Digital platform for public participation with civil society hosted by OSCE Mission in Kosovo

A civil society forumwith representatives of non-governmental organizations on public participation and active citizenship, hosted by the OSCE Mission to Kosovo, was held on 1 December 2016 in Prishtinë/Priština.

The event gathered around 65 participants from the civil society sector to discuss digital solutions for increasing public participation, and the recently launched, OSCE-supported, Digital Platform for Public Participation for Prishtinë/Priština and Gjakovë/Ðakovica municipalities.

During the forum, the Digital Platform and its accompanying social media channels were presented in detail to the civil society representatives and to the public. The platform offers a digital-based solution to foster public participation, and gives to the two  municipalities’ residents the opportunity to propose, recommend and give ideas about their neighbourhoods. It also allows the municipalities to channel these requests so that they can be processed by relevant departments as well as propose plans and projects for discussion with the public.  

“When it comes to the platform, the role of civil society is really important because we see it as a watchdog to make sure that the platform is running and that the balance between public and institutions is reached,” said Christopher Tuetsch, Director of Democratization Department of the OSCE Mission.

The presentation was followed by a panel discussion of experts in the field of digital solutions as a means to increase public participation. Other platforms of similar nature in Kosovo were also discussed.

The event is a part of wider mission efforts to establish participatory mechanisms and to positively guide decision – making processes in Kosovo.

The OSCE Mission in Kosovo is mandated with human and community rights promotion, democratization and public safety sector development.

The link to the digital platform is here: www.platformadigjitale.com, www.digitalnaplatforma.com.