RESPONSIBILITIES OF PUBLIC AUTHORITIES AT THE VARIOUS STAGES OF THE DECISION-MAKING PROCESS

There are six different steps in the political decision-making process:  Agenda Setting, Drafting of Policy, Decision-Making, Implementation of Policy, Monitoring and Reformulation of Policy. Each step offers opportunities for NGOs and public authorities to interact.

To ensure that the essential contributions of NGOs are enshrined in the political decision-making process without discrimination, an enabling environment is required. Conditions of an enabling environment include the rule of law, adherence to fundamental democratic principles, political will, favourable legislation, clear and precise procedures, long-term support and resources for a sustainable civil society and shared spaces for dialogue and cooperation. These conditions allow for a constructive relationship between NGOs and public authorities built on reciprocal trust and mutual understanding for participatory democracy. Here below we focus on the responsibilities of public authorities at the various stages of the decision-making process.

1. Agenda setting

• Information Sharing:Provision of up-to-date accurate and timely information in an accessible format for all interested parties;
• Procedures: Develop and adhere to a transparent decision-making process. Provide clear, open and accessible procedures for participation;
• Resource Provision: Enable the active participation of civil society through for example, budgetary provision, in-kind support or administrative services;
• Responsiveness: Ensure active involvement of relevant public authority representatives; listen, react and give feedback.

2. Drafting

• Information Sharing: Provision of timely and comprehensive information on current consultation processes;
• Procedures: Develop and adhere to minimum consultation standards, such as clear objectives, rules for participation, timelines, contacts etc. Organise open consultation meetings, including invitation to all potential stakeholders;
• Resource Provision: Provide adequate timelines and means for consultation to ensure participation of different levels of civil society;
• Responsiveness: Ensure active involvement of relevant public authority representatives; listen, react and give feedback to consultation responses.

3. Decision

•  Information Sharing: Provide information on policies currently in the decision-making process;
•  Procedures: Offer and follow procedures for co-decision mechanisms where applicable;
•  Resource Provision: Enable and support the active participation of civil society by associating NGOs in the decision step;
•  Responsiveness: Listen, take into consideration and respond to civil society input

4. Implementation

• Information Sharing: Provide information on implementation strategies, public tendering procedures and project guidelines;
• Procedures: Follow established rules and regulations for policy implementation;
• Resource Provision: Enable the active participation of civil society in the implementation step through for example, budgetary provision, in-kind support or administrative services;
• Responsiveness: Be available and react to specific needs arising from circumstances around policy implementation

5. Monitoring

• Information Sharing: Provide information on current policy status;
• Responsiveness: Listen, and react to specific points raised by NGOs and civil society;

6. Reformulation

•  Information sharing: Provision of information on possible review of a policy and their perception of changes needed in policy;
•  Procedures: Provide clear, open and accessible processes for participation;
•  Resource Provision: Enable and support the active participation of civil society;
•  Responsiveness: Listen and act on input from NGOs