Citizens participation in decision making processes – local context – Technical Assistance for Civil Society Organisations Regional Office This project is funded by the European Union.

Local context: Information and civil society participation Providing regular and updated information's regarding central / local policies, strategic planning, agendas, public hearings and budget expenditures. Accessible approaches/ deliveries by the GO incorporates: Information office, periodic bulletins, brochures, electronic and printed media, openness on monitoring and watchdog by CSOs, e-government, providing accessible documents in time. Discussion: At what level is the environment where there is sufficient ground for sufficient information gathering in time enabled by central/local authorities at your country level? Technical Assistance for Civil Society Organisations Regional Office This project is funded by the European Union.

Case study: Opening of Offices for Public Information in Albania ( country and municipal level ): Challenges and obstacles in creating opportunities for citizen’s information from local authorities in Albania Opening of the office for public information in Tirana, Albania Technical Assistance for Civil Society Organisations Regional Office This project is funded by the European Union.

Establishment of the offices for public information in Albania The first office for public information was opened in 1998 Now more than 16 offices operate in full or partial capacity in the local level 6 offices operate at the central level The main donors who supported the establishment of offices: USAID, SIDA, SOROS etc. Technical Assistance for Civil Society Organisations Regional Office This project is funded by the European Union.

Opening of the first office for public information in Tirana – a new experience Opening date: 3 February 2003 Citizens are provided by services carried by 12 municipality officers Citizens come on a daily basis to get standard information and to apply with standard forms required for processing documentation Citizens could appeal through the office Citizens can get information on strategic planning and budgetary expenses Technical Assistance for Civil Society Organisations Regional Office This project is funded by the European Union.

Lack of public information – one of the biggest obstacles in Albania The main obstacles: Legacy of the previous political system: hesitation in sharing documentation Lack of strategy for sharing information and communication Lack of reforms in judiciary system Lack of necessary infrastructure Untrained staff Lack of resources ( financial and technological ) Technical Assistance for Civil Society Organisations Regional Office This project is funded by the European Union.

The role of the office for public information in developing governmental capacities in Albania Improvement in governmental strategy Improvement of political agenda Feedback from citizens Indicators of government performance Effectiveness in service delivery Improvement in internal and external communication Participation in finding the best solutions in relation to public service Technical Assistance for Civil Society Organisations Regional Office This project is funded by the European Union.

Local context: Consultation in decision making process Consultative decision making has, as its foundation, the theory that collective intelligence creates and implements better solutions than authorities alone. Consultative decision making can be used in all matters and is implicitly or explicitly related to a wide range of topics concerning citizens participation and consultative decision making provides important inputs throughout participatory processes. Discussion: At what level is the environment where there is sufficient ground for consultation levels of participation between GO and CSOs at your country level? Technical Assistance for Civil Society Organisations Regional Office This project is funded by the European Union.

Local context: Dialogue in decision making process Opportunity for citizens to express their views on the community policies and central/local administrative effectiveness. Participation in policy strategies through helping to implement the processes that incorporate the dialogue as a part of decision making. Discussion: At what level is the environment where there is sufficient ground for dialogue between GO and CSOs at your country level? Technical Assistance for Civil Society Organisations Regional Office This project is funded by the European Union.

Local context: Partnership in decision making process This is the highest level of civil society engagement in decision making processes. This level needs to be understood as a mutual level of cooperation between Government, CSOs and other potential stakeholders. The successful partnership is reached only where there is sufficient willingness of authorities to engage civil society representatives in joint decision making. Within the partnership agreements, roles and responsibilities are clearly defined in the process. Discussion: At what level is the environment where there is sufficient ground for partnership between GO and CSOs at your country level? Technical Assistance for Civil Society Organisations Regional Office This project is funded by the European Union.