LLinE Lifelong Learning in Europe

The eParticipation Initiative

The eParticipation Initiative builds on Commission actions, mainly at the research field, and on the clear support from the European Parliament and the Council of Ministers.

The European Commission supported a number of Information Society Technologies research projects on eParticipation during the 5th and 6th Framework Programmes for Research.

At the end of 2005, the European Parliament asked the Commission to launch an eParticipation Preparatory Action. In June 2006, the Council of Ministers recognized "the growing interest in eParticipation and the impact of ICT on activities in the political sphere and welcomes its inclusion in the i2010 eGovernment Action Plan;" while inviting the Commission and the Member States to "experiment with innovative eParticipation schemes aiming at increasing participation in democratic processes focusing on tools and addressing citizens' demands."

Recent demand for citizens participation to EU level decisions increases the importance and potential of eParticipation. eParticipation comprises today a variety of areas such as e-consultation, e-legislation, e-petition and e-deliberation. A significant number of national and regional authorities of the Member States have already launched numerous projects and initiatives, as well as other actions.

ICTs can empower citizens to be more involved in the decision-making processes, enabling not only a better and faster process, increased transparency and accountability, but also encouraging better communication between all parties involved. On the latter point, this can have positive impact on policies from local to European level and contribute towards achieving the i2010 goals.

eGovernment: Commission calls for ambitious objectives in the EU for 2010
http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/06/523&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

The new eGovernment action plan adopted by the European Commission addresses five priority areas for 2010 and underlines the commitment of the European Commission to delivering tangible benefits to all Europeans, in cooperation with the Member States: No citizen left behind; Raising efficiency; Implementing e-Procurement; Safe access to services EU wide; and Strengthening participation and democratic decision-making.
http://europa.eu.int/information_society/activities/egovernment_research/index_en.htm
eParticipation Research
http://europa.eu.int/information_society/activities/egovernment_research/eparticipation/index_en.htm#research
eParticipation Preparatory Action
http://europa.eu.int/information_society/activities/egovernment_research/eparticipation/index_en.htm#prep_action
eParticipation National Initiatives
http://europa.eu.int/information_society/activities/egovernment_research/eparticipation/index_en.htm#initiatives
eParticipation Good Practices
http://europa.eu.int/information_society/activities/egovernment_research/eparticipation/index_en.htm#practices
www.egov-goodpractice.org
http://europa.eu.int/information_society/edutra/index_en.htm
http://europa.eu.int/information_society/soccul/egov/index_en.htm
http://europa.eu.int/information_society/activities/index_en.htm

The Work programme 2006 of the Preparatory Action adopted by the European Commission on 27 July 2006. The call for proposals is launched on 28 July 2006 with the deadline of 4 October 2006.
http://europa.eu.int/information_society/activities/egovernment_research/doc/eparticipation/workprogramme2006final.pdf