1

eParticipation in local and

regional development

European Week of Regions and Cities7 October 2008Brussels

Jeremy MillardDanish Technological Institute

2

Regional development in the knowledge economy and society– shift from only physical and locational assets

challenge is physical distance – transport routes are critical– to focus on knowledge, human and organisational assets

challenge is using local assets in global context – ICT is critical

eGovernment for efficient and effective services– city and advanced regions – critical competitive factor

supporting economic development and regional branding– less prosperous regions – joining up public services with local firms

lead role in economic development and social cohesion

eParticipation for (bottom-up) decision and policy-making – local knowledge – professional, entrepreneurial and community

involving expertise, resources and skills– local representation – empowerment through participation &

democracytransparency, accountability and good governance

Role of eGovernment and eParticipation in regional and local development

3

eParticipation: involving stakeholders in community, policy and politics assisted by ICT

Source: European eParticipation, Deliverable D4.2a: http://www.european-eparticipation.eu

Types of eParticipation initiatives in Europe (n=216)

1

8

10

11

12

13

23

25

43

57

68

77

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90

Mediation

Voting

Citizenship education

Campaigning

Collaboration environment / community building

ePetitioning

ePolling

Spatial planning

Discourse

Deliberation

Consultation

Information provision

4

eParticipation is largely local and regional

Level of eParticipation initiatives in Europe (n=216)

1

2

39

40

59

75

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80

International

Trans-national

European

Regional

National

Local

Source: European eParticipation, Deliverable D4.2a: http://www.european-eparticipation.eu

5

Using ICT in local and regional participation

Report, view, or discuss local problems(like graffiti, fly tipping, broken paving slabs, or street lighting)-- we send it to the council on your behalf

6

Using ICT in local and regional participation

Report, view, or discuss local problems(like graffiti, fly tipping, broken paving slabs, or street lighting)-- we send it to the council on your behalf

7

eParticipation Preparatory Action, with European Parliament, 2006-2008

– objective: to demonstrate how using modern ICT tools and applications can make it easier for people to participate in decision-making and can contribute to better legislation

– 13 trials in real environments: promoting the use of ICT in the legislative and decision-making processes at local, regional, national and EU level

eParticipation initiatives funded by the EC

8

9

eParticipation Preparatory Action, with European Parliament, 2006-2008

– objective: to demonstrate how using modern ICT tools and applications can make it easier for people to participate in decision-making and can contribute to better legislation

– 13 trials in real environments: promoting the use of ICT in the legislative and decision-making processes at local, regional, national and EU level

eParticipation and the Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme

– PEP-NET: a network promoting local and regional eParticipation to increase information, share experiences and foster the wider use of participatory tools and activities: http://www.pep-net.eu

eParticipation initiatives funded by the EC

10

11

eParticipation Preparatory Action, with European Parliament, 2006-2008

– objective: to demonstrate how using modern ICT tools and applications can make it easier for people to participate in decision-making and can contribute to better legislation

– 13 trials in real environments: promoting the use of ICT in the legislative and decision-making processes at local, regional, national and EU level

eParticipation and the Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme

– PEP-NET: a network promoting local and regional eParticipation to increase information, share experiences and foster the wider use of participatory tools and activities : http://www.pep-net.eu

eParticipation research projects– 5FP and FP6: INTELCITIES: Intelligent Cities is a project which aims to pool

knowledge and experience on electronic government, planning systems and citizen participation from across Europe: http://intelcities.iti.gr/intelcities

eParticipation initiatives funded by the EC

12

13

eParticipation Preparatory Action, with European Parliament, 2006-2008

– objective: to demonstrate how using modern ICT tools and applications can make it easier for people to participate in decision-making and can contribute to better legislation

– 13 trials in real environments: promoting the use of ICT in the legislative and decision-making processes at local, regional, national and EU level

eParticipation and the Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme

– PEP-NET: a network promoting local and regional eParticipation to increase information, share experiences and foster the wider use of participatory tools and activities : http://www.pep-net.eu

eParticipation research projects– 5FP and FP6: INTELCITIES: Intelligent Cities is a project which aims to pool

knowledge and experience on electronic government, planning systems and citizen participation from across Europe: http://intelcities.iti.gr/intelcities

– eParticipation is included in 7FP Research (2007 – 2013) and future projects are expected to be funded in the coming years

1. eGovernance and eParticipation2. Policy modelling and simulation

Join us at the ICT Conference, Lyon, 25-27 Nov 2008 http://ec.europa.eu/information_society/events/ict/2008

eParticipation initiatives funded by the EC

14

European eParticipation Study, 2008-2009– Is eParticipation necessary at the European level? How should the European

Commission and the European Parliament use the internet and other digital technologies to engage with citizens on policy issues?

http://www.european-eparticipation.eu/

eParticipation and eDemocracy communty http://www.epractice.eu/community/eParticipation

eParticipation initiatives funded by the EC

15