Enhancing the Openness of Preparatory Processes (FI0001)

In the year 1 of the Action Plan the ownership of the already existing government’s project register and possibilities of its further development will be clarified. In addition, possibilities for further development of the state government’s project register are studied, including its usability and possibilities to increase the awareness of its existence.
To increase transparency government decision making processes are made more traceable by publishing clear and popular process maps and annual cycles of the core preparatory and decision-making processes during the years 1 and 2 of the Action Plan.
In year 1 the principles of the consultation guidelines of legislative work will be extended to the rest of the preparatory work in the state administration. Publishing drafts and alterna- tive solutions at the preparatory phase, using diverse consultation methods and consulting people of all ages will be emphasized when updating the guidelines.
In 2005 the Permanent State Secretaries signed common principles to enhance openness and consultation. In year 1 they will renew their commitment as their ministry’s “openness leaders” to further develop openness in their ministries and in the whole-of-government.
The marketing and implementation of the different functionalities of the e- participation environment/portal will be supported both in the state and municipal administration in year 1. Voluntary commitments will be collected from state agencies and municipalities on how they will promote openness. On their websites, the agencies will inform the public about their new actions to promote openness.
Finland will join the Open budget index programme in year 2014.
In years 1 and 2 as part of the comprehensive reform of the Local Government Act other ways of increasing the openness of preparatory processes will be studied.