Increasing the associative environment in the decision-making process (RO0099)

1. What problem does the commitment aim to address?

Currently, the relationship between the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure (MTI) and civil society organisations is largely reactive, limited to occasional and formal consultations, often at late stages of the decision-making process. This approach reduces the potential impact of contributions from the associative environment and prevents its expertise from being harnessed in a consistent and structured manner. The lack of a permanent dialogue mechanism affects the coherence of public participation and reduces trust in decision-making. The commitment aims to move towards a proactive relationship, based on continuous collaboration, by setting up an Advisory Council to facilitate the real involvement of civil society in the development of public policies and normative acts in the field of transport.

2. What are the causes of the problem?

The current normative framework provides only the premises for the involvement of the associative environment in the decision-making process, which often determines a sporadic action of associations/foundations in this process. The lack of clear, recurrent and predictable institutional consultation mechanisms makes participation largely dependent on the unilateral initiative of the ministry or on the ability of organisations to intervene on a targeted basis. In the absence of a structured and regular dialogue framework, collaboration remains fragmented, without the possibility of strategic input from civil society and without a follow-up system on the results of the consultation. This reduces the efficiency of decision-making and limits the potential for co- creation of public transport policies.

Problem Definition

1. What problem does the commitment aim to address?

A public directory was created for the associative environment with simplified tools for registration and newsletters about MTI initiatives were sent to the organizations registered in this directory.

2. What are the causes of the problem?

• Establishing and organizing the Consultative Council of the Transport Association Environment, at the level of MTI, by ministerial order; • Organizing regular meetings during which the legislative initiatives of the Ministry will be debated; • Expanding the debates on topics that are proposed by the associative environment.

3. What results do we want to achieve by implementing this commitment?

• Increasing the involvement of the associative environment in the decision-making process; • Transforming this process from a sporadic one to a permanent one; • The qualitative increase of public policies / normative acts promoted by MTI, especially in increasing the degree to which they meet the expectations of their recipients. Commitment Analysis Questions Answer (if not applicable, answer with N/A only)

1. How will the commitment promote transparency?

The commitment will contribute to transparency by creating a clear and predictable institutional framework for dialogue with civil society, which will operate regularly and not only at isolated moments in the decision-making process. The Council's work is expected to increase the transparency and predictability of the ministry's regulatory process, with better information to stakeholders in a timely manner. Moreover, by constantly publishing the minutes of meetings, the decision-making process will become more transparent and easier for citizens and other stakeholders to follow. In this way, the commitment goes beyond the minimum requirements of decision-making transparency legislation, fostering a culture of open dialogue and institutional accountability to society.

2. How will the commitment help foster accountability?

Within the framework of the activity carried out at the level of the Consultative Council of the Transport Association Environment, at the level of MTI, all MTI structures will be involved, which will provide arguments and information, normative acts or other agreed topics for debate. This active involvement will contribute to making public institutions accountable to citizens through full transparency of the decision-making process and constant access to up-to-date information. Citizens and stakeholders will also be able to follow the progress of the implementation of the measures discussed by publishing the minutes of the meetings. This process will facilitate a better understanding of how civil society recommendations and proposals are integrated into policies and regulations, increasing the accountability of the ministry to the public and ensuring greater transparency in their implementation.

3. How will the commitment improve citizen participation in defining, implementing, and monitoring solutions?

Through the activity of the Consultative Council of the Transport Association Environment, at the level of MTI, the representatives of the civil society will be involved in a structured, predictable and continuous framework of dialogue, which goes beyond the minimum requirements provided by Law no. 52/2003 on decisional transparency. This framework will allow citizens to actively participate in the definition, implementation and monitoring of proposed transport solutions. Citizen engagement will be proactive and will include not only occasional consultations, but also opportunities for continued participation through feedback mechanisms and updates to progress. Direct communication channels, such as online information and consultation sessions, will also be created to allow for a constant and accessible participation of citizens’ groups in the decision-making process. These mechanisms will facilitate an open dialogue, where citizens' proposals and concerns will be integrated into public policy and regulatory decisions.

Milestons | Expected Outputs | Expected Completion Date

Elaboration of the Order on the establishment and organization of the Consultative Council of the Transport Association Environment, at the level of MTI, by ministerial order | Order of the Minister and Infrastructure | July 2025

Organizing the transparent selection of representatives of the associative environment and publishing the final list | List of associations/foundations that will be part of the Consultative Council of the Transport Association Environment | July 2025-August 2025

Start of activity of the Consultative Council of the Transport Association Environment | Minutes of the meetings of the Consultative Council of the Transport Association, published on the MTI website | August 2025

Transparency and continuous participation | Creation of a dedicated Council page on the MTI website (with minutes of meetings, other relevant information, etc.). Possibility of submitting proposals from the general public to the Council. | September 2025

Organisation of at least 4 thematic sessions each year | At least 4 sessions held at Council level on topics other than the analysis of draft legislative acts Minutes of the respective meetings published in the dedicated section of the MTI website | 2026- 2027

Preparation and publication of an annual report on the Council's work and its impact on MTI policies | Annual report | Annually (by 30 January of each year at the latest)