Citizen engagement- improve citizen engagement through online portal (MVFUV0002)

Commitment ID

MVFUV0002

Commitment Title

Citizen engagement- improve citizen engagement through online portal

Problem

Limited citizen engagement with Fuvahmulah City Council stems from the lack of an accessible, user-friendly digital platform. This leads to reduced public awareness of council activities, decreased participation in decision-making, and a gap in communication between the council and the community. The absence of a centralized online portal results in citizens struggling to find relevant information, while outdated or excessive content further discourages engagement. This commitment aims to solve these issues by improving digital access, ensuring important information is highlighted, and eliminating unnecessary details for better clarity and usability.

Status quo

Currently, Fuvahmulah City Council lacks a centralized and well-structured online portal dedicated to citizen engagement. Information is scattered across different channels, often outdated or overly detailed, making it difficult for citizens to access what is most relevant. As a result, public participation in council initiatives remains low, and communication gaps persist between the council and residents. While basic information is shared through social media and the council’s website, no comprehensive effort has been made to streamline content, highlight key updates, or create an interactive space for feedback and involvement. This limits the potential for active civic engagement and transparency.

Action

The commitment aims to improve citizen engagement in Fuvahmulah City through the development and enhancement of a dedicated online portal. This portal will serve as a centralized platform for sharing key council updates, announcements, public services, and opportunities for civic participation. The focus will be on presenting only the most relevant and important information, while eliminating outdated or unnecessary content to ensure clarity and ease of use.

The portal will be designed with user accessibility in mind, enabling residents to easily navigate and interact with council content. It will also include interactive features such as feedback forms, polls, and comment sections to encourage two-way communication between the council and citizens.

The overall objective is to increase transparency, strengthen public trust, and promote active citizen involvement in local governance. The expected results include higher website traffic, improved public understanding of council initiatives, and greater participation in city decision-making processes.

How will the commitment contribute to solving the public problem described above?

This commitment directly addresses the issue of low citizen engagement by establishing a clear, streamlined, and accessible online portal for Fuvahmulah City Council. By prioritizing the most important and relevant information, and removing unnecessary or outdated content, the portal will make it easier for citizens to stay informed and involved in local governance.

Improved access to key updates, services, and decision-making processes will reduce information gaps and foster transparency. Interactive features such as feedback tools and community surveys will further encourage citizen input and participation.

Expected Outputs:

• A fully functional, user-friendly online portal for citizen engagement

• Regularly updated content focused on key council activities and services

• Simplified information architecture to enhance navigation and clarity

• Tools for public feedback and interaction

Expected Outcomes:

• Increased public awareness of council initiatives

• Higher citizen participation in policy discussions and local programs

• Strengthened trust and communication between the council and the community

• Enhanced transparency and accountability in local governance

What long-term goal as identified in your Open Government Strategy does this commitment relate to?

This commitment supports the long-term goal of enhancing transparency, accountability, and inclusive participation in local governance as outlined in the Open Government Strategy. By improving digital access to information and simplifying how the public interacts with the council, the initiative contributes to building a more open, responsive, and citizen-centered government in Fuvahmulah. The commitment also aligns with national efforts to strengthen democratic engagement through digital innovation and community involvement.

Primary Policy Area

Civic Space, Digital Governance

Primary Sector

Cross-sectoral, Media and Telecommunications, Public Services (general)

What OGP value is this commitment relevant to?