INCREASING CITIZENS’ PARTICIPATION: GONG experiences Novum Forum, Otočec, November 5, 2009

GONG: MISSION GONG is a non-partisan citizens' organization founded in 1997 to encourage citizens to take active participation in political processes. GONG conducts - non-partisan monitoring of election process - educates citizens about their rights and duties - encourages mutual communication between citizens and their elected representatives - promotes transparency of work within public services - manages public advocacy campaigns and - encourages and helps citizens in self-organizing initiatives

THE BEGINNING  1997 – GONG initiative  1998 – Registration as a non-profit organization & first legal election monitoring campaign  Campaign “We the citizens are observing”, GONG's Orange Amendment, 7000 election observers- volunteers  2000 – Milestone (new programs, organizational development) 2003 – “The Golden Coat of Arms”, Parliament award for achievements in the development of parliamentary democracy, the strengthening of democracy, promotion of tolerance, and the protection of human rights in Croatia.

CURRENT PROGRAMS Election System Program MAIN GOAL: ACHIEVING HIGH DEMOCRATIC STANDARDS OF THE CROATIAN ELECTORAL SYSTEM WHICH ENSURE TRANSPARENCY AND POLITICAL PARTICIPATION OF ALL INFORMED STAKEHOLDERS Good Governance Program MAIN GOAL: ACHIEVING HIGH STANDARDS IN GOVERNING OF INTITUTIONS AND POLITICAL AUTHORITY REPRESENTATIVES WHO DISTINGUISH THEMSELVES BY HONESTY, RESPONSIBILITY AND OPENNESS TO THE PUBLIC Active Citizens Program MAIN GOAL: PROMOTING ACTIVISM, EDUCATING AND INSTIGATING CITIZENS AND CSOs TO ACTIVISM AND COOPERATION International Cooperation Program MAIN GOAL: EXCHANGE AND TRANSFER OF KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE WITH SIMILAR (KINDRED) CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZATIONS AND INSTITUTIONS IN OTHER COUNTRIES

Election System Program Citizens’ Education - educating citizens about the election process, the electoral rights, and the significance of particular elections and bodies the elections are carried out for - encouraging, organizing and educating Croatian citizens to monitor elections as domestic, non-partisan observers in order to prevent and/or reveal malpractices in the election law and its regulation, and to report to the public and build citizens’ trust and confidence in election process SO FAR… eleven nationwide civic education campaigns dozens of educational TV and radio clips handbooks, newsletters, posters, leaflets and brochures info line, website GONG is STILL, in large, the only entity that conducts voters’ education activities State Election Commission (SEC) and Central Administration Office (now the Ministry) improved their communication and information of public (website, SMS, media)

I vote for the first time

Election System Program Education of Youngest Voters - “I vote for the first time” - introducing and informing youngest voters on their voting rights and the importance of their involvement and participation in democratic processes - in the form of interactive workshops in high schools - complement the existing educational program SO FAR… nine seasons of the project students participated in workshops 80% of all high schools in Croatia in Council of Europe’s "Young Active Citizens" Award Contest: “I vote for the first time” won the award as the second best project further challenge: improve existing school curriculum; new workshops about EU citizenship

Good Governance Program Citizens’ Hour - meetings between citizens and their elected representatives, but also experts and other officials on both local and national levels - in a form of public meeting or radio talk show ACCHIEVED… more than 1000 “Citizens’ Hours” throughout Croatia more than citizens attending public meetings more than 3000 guests developing a brand…

Good Governance Program Initiatives aimed at securing the more enabling environment for civil society organizations’ work and possibilities for their participation in the decision making processes - GONG permanently carries out different ad-hoc initiatives aimed to contribute to civil society development, better inclusion of and consultations with CSOs and interested public, alone or in partnership with other CSOs - Advocacy Network TO NAME A FEW… Development of volunteerism Law on pro bono legal aid Public benefit organizations – developing criteria Code of good practice on consultations between the Government and interested public (CSOs) in decision making processes Equal treatment of all non-profit organizations Improvement of financial provisions for CSOs

Thank you! Sandra Pernar GONG Trg bana Jelacica 15/IV, HR Zagreb T: +385 (0) F: +385 (0)