The idea behind the Polish e-Democracy Forum is to call inclusive eGovernment stakeholders into action and to bridge the gap in access to government services with the use ICT. The project’s main action is centered around the launch of the e-participation process involving citizens, ICT practitioners non-governmental organizations representatives and local/regional governments from the Podkarpackie Region, with the ultimate goal to assure that the local & regional government services are open to all citizens, including the socially disadvantaged and that they contribute to their social integration. Through Pfed, ICT practitioners and other stakeholders can provide recommendations, innovative ideas and influence means related to eGovernment processes/solutions implementation at local/regional level; participation of local government representatives in the debate ensures good communication and joint adoption of solutions which were defined in the course of debate engaging other stakeholders. The presence of citizens and NGOs allows for the voice of disadvantaged (on behalf of which NGOs act) to be heard. Reaching the project’s objectives results in provision of a uniform platform for social consultations of documents related to Inclusive eGovernment policy development. Using innovative ICTs, Pfed is a significant source of information on all possible forms of citizens’ participation in democratic processes.
Policy Context
Polish eDemocracy Forum is the source of information on forms of citizens’ participation in democratic process using modern information and participation technologies and on ways in which local governments, while using ICT may reach out to all social groups, in order to provide them with services benefiting them with better opportunities for employability and social integration. Project’s authors have elaborated the review of the most important initiatives concerning the inclusive electronic government that are underway in other countries throughout the world and will regularly publish updated information on eDemocracy Forum
Description of target users and groups
The Cities on Internet Association in the cooperation with the plenipotentiary of Management Board of Podkarpackie Region for cooperation with non-governmental organisations has launched the Internet forum enabling participation of citizens, non-governmental organizations representatives and local/regional governments from the Podkarpackie Region in the democratic process of law-making and ICT services and policy design on the local, regional and national level. Non governmental organizations are tasked with representation of disadvantaged groups at risk of social exclusion and ensure oversight of government actions aimed at improving access to public services.
Description of the way to implement the initiative
The “Cities on Internet†Association in the cooperation with the plenipotentiary of Management Board of Podkarpackie Region for cooperation with non-governmental organisations has launched the Internet forum enabling participation of citizens, non-governmental organizations representatives and local/regional governments from the Podkarpackie Region in the democratic process of law-making and ICT services and policy design on the local, regional and national level.
Technology solution
Php BB forum
Technology choice: Open source softwareMain results, benefits and impacts
Making ICT technology – web forum- available to citizens and NGO’s Initial dissemination was done through the public websites – http://www.wrotapodkarpacia.pl and special e-mail sent to all communities in the region
Return on investment
Return on investment: Not applicable / Not availableLessons learnt
Through Pfed, ICT practitioners and other stakeholders provides recommendations, innovative ideas and influence means related to eGovernment processes/solutions implementation at local/regional level; participation of local government representatives in the debate ensures good communication and joint adoption of solutions which were defined in the course of debate engaging other stakeholders
Scope: Regional (sub-national)