CSO engagement in policy process

Hille Hinsberg

State Chancellery

Government Communication Officer

Hille.hinsberg@rk.ee

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development of civil society in Estonia: major milestones and policy documents

overview of participation of CSOs in the policy process

principles for engaging non-governmental organizations in Estonia

public consultations Website

Major policy documents

1995 - the Foundations Act 1996 - the Non-Profit Associations Act 2002 - Estonian Civil Society Development

Concept (EKAK) 2006 - Agenda for Supporting Civic Initiative

in 2007-2010

Main principles of EKAK CIVIC ACTIVITY - voluntary participation of

individuals in the societal life, based on their own initiative that is supported by public institutions, which establish a favourable legal environment, provide information to the population on their activities and engage citizens and their associations into the planning and implementation of decisions.

PARTICIPATION - Citizens' associations act as channels for representing various understandings and interests existing in the society, allowing the citizens receive information and deliver their opinions regarding scheduled decisions.

Participation of CSOs in the policy process

The survey conducted by the Center for Policy Studies PRAXIS in 2004 charted procedures for engaging non-governmental organizations in Estonia. suggestions to the government, parliament and CSOs how to improve public engagement.

http://www.praxis.ee/?lang=en&act=show_book&book_id=43&menu_id=135

Who get engaged in the regulatory process?

1. Experts

2. Professional associations

3. National business associations

4. National representative organizations of CSOs

5. Individual nonprofit associations, foundations

6. Trade unions

Source: Praxis

Why are CSOs engaged 1/2?

Members of Parliament: to find the best solution for societal problems, having joint

discussions with the stakeholders (75%) to collect information regarding various risks and impacts

that can occur upon the implementation of legislation (65%) engagement is the practice that has developed within the

committee, part of work process (55%)

Source: Praxis

Why are CsOs engaged 2/2?

Government officials: to find the best solution for the societal problems and thus

increase the responsibility of stakeholders (72%) to increase the quality of legislation (54%)

Stakeholders/CSOs their own activity (63%) subdue their opposition while passing legislation (53%) obtain alternative opinions (46%)

Source: Praxis

How are CSOs engaged?

Most often CSOs are engaged in the regulatory process by sending them documents for comments (draft legislation together with explanatory memorandum, development plans).Most frequently used information and participation channels:

information via e-mails from ministries (66%) letters from ministries sent by snail mail (63%) information via meetings with officials, discussions, seminars

and roundtables (62%)

Source: Praxis

Recommendations for government

It is recommended to phrase general principles for engaging CSOs, differentiating interest representation from professional expertise.

Engaging CSOs should be centrally coordinated. Tools and methods for engaging CSOs should be combined

according to the subject and type of participating CSOs. Make better use of and develop existing e-channels for

engaging CSOs.

Source: Praxis

Recommendations for government cont.

E-tools: Make ministries’ websites more effective and easier to use,

create greater transparency and better opportunities for participation. Make consultation results public.

Create a common information website for public consultation and participation procedures.

Make better use of online consultations - 2-3 most important drafts from every ministry.

Create public e-lists based on subject fields.

Source: Praxis

Code of Good Practice on Involvement

Code of Good Practice on Involvement was developed in 2005.

The objective of Code of Good Practice on Involvement is to harmonize the principles, from which the public sector institutions and non-profit organizations can proceed in involving the public and interest groups in decision-making.

Code is in the form of recommendations and aims to be applied by government in the preparation of policy documents that are important to the country’s development.

In short: guidelines for civil servants

• Plan consultation into each project– proportion it according to the significance of the project

• Make sure that all affected parties are consulted and that all those interested can send comments

• Reserve enough time for the consultation• Make a resume –bring out also those comments, that did

not lead to changes• Evaluate how well you succeeded• Use simple language!

The public consultation website osale.ee

In 2007 - Website was created by the Estonian State Chancellery as a common platform for all government agencies.

The aim - to achieve more transparency and openness in decision making, better quality for public decisions, i.e. policy and legislation.

The idea - all government agencies publish their draft policy papers, development plans, laws or provisions on the consultation website.

Submission - voluntary and not regulated by administrative procedures.

Detailed description of portal is available at http://epractice.eu/cases/osale

How does it work?

1. Citizens and interest groups can launch initiatives for new legislation or amendments and submit petitions.

2. Citizens and CSOs can participate in public consultations and publicly give their opinion about draft legislation prepared by government agencies: Registered users can comment on the drafts and see other

peoples´ feedback. Interested parties can subscribe to email alerts about new

consultations. 3. Use a search function for legal acts according to their stage of

preparation, e.g since policy proposal to adoption in the parliament.

First results

During first year of use, 40 public consultations have been carried out.

The website has 4000-5000 visits per consultation on average.

Most popular consultations – new Employment Contract Law - had over 7 000 visits, e-citizen charter over 9 000

Over 600 registered users for consultations