OSCE helps Ukraine increase public participation in decision-making

Civil society expert groups

In 2005, to help determine the best ways to increase public participation in decision-making, the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine and the Ukrainian Government created civil society expert groups in 10 of the country's 25 regions: Chernihiv, Chernivtsi, Donetsk, Kirovohrad, Lviv, Odesa, Uzhgorod, Vinnytsya, Zaporyzhzhya and Crimea.

Working under the umbrella of the regional governments, the expert groups aim to develop a practical mechanism to involve the public in local social and economic matters. Academics, journalists and representatives of non-governmental organizations were selected by the local authorities and the Project Co-ordinator through an open competition. So far, the groups have reviewed and appraised more than 300 legislative acts.

"With this pilot project, we aim to set up a multi-step methodology to include the public in decision-making," says Marten Ehnberg, Head of the Democratization Section at the OSCE Project Co-ordinator's office. "First, the regional administration submits a draft decision to the expert group. After all of the group's members have examined the draft, they provide recommendations.

"While the administration is not obliged to implement the suggestions - which are sometimes even covered in the local press - it has formally agreed to take them into consideration."

Live on TV

Members of the expert group in Sevastopol, Crimea, found an additional way of getting public recommendations to the authorities. In May 2006, they created a TV programme called 'Public Expertise,' which is being aired weekly on the local People's Channel.

Each show presents a current topic relevant to the everyday experiences of Sevastopol residents. The programme broadcasts prerecorded interviews with both experts and members of the public, followed by a live studio discussion with a panel of specialists, politicians and representatives of local authorities. Members of the public can call in with their comments and ask questions.

"This kind of TV programme is also very useful for presenting public opinion on legislation," says Ivan Boechko, head of the Sevastopol Human Protection Group and a member of the expert group. "The programme engages the authorities and public in dialogue and helps decision-makers to understand what kind of problems interest citizens the most."

Dmytro Baziv is the Deputy Head of the Sevastopol City State Administration: "According to a survey conducted by People's Channel, the majority of those interviewed in Sevastopol believe that it is necessary to further develop a mechanism to promote public participation in decision-making."

Getting online

The expert group in Chernivtsi had another idea to encourage greater public interaction with the authorities. On the administration's website (www.oda.cv.ua), it publishes information on its activities, comments on legislation and other related information. "We hope that other regions will soon follow this example," says the OSCE's Ehnberg.

The website now offers information on the activities of the Government, legislation, local news and investment proposals, as well as comments and suggestions from the public, which the expert group then examines in its work. Direct online communication between the authorities and the public was introduced in November 2006, but residents can still submit comments and proposals to the group.

OSCE support

The expert groups are working under the umbrella of the OSCE Project Co-ordinator, which provides them with technical and practical support. In each of ten regions, the Co-ordinator contracted one person with expertise in civil society development who helps to co-ordinate activities between the authorities and expert groups.

"In co-operation with the central and local authorities, we plan to continue supporting the 10 expert groups throughout 2007, devising best practices that can help to boost public participation in decision-making across the country," says Ehnberg.