Participation of citizens in the creation of public policies (MEZBK0001)

Commitment ID

MEZBK0001

Commitment Title

Participation of citizens in the creation of public policies

Problem

Participatory democracy is a form of democracy in which decisions in the social and economic sphere are made with the participation of all those who are affected by the consequences of those decisions, i.e. with the involvement of a wider community of actors and interest groups (citizens, civil society, private sector, etc.). In the absence of this practice, and without promoting opportunities for the participation of citizens and interest groups in the process of creating policies, we cannot talk about the inclusiveness of citizens and the adequate application of other principles of good governance. The municipality of Žabljak made efforts to build the legislative framework in accordance with national legal norms and good practices, but the key problem is its application by both institutions and citizens. Because of the above, in Žabljak there is no noticeable proactive relationship in two-way communication when it comes to the normative activity of the local administration. With such a cross-section of the situation, it is not even possible to measure the impact that a certain policy has achieved. In this field, it is not easy to define the causes of the problem or to separate them from the consequences, because the public policy process is sensitive to many different factors, and the way in which public policy ultimately affects the "average" person has not been sufficiently examined.

Status quo

Quality public policies are key to achieving desired results and impacts, yet this process is challenging due to inherent obstacles in policy-making. These include limited transparency, resource constraints, and insufficient capacity for regulatory impact assessments (RIA), which often shift focus from risk prevention to short-term solutions. Effective policy formulation depends on knowledge and consistent application of governance principles, including management, control, and monitoring. Information is fundamental in connecting public administration with citizens. Although the Law on Local Self-Government mandates mechanisms for citizen participation in public affairs, the Municipality of Žabljak's website does not adequately showcase these tools. The public hearings section lacks chronological data for 2016, 2021, and 2023, and no Media Plan or similar document outlines planned hearings, complicating public access to key information. Public policies should include clear, accessible information on consultations, public debates, and participation methods, accompanied by detailed reports on these activities. Reports must summarize feedback, list participants, and outline administration responses and next steps. Citizens’ limited motivation to engage in policy-making stems not from a complete lack of announcements but from their poor content, transparency, and accessibility.

Action

The obligation to improve the application of the standards of efficient creation of public policies and decision-making based on evidence is aimed at the proactive action of institutions and citizens, as well as the strengthening of mutual cooperation and trust. The expected results are as follows:Improved internal procedures for the efficient creation of public policies at the local level, with a focus on streamlining workflows, enhancing collaboration between departments, and ensuring that policy development processes are inclusive and effective;An enhanced reporting system for documenting consultations and public debates, including clear protocols for recording feedback and providing summaries of discussions to increase transparency; Increased participation of young people in the policy-making process by implementing targeted outreach programs, organizing youth-focused workshops, and developing channels that encourage youth input in local governance;Improved communication with citizens regarding the mechanisms and benefits of participation in public debates and consultations, achieved through regular updates on the municipal website, social media engagement, and community outreach to raise awareness and invite broader involvement;These actions will collectively contribute to a more participatory and transparent approach to local policy-making, ensuring that citizens, especially young people, are well-informed and empowered to take an active role in shaping their community.

How will the commitment contribute to solving the public problem described above?

With this obligation, we strive to make efforts to bring citizens closer together and enable them to be active protagonists in the political system.

For each public policy, it should be pointed out why it is important, how it affects the citizens, what are the reasons for initiating the adoption, changes or additions to a policy. With the creation of an RIA analysis, it would be easier to provide the necessary information.

In order to reach different target groups, it is necessary to apply different methods of involving citizens. These mechanisms should not be a replacement, but a supplement to the existing forms for conducting public consultations and discussions through the organization of round tables, tribunes, and open days. The last-mentioned mechanism applied by the Municipality of Žabljak is an excellent way to identify and include in the agenda the challenges that citizens face in direct communication with citizens. What is important is that the public has insight into the content of these meetings and their outcome.

The obligation reflects a strategic and visionary approach to solving the challenges of lack of knowledge, capacity and insecurity among citizens who would like to participate.

What long-term goal as identified in your Open Government Strategy does this commitment relate to?

Strengthening the rational model of decision-making - adoption of public policies.

Primary Policy Area

Civic Space

Primary Sector

Cross-sectoral, Other/NA

What OGP value is this commitment relevant to?