but also problems and pitfalls.
Why is this commitment relevant to OGP values?
Revitalising our democracy is about striking a balance between different forms of democracy which have to co-exist in harmony: representative democracy, on the one hand, and participatory and deliberative democracy on the other. We need to build on their complementary strengths to produce a “win-win” outcome with each side of the equation coming out stronger. We need to be able to stand for the idea of a “continuous democracy” in the eyes of our citizens so they can continue to participate in shaping public policy outside of elections.
What are the expected impacts?
The inventory will be drafted with all government departments and circulated widely as a reference framework for government actors.
Milestones
• Q1 2024: Establish a working group to monitor the implementation of this commitment
• By end-2024: Based on the inventory, draft a bold report for public release