Participatory Decision-Making in Municipalities (MK0191)

Brief Description of the Commitment

The lack of unified mechanisms and tools for citizen participation at local level is a longstanding problem that we face as citizens, so in a municipality you can see all the tools through which you can communicate with the municipality and submit an initiative, and you have such municipalities where you cannot find even basic information about the activities of the municipality and the inclusion of citizens in decision-making processes. For example, you have municipalities that publicly record and broadcast the sessions of the Council, and you have those where there is no information about when the session was held or what was discussed, etc. This is a commitment that was part of the last action plan, but nothing was done regarding it, and it is extremely necessary for the citizens in municipalities.

Problem Definition

1. What problem does the commitment aim to address?

Based on the research by Rural Coalition, none out of 350 respondents, women, and young people from only two regions - Northeastern and Poloshki, participated in budget forums, they do not know the tools and mechanisms that are available to them. The municipalities are not open and transparent in the processes, so most of the processes that require involvement of citizens are scheduled from today to tomorrow, information is not disseminated, especially in rural areas that do not use many means for electronic communication and information. Ignorance of decision-making processes. Dysfunction of local communities, etc. Only 12% of the youth in municipalities participated in public sessions of the Municipality Council, and only 36% have knowledge of the tools for inclusion in the decision-making processes at local level. Additionally, out of 300 women from rural areas, not a single one has been to a local community meeting, nor have they ever received an invitation to hold a budget forum. Also, out of 400 citizens from all 8 planning regions, even 2/3 do not know nor do they have any information on how to get involved in the processes of providing information at local level. At the same time, we are also affected by digitization processes, so as mentioned above, there are municipalities with which it is possible to communicate electronically on as many grounds as possible, electronic documents are issued, etc., but there are also such municipalities where you can't even get the basic information about the work of the municipality from their web- page, let alone get involved in the decision-making processes. On the other hand, the international community is working in the field of digitization with some of the municipalities where progress is being noted, but there is a failure again by those municipalities that are not involved in such projects. Also, not all citizens, even municipalities, do not know what should be put at public consultation’s agendas, so the implementation of this commitment will be in that direction, i.e. identifying all processes that require mandatory consultation, as well as selection of a tool or mechanism that would be suitable for use by citizens, easily applicable and understandable so that it can be used thereat.

2. What are the causes of the problem?

In the explanation of the problem, the reasons for the problem have already been explained to a large extent, namely the insufficient participation of the public, i.e. the citizens in the decision-making processes in the municipalities. At the same time, a coordinated and harmonized approach is needed using the same tools in each of the municipalities, as well as all citizens, would be equal in their right to obtain information for public consultations and the inclusion of citizens in decision-making processes. Transparency and accountability of the municipalities is also a question mark in itself, and this is largely due to the fact that the municipalities do not have a positive practice of real inclusion of citizens in decision-making processes, as well as timely and regular information about the work of the municipality. This directly contributes to reducing the trust that citizens have in local institutions, which does not favor any of the stakeholders in the process.

Commitment Description

1. What has been done so far to solve the problem?

Improving the consultations with citizens is done continuously, so forums have already been introduced in the communities, mandatory public consultations for certain decisions made by the municipalities, the processes for creating e-municipalities with the support of the international community, but as we mentioned, these solutions in a large part are also partial or are implemented only in the territory of certain municipalities. This is precisely why unification of the mechanisms and tools used for consultation with citizens in municipalities is necessary, as well as determination of documents and public decisions, for which consultation with citizens is mandatory.

2. What solution are you proposing?

The implementation of these activities will enable definition of a methodology through which the documents will be identified, as well as the methods and tools for public consultations with the citizens in the municipalities, and in such a way that during these two years we will prepare for digitization process of local consultations with citizens in a way and with tools that will be most suitable for them. Apart from the fact that the documents for public consultations will be available electronically, of course they will be open to comments and improvement through the submission of written submissions and proposals for those who have less knowledge of digital tools, and at the same time in cooperation with the MLS, the local NGOs, such as the Rural Coalition, which has 58 member associations from all over the country, but also similar ones, will work in the field of information provision about the tools and mechanisms available to citizens for consultation. It is important to determine the methodology, the method, the criteria on the basis of which all the documents that require public consultation will be determined and, in such manner, give the citizens opportunity to participate in the creation of local policies and decision-making which are of public interest. The decision that will be adopted, that is, the methodology and the public consultations for the documents of public interest for which this will be determined, after consultations with the MLS, will be mandatory for all municipalities thereat.

3. What results do we want to achieve by implementing this commitment?

Increasing transparency and accountability in local self-government, as well as proactive inclusion of citizens in local decision-making processes are the main results that will be achieved with the implementation of this commitment. At the same time, the capacities of the municipalities will be improved for their prepared participation in the processes of digitization and introduction of the concept of e-municipalities. On the other hand, the public will have easier access to get involved in decision-making related to improving the quality of life in the local community through digitization and the use of ICT tools.

Commitment Analysis

1. How will the commitment promote transparency?

The commitment will contribute to increased transparency, but also to the improvement of citizens' access to information and activities of the municipalities, especially for documents and decisions for which consultation with citizens is mandatory.

2. How will commitment help foster accountability?

This kind of commitment will open up the work processes and the manner of making decisions in municipalities, and at the same time it will increase the possibilities for monitoring the implemented activities by the citizens. Through access to information as well as the rise of opportunities for citizens to participate in decisionmaking processes, the implementation of decisions and regulations at local level will be improved, and the processes of monitoring and evaluation of the work of the local self-government will increase thereat.

3. How will commitment improve citizen participation in defining, implementing, and monitoring solutions?

Through the creation of a methodology for the identification of mandatory documents for consultation, as well as the selection of mechanisms for e-consultations that will be most appropriate and accessible for citizens, it will directly contribute to increasing the transparency of the municipalities, but also openness to cooperation, and with that citizens will have the opportunity to be involved in decision making processes, and further in their implementation and monitoring.

Commitment Planning (Milestones | Expected Outputs | Expected Completion Date)

2.5.1 Prerequisites created for the introduction of a unified system of public consultations at local level with a focus on digitization and econsultations | Defined methodology for determining and classifying documents that are mandatory for public consultations in local self-government | June 2025

2.5.2 Improvement of tools for public consultations and econsultations with citizens | Established tools and mechanisms for public consultations and e-consultations with citizens that will be applicable for every municipality | January 2026