1. The Memorandum of Co-operation between Non-Governmental Organisations
and the Cabinet of Ministers
Latvia
Dita Erna Sīle
15 May 2017

2. PARTICIPATION STATISTICS (2015)
168
Advisory Councils
997
NGOs in Advisory Councils
PARTICIPATION STATISTICS (2015)
207
Public consultation meetings
164
Regulation and policy document projects discussed in Councils
120
Written public consultations
266
Working groups on singular regulation or policy document projects
716
NGO opinions received within official decision-making process

3. STATE CHANCELLERY
Support the work of the Prime Minister and the Cabinet of Ministers, including coordination and monitoring of implementation of their decisions
Public administration reform and public administration human resources policy
Centralised selection of heads of state institutions
Development programme for top managers
Informing society about the work of the Prime Minister and the Cabinet of Ministers and democratic values
Coordination and implementation of selected projects supported by EU Structural funds
Secretariat of the National Tripartite Cooperation Council and The Memorandum of Co-operation between Non-Governmental Organisations Council

4. MEMORANDUM – BREAKING SILOS
Introduced in 2005 based on NGO initiative
Signed between the Cabinet (direct public administration) and NGOs
It aims to promote effective work of the public administration in the public interest and to ensure the involvement of civil society in the government’s decision-making process
The Memorandum is the main co-operation platform between government and NGOs in Latvia
Participation is free and open for any registered NGO

5. THE COUNCIL FOR IMPLEMENTATION
The Council equally represents both the public administration and NGOs
8 representatives from each side
Chairperson: Director of the State Chancellery
Co-chairperson: elected representative from NGOs
Meetings each month
Transmitted live; agendas, videos and minutes publicly available
Public administration experts and NGO representatives can participate without voting rights
Secretariat: the State Chancellery

6. MEETING OF THE COUNCIL
VIDEO

7. THE COUNCIL AT WORK Discussions on
Co-operation issues and challenges faced during stakeholder engagement process
Assessment of NGO participation in the drafting of regulations and policy planning documents, and implementation of policies affecting NGOs
Issues raised by NGOs on problems in certain sectors
Decisions of the Memorandum are in form of recommendations, but in practice the Council is used as a mechanism to obtain the opinion of NGOs
NGO representatives of the Council:
Participate in advisory capacity at the decision making process
Delegate representatives for different thematic participatory formations
Annual NGO conference organised on topical issues

8. MAIN ACHIEVEMENTS
The intensity and quality of the Council's work have increased over time
The discussions result in concrete solutions
Rules of Procedure of the Cabinet of Ministers: horizontal NGO issues before deliberation at the Cabinet must be examined at the Council
Advice provided by NGOs are translated into policy planning documents, draft legal acts or legislative amendments
The Council helps to find settlements to problems by collaborating with officials of public institutions

9. Thank You Dita Erna Sīle
Deputy Head of the Department for Public Administration Policy
Head of the Change Management Division
State Chancellery of the Republic of Latvia
Phone:
www:
Twitter: /Brivibas36
Facebook: /valdibasmaja
YouTube: /valstskanceleja
Flickr: /valstskanceleja
Instagram: /Brivibas36