Consultations based on rules

Description

The project's objective is to systemically strengthen the position of NGOs in the process of public policy consultation on the local and central levels, through practical support for administration and organizations in developing and implementing rules of such consultations. We want to face the common and important barrier for NGO participation in consultations, namely, the absence of clear rules and standards for conducting them. Most local governments and central ministries have no such rules, and if they have them they are not consulted with NGOs. FISE together with Stocznia Foundation will promote participative ways of developing consultation rules and proper standards in this field, based on 2 documents - 7 rules of consultation and Local Consultation Canon. Together with 5 ministries and 10 cities and non-governmental organizations we will develop such rules. We will also gather important knowledge useful when preparing, conducting and participating in consultations.

Summary of project results

"In Poland, the most common form of civil participation are social consultations whereby NGOs and citizens can not only legitimise different solutions, but also propose them. But for that purpose, it is necessary to develop and implement the rules for consultations and to prepare NGOs to thoughtful participation in consultations and their monitoring. The aim of the project was to permanently and systemically strengthen the position of NGOs in the processes of consulting public policies on the local and central levels through practical support for administration and NGOs in developing the rules for conducting consultations. The activities resulted in e.g. including the rules in the cooperation program between NGOs and the Ministry of Justice and planned such programs for the Ministries of Culture, Sports and Economy, as well as resolving the issue of bases of stakeholders invited to consultations by the ministries of Justice, Science, and Environment. Education activities were led for public administration and NGOs to familiarise them with the standards of conducting and participating in consultations and to supply tools for their implementation. Two editions of a review of government legislative processes as to the quality of consultations were organised, and indicators for their systematic evaluation were developed. On the local level, the activities were focused on medium size towns. The rules for consultations were participatorily implemented in 7 municipalities (Słupsk, Gorzów, Jarocin, Lublin, Opole, Tychy, Konin), and launching works on the rules was supported in another 5 municipalities (Łomża, Milanówek, Zielona Góra, Augustów, Pruszków). Standards for consultations were popularised e.g. during 3 regional Forums for Consultation Practitioners (Białystok, Opole, Sopot), and the guidebook for NGOs and administration “Harnessed consultations"" was published. The knowledge on implementing the rules for consultations was also presented in the guidelines poradnik.ngo.pl and on the page www.regulaminkonsultacji.pl. The portal MamZdanie developed under the project forms a tool for supporting consultations. FISE, the leader of the project, dealt mainly with local activities, while the partner, the Shipyard, was active on the central level."

Summary of bilateral results