Develop and implement Standards for Public Participation in decision-making of Vinnytsia City Council (Standards), which cover the participation of citizens and their organizations in the decision-making process (UAVNT0001)

Commitment ID

UAVNT0001

Commitment Title

Develop and implement Standards for Public Participation in decision-making of Vinnytsia City Council (Standards), which cover the participation of citizens and their organizations in the decision-making process

Problem

Ukraine is on the path of democratic transformations and is gradually building a strong and active civil society. One of the main tasks on this path is the cooperation of citizens with local authorities to resolve urgent issues of both national and local importance, which can be implemented through the introduction of direct forms of citizens' participation in local self-governance. That is why the issue of citizen participation in decision-making at the local level is relevant. The public is increasingly being offered the opportunity to participate in decision-making where strategies, plans, programs and other legal instruments are being prepared. The community and local authorities can benefit most from such a participation when a public participation is based on the partnership and mutual responsibility. It can be ensured by the application of standards aimed at maximizing the effectiveness of public participation. The formation of Vinnytsia City Territorial Community requires new solutions in all spheres of community life, including ensuring transparency, publicity and accountability of community authorities. In order to implement strategic priorities, it is necessary to implement mechanisms and tools of open governance and direct democracy, involving civil society institutions in cooperation and partnership. The development and implementation of Standards of public participation will be a good example for Ukrainian cities on the path to building open governance.

Status quo

In 2020, the sociological group "Rating" conducted the All-Ukrainian municipal survey commissioned by the IRI with the support of the USAID. For the sixth year in a row, Vinnytsia was recognized as a leader among regional centers in terms of residents' satisfaction with the quality of 22 areas and services. Vinnytsia residents are also most satisfied with the cooperation with the local authorities, compared to residents of other cities. In Vinnytsia, it is one of the highest indicators of approval of the Mayor and City Council's activities - 70% and 68%. 71% of Vinnytsia residents believe that things are going in the right direction in the city. Moreover, 55% of Vinnytsia residents approve activities of city public organizations. 71% of citizens consent to volunteers's work. At the same time, Analytical Center CEDOS has conducted a study of the interaction between CSOs and the local authorities, in which one of the issues highlighted is the low level of real impact of CSOs on city policy and sectoral strategies. All these studies demonstrate that when the territorial community highly appreciates the activities of authorities and CSOs, it is necessary to implement tools aimed at cooperation, partnership and mutual trust between the local authorities and the community.

Action

The development of Standards of Public Participation in Vinnytsia City Council Decision-Making provides an innovative document structure: a list of control questions to assess whether the standards have been met and includes the development of standards for the effectiveness of public involvement policies. The development of the commitment envisages the involvement of the Working Group for the Implementation of the Open Government Partnership Initiative and the City of Contents Civil Society Network (47 NGOs). The whole process will be accompanied by consultations with the coordinators and mentors of the OGP - Local.

The implementation of the Standards of Public Participation in Decision-Making of Vinnytsia City Council will promote the understanding of different opinions and coordination of interests; increase the quality and transparency of decisions; strengthen decision-making which social benefits will only become apparent in the long run; strengthen the identification of citizens both by decisions and by the territories where they live; strengthen people's confidence in local authorities and provide a broader basis for decision-making for political and administrative decision-makers; create a broad approach to the formation of opinions; will help avoid delays and additional costs in the implementation of strategies, plans and programs, thereby optimizing the use of resources.

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

The community and local self-government will benefit most from public participation based on partnership and mutual responsibility, from the application of standards aimed at maximizing the effectiveness of public participation, and the use of mechanisms to influence local government decision-making by the public. Public participation will help build an atmosphere of trust between local authorities and the public.Public participation is intensifying; it will make participants interested and development processes and participation projects dynamic. Public participation will increase mutual respect between government and the community, as well as among citizens.

Participatory processes are common learning processes and will therefore increase awareness. Public participation will make common the values and moods of the city territorial community, their interests and needs. Public participation will help to understand different points of view and solve problems, and improve the flow of information. It will encrease awareness of Vinnytsia City Council to the public needs. Public participation will contribute to innovative solutions, because all participants offer their knowledge, their practical experience and their creativity. Public participation will contribute to the development of strategies and programs, long-term solutions, and thus ensure the sustainability of planning.

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

The development and implementation of Standards fully complies with the main strategic document of Vinnytsia City Territorial Community - Strategy 3.0. The commitment of the Action Plan will be guided by the strengthening of public participation. The principles of Strategy 3.0 include “Involvement and cooperation – the public is maximally involved in the development of key decisions and their implementation, in particular with the widespread use of various forms of participatory democracy. Active participation of community residents, cooperation of various stakeholders to achieve common goals of the city development contributes to the integration and establishment of Vinnytsia as a strong community.” Also, the development of open government is part of the strategic vision of the Strategy of Partnership Between Civil Society Institutions and Vinnytsia City Council: “CSOs are organizationally capable and institutionally developed, they are professional and expert in their fields of activity. CSOs are reliable partners of VCC in the development and solution of the needs of community and its inhabitants. City Council provides CSOs with financial, resource and information support for the implementation of their activities. CSOs and VCC interact systematically by engaging CSOs in the development and implementation of local policies, through transparent interaction mechanisms. Interaction is based on equality, transparency, voluntary participation and mutual responsibility.”

Primary Policy Area

Inclusion, Right to Information, Social Accountability

Primary Sector

Citizenship & Immigration

What OGP value is this commitment relevant to?