Press Release: eParticipation

The EU is taking the lead in using on-line tools to improve the legislative process for its citizens. The eParticipation Preparatory Action which launched on 1st January 2007 will run as a series of linked projects which each contribute to a greater awareness and involvement by citizens in the legislation process right from the initial drafting through to its implementation at a regional and local level.

The individual projects will concentrate on ensuring that the legislative language and process is more transparent, understandable and accessible to the citizen. In addition the projects emphasis on the communication of legislation will be used to enhance and grow citizen’s involvement and contribution in the process of creating and thereafter implementing the legislation.

The eParticipation Action will coordinate the 6 projects which in turn will each contribute towards different stages of the full life-cycle of the legislative process. The key theme throughout will be to ensure that online tools are identified which lead to an increased citizen involvement.

Overall the projects will run for upto 18 months and involve participants from 12 Member States, 5 Parliaments, 6 Local Authorities and a number of linked associations and universities.

For further information on the projects, check the pages for the appropriate project.

Contact for the ePacticipation Preparatory Action:

Thanassios Chrissafis,
DG INFSO unit H2 eGovernment & CIP Operations
Athanassios.Chrissafis@ec.europa.eu
tel: +32 2 296 88 77
fax: +32 2 296 41 14
http://ec.europa.eu/information_society/activities/egovernment_research/eparticipation

For more information about the eParticipation initiative, please visit the eParticipation website