Initiative #4 – Civic Participation through Digital Technologies

Rationale

Digital transformation presents a unique opportunity to strengthen the connection between citizens and the public decision-making process, promoting a more participatory and accessible democracy for all.

The European Declaration on Digital Rights and Principles for the Digital Decade reaffirms the commitment to the "best use of digital technologies to stimulate people's engagement and democratic participation” (European Commission, 2023).

This commitment involves the promotion of digital technologies as a means to encourage active citizen participation in democratic life.

The process  entails the creation and implementation of accessible, inclusive and secure digital platforms that encourage public engagement in decision-making processes. The objective is to improve transparency and ensure universal access to information and engagement in civic activities.

Details

The promotion and strengthening of digital civic participation platforms is a key priority, with participa.gov.pt being highlighted as a vital resource for fostering citizen participation in public decision-making. The objective is to encourage more citizens to participate actively in discussions about public policies and decisions that affect the country.

The development of new features and capabilities for the participa.gov.pt platform, with the aim of enhancing its intuitiveness and interactivity.

Awareness-raising actions will be conducted to promote digital civic participation, encouraging citizens to learn about and employ these means to engage in discussions and decisions that shape the future of the country.

Support for ongoing projects that are aimed at reinforcing civic participation in digital settings. This includes the integration of emerging technologies into civic participation processes.