(LV0054)

Commitment 3: Improve communication between public institutions and citizens and develop more active communication on issues of public importance

3.1 Timely, inclusive and targeted communication of socially important decisions and developments to target groups, including explanations of the practical implementation of decisions taken

Target groups are informed about decisions and developments that are important to society, as well as about the practical implementation of decisions that have been made, including:
- human safety;
- national defence;
- health;
- welfare
- efficiency of public administration and reduction of bureaucratic burdens.

Seminars, field trips, face-to-face meetings, online events, think tanks, participation in the LAMPA discussion festival are organised for information purposes, and the participation of leading officials is ensured.

Information is communicated to target groups through various appropriate communication channels or forms of communication. Channels that allow less active citizens to be addressed are also selected for the communication of information. Using simple language, audio, sign language, subtitles and digitally accessible solutions, people with disabilities, rural and urban residents, senior citizens etc. are targeted. Representatives of vulnerable groups and physical, digital and communication barriers to participation are removed.

Socially significant decisions, in the development of which representatives of society are involved and which, after the decision has been taken, are explained to society in an appropriate manner, providing information about the decision taken and ensuring that the target group affected understands the changes. Number of events organised by ministries, participants reached, target groups covered.

Responsible: All ministries. Cooperation with the media and other interested parties. Deadline: Ongoing.

3.2 Effective responses to citizens' letters and complaints, reducing the number of formal responses

Organised training covering theoretical knowledge, practical work and discussion, sharing good practices.

One training seminar held. Foreign lecturer (good practice).

Responsible: the State Chancellery, State Revenues Service (sharing experiences related to activity "Citizens First"). Co-responsible: Association "Easy Language Agency"*. Deadline: Fourth quarter of 2026.

3.3 Identified necessary statistics in the field of access to information in accordance with the results of the ex-post evaluation of Access to Information Law and the Submissions Law and international data requests

Preparation of an information disclosure data framework.

Identification of necessary data sets and procedure for their collection. Pilot project to collect 2024-2026 data.

Responsible: the State Chancellery, Ministry of Justice. At least two public administration institutions participate in the pilot project (voluntary participation). Deadline: Fourth quarter of 2026, Q4 2027.

3.4 Communication with the public on national defence and strengthening the information space in Latgale and the eastern border region, promoting public involvement in national defence

Regional seminars organised for entrepreneurs, local governments, educational institutions, associations, foundations and representatives of religious organisations on comprehensive national defence, as well as seminars for media representatives on Latvia's defence and security.

Cooperation with the media, associations and foundations in the Latgale planning region on the information space of Latgale and the eastern border region.

Two events in the Latgale planning region. 3-4 events per year in other regions of Latvia.

Responsible: Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Culture. Co-responsible: NGOs, Media in the Latgale Planning Region. Deadline: Fourth quarter of 2026.

3.5 A unified digital solution for the development and coordination of binding municipal regulations and other decisions, as well as for public participation in these processes

The possibility of using the idea of a unified portal for the development and coordination of draft legislation (TAP portal) for the development and coordination of binding municipal regulations and other decisions is being developed, creating a solution tailored to municipalities.

Clarification of the views of local governments on the implementation process, facilitating public involvement and participation. Funding attracted.

Responsible: the Ministry of Smart Administration and Regional Development. Deadline: Fourth quarter of 2027.

3.6 Artificial intelligence solutions in public administration - service names and descriptions

Artificial intelligence is used to provide the public with clear and understandable information.

Improved services (number).

Responsible: VDAA, Ministry of Smart Administration. Deadline: Fourth quarter of 2027.

3.7 Public access to data held by state institutions by publishing it in open data format, as well as data reuse

State institutions shall evaluate the data in their possession, determining which data is suitable and useful for public access, and publish it in open data format.

Seminars to educate the public about the use of open data. Measures to promote the reuse of data.

New open data sets. Promotion of open data and reuse in hackathons, co-creation workshops, etc.

Responsible: Ministry of Smart Administration and Regional Development. Co-responsible: All ministries. Deadline: Fourth quarter of 2027.

3.8 Explanatory activities on the functionality of the unified website platform for gathering citizens' opinions

State and local government institutions make wider use of the functionality of the unified website platform:
- creating surveys using web form functionality;
- web forms for providing feedback, etc.

Information provided on the possibilities of the unified website platform.

Responsible: the State Chancellery. Co-responsible: All ministries and subordinate institutions, Local governments. Deadline: Fourth quarter of 2026.