Public participation from story to reality

What we aim at

This project stems from the conclusions of the study "Public Participation between Legislation and Efficiency", edited by CeRe in 2008, and aims at helping 6 town halls improve citizen participation in public decision making.
 

Partners

In order to turn public participation from story to reality, CeRe is working together with the town halls of Boldesti Scaieni (Prahova County), Mioveni and Corbi (Arges County), Contesti (Dambovita County), Andrasesti and Cazanesti (Ialomita County).

Assessing the way citizens are involved in decision making for the community

Activities

• Recommendations to improve communication between administration and residents, based on the assessment mentioned above.
  
• Conducting a lecture for administration officials in 6 towns, on the topic of "Citizen participation in public decision making".
  
• Conducting events in each of the 6 towns, that allow citizens to express their opinions on the decisions to be taken by the town hall.
  
• Conducting a "lessons learned" seminar for exchange of experience.
  
• Publishing case studies on 3 of the towns involved.
  
• Conducting classes in each town for the citizens who want to keep track of the administration's activity and to fight for the interests of the community.
  

Current stage
So far, CeRe visited twice each of the 6 towns in order to assess the level of citizen involvement in public decision making. For assessment purposes, the CeRe representatives had talks with the administration officials as well as with the citizens.

After hearing the opinions of "both sides", CeRe developed for each town hall a set of recommendations for improving citizen participation in decision making.

Subsequently, two or three officials from four of the six administrations involved participated in a training session on the topic of "Communication with citizens and new methods of public consultation".

CeRe is currently assisting the administrations involved in conducting the consultation processes they have planned and has started public seminars where citizens can learn more about their rights in relation to the local administration.

This project is financed by the Balkan Trust for Democracy with $25,000.