20: Implementation and Research

Build a coordinated cross-institutional eParticipation implementation and research strategy

Other Information:

A medium-term cross-institutional and coordinated strategy is needed across all European Union institutions to support eParticipation and research both for European level initiatives and how the EU can support national, sub-national and stakeholder initiatives. This should be designed to reduce duplication and to be part of the recommended “Open Engagement Policy” and within the purview of the proposed “Service for Public Engagement”. EU institutions and staff should be more directly involved in the eParticipation initiatives they sponsor. This is already being done in some countries (like the UK) where civil servants participate as advisers and experts rather than decision-takers when taking part in civil or commercial networks. Experiment with different types of research projects, for example longitudinal approach, small-scale comparative action research. Ensure at least low-level financial support is available to innovators on the periphery and is not monopolised by the major research centres. Better research is needed into the roles and impacts of different actors and user situations in eParticipation.

Indicator(s):

Indicator:1

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