Online Platform for Executive Bodies and CSOs (UA0082)

Setting up a unified online platform for interaction between executive bodies and the CSOs As Ukraine sees incremental development of a civil society, the main civil society actors (NGOs, charities, creative unions, etc.) aim to represent socially important interests in their interaction with the CMU. Moreover, the CSOs and various groups of citizens are stakeholders that the executive bodies should consult with during the decision-making. At the same time, the CSOs’ and citizens’ awareness of the tools to interact with executive bodies remains suboptimal. In particular, according to Civic Engagement survey conducted by GfK survey company and commissioned by international organization Pact Inc., as few as 21% citizens are savvy on the issues related to the discussion of draft laws of civic engagement in the advisory bodies of public authorities. Expert survey of the CSO representatives “Ukrainian Civil Society 2017: Challenges and Perspectives” conducted by Ilko Kucheriv Democratic Initiatives Foundation proves that only 23.4% respondents mention civic discussions as the most efficient tools for civil society to influence on the authorities, while participation in civic councils and other advisory bodies of public authorities was only mentioned by 18.4% respondents. Some of the critical problems are that the information on possible ways of interaction between the CSOs and executive bodies is dispersed, and convenient tools for such engagement through one-stop-shop approach and based on unified approach are lacking. Actions Responsible Timeframe Partners Indicator 1. Determining requirements to an online platform for interaction between executive bodies and the CSOs SCMU State e-Government Agency December 2018 – May 2019 E-Governance for Accountability and Participation (EGAP) Program, International NGO “European Media Platform,” other CSOs and international organizations (upon their consent) ToR developed 2. Developing an online platform for interaction between executive bodies and the CSOs -//- January – May 2019 -//- Design layout and software developed; Texts, photo and video content produced, software installed at 23 the CMU Secretariat servers 3. Beta testing of an online platform for interaction between executive bodies and the CSOs SCMU State e-Government Agency June – October 2019 E-Governance for Accountability and Participation (EGAP) Program, International NGO “European Media Platform,” other CSOs and international organizations (upon their consent) Online platform put on beta testing; Online platform streamlined based on the beta testing findings and feedback from the CSOs; training to platform administrators provided 4. Putting an online platform for interaction between executive bodies and the CSOs into operation -//- November 2019 – August 2020 -//- Adequate operation of all services of an online platform and the use of an online platform by executive authorities ensured Expected results of this activity are raising awareness of the citizens and CSOs on the ways to interact with the public authorities, including public consultations, participation in consultations; accumulation of information on the OGP implementation on a unified resource.

13. Introduce an online platform for civil society-authorities interaction

Language of the commitment as it appears in the action plan: [111] Setting up a unified online platform for interaction between executive bodies and the CSOs

As Ukraine sees incremental development of a civil society, the main civil society actors (NGOs, charities, creative unions, etc.) aim to represent socially important interests in their interaction with the CMU. Moreover, the CSOs and various groups of citizens are stakeholders that the executive bodies should consult with during the decision-making.

At the same time, the CSOs’ and citizens’ awareness of the tools to interact with executive bodies remains suboptimal. In particular, according to Civic Engagement survey conducted by GfK survey company and commissioned by international organization Pact Inc., as few as 21% citizens are savvy on the issues related to the discussion of draft laws of civic engagement in the advisory bodies of public authorities. Expert survey of the CSO representatives “Ukrainian Civil Society 2017: Challenges and Perspectives” conducted by Ilko Kucheriv Democratic Initiatives Foundation proves that only 23.4% respondents mention civic discussions as the most efficient tools for civil society to influence on the authorities, while participation in civic councils and other advisory bodies of public authorities was only mentioned by 18.4% respondents.

Some of the critical problems are that the information on possible ways of interaction between the CSOs and executive bodies is dispersed, and convenient tools for such engagement through one-stop-shop approach and based on unified approach are lacking.

Milestones:

1. Determining requirements to an online platform for interaction between executive bodies and the CSOs
2. Developing an online platform for interaction between executive bodies and the CSOs
3. Beta testing of an online platform for interaction between executive bodies and the CSOs
4. Putting an online platform for interaction between executive bodies and the CSOs into operation

Start Date: December 2018                                                                  End Date: August 2020

Context and objectives

Both authorities and civil society agree that their communication lacks a unified approach and convenient tools for engagement. [112] Central authorities usually provide only an email address for online feedback, thereby limiting discussion. [113]

With this commitment, the government plans to create a unified online platform for interaction between executive bodies and CSOs. The commitment includes specific steps to launch the platform, making it verifiable. As the e-platform implies both informing and a public-private deliberation online, it is relevant to OGP values of access to information, civic participation, as well as technology and innovation.

The government previously had a website for informing and consulting with civil society, [114] but that site was taken down by a hacker attack, and it also had several flaws. CMU has also attempted to use social media, with limited success, [115] and has an e-petition platform. [116] However, for the period of August 2016–March 2019 it displayed only five official answers to e-petitions that had received 25,000 signatures (which is the minimum threshold to require the government to respond). [117] This commitment would create yet another IT tool without solving the underlying challenges. The commitment text does not provide clarity of how the new platform will be different from the previous one. While the government foresees that this undertaking will improve interaction between civil society and authorities, [118] based on the available description of the foreseen platform, the potential impact of this commitment is minor.

Next steps

The introduction of new online tools for improving interaction between civil society and government should be accompanied by in-depth analysis of how this tool would add value to the existing resources, its specific objectives, and how its effectiveness will be measured. In addition, the government needs to keep track of officials’ responsiveness to input from civil society. Only numerous cases of civic involvement and authorities’ dedicated response can enhance the practice of citizen-authority interaction.

13. Introduce an online platform for civil society-authorities interaction

Completion: Limited

The government conducted a public survey and held discussions with civil society and the public about the needs and requirements of an online platform for interaction between executive bodies and civil society organizations. ^[117] The platform is called VzaemoDiia, ^[118] and it is to be integrated into the government’s Diia digital services portal. ^[119] While there is a landing page with basic information, the VzaemoDiia platform is not developed for public use yet. ^[120]