Description
The legislative processes are regulated by the “Legislative rules of government”, however, have lower legal status than a law, so its application cannot be forced and government often breaks it making legislative process not predictable and transparent. The effective solution would be adoption of the law. On regional level, municipalities adopt regulations in accordance with different legislation. These regulations often restrict access of citizens to courts since they cannot ask court for assessment of such regulations. This serious barrier to active participation of public in legislative process needs new legislation. Project will involve public to legislative process of laws influencing its participatory rights, provide assistance, know-how and information useful for effective participation. At the same time project will strengthen legal skills and knowledge of civil society and motivate them to use those skills especially by web based tool and public discussions.
Summary of project results
Participation of public in legislative processes was defined not very clearly in Slovakia. Though right of public participation did exist formally, it was not implemented in legislation and often it was not respected by central public administration. It resulted in untransparent preparation of legislation which might be influenced by unfair political approoaches and by interest groups without awareness of public. The main objective of the project was therefore to improve public participation in preparation of legislation. The goal was achieved via main outcomes: two new acts were adopted which define involving of public in legislation preparation and allow citizens to address a court directly if public decision harms an environment. Beside two new acts many other outputs were delivered, e.g.: 1 legal analysis, 1 legal proposal, legal assistance in 19 relevant cases, 12.500 inviduals involved in legalislation preparation, new internet modul about public legal participation, 1 vudeo, intensive media relations, 2 public hearing, etc. Legal assistance to active people and organisations in various cases showed to public that public participation makes sense and is possible. The main benefit of the project is very important: legal environment is more supportive to public participation in legislation preparation today. Active citizens and organisations may be initiative easily and/or involved in preparation of new acts and they may easily approach court if they dont like some decisions. It is very efficient contribution to transparency of public administration and to a level of democracy in Slovakia. In addition, achievements of the project keep activists motivated as far they know that they shall be respected by public administrators. The project also increased public awareness of citizens about legislation preparation and influencing and raised interest of public in this specific topic.
Summary of bilateral results