E-participation & Online services in Czech municipalities

1. E-participation & Online services in Czech municipalities Union of Towns and Municipalities of the Czech Republic (SMO CR) Jaroslav Šolc

2. Content • 1. Facts about the CR and municipalities • 2. About the Union of Towns and Municipalities of the CR - SMO CR • 3. KISMO – also ICT for eCitizen / eParticipation • 4. Examples • 5. Conclusions, challenges

3. 1. Facts about the Czech Republic and municipalities

4. Czech Republic • Population: 10.5 mil. • Area: 79 000 sq. km. • Capital city: Prague • Rich history, culture ... • Democracy since 1918 (interrupted 1938 ... 1989) • Since 2004 member of the EU

5. Public administration in the CR • Territorial self-government - 2 levels • 14 regions • 6.2 thousand municipalities • Municipalities • Self-government (all 6.2 thous.), Capital City of Prague 57 MDelected bodies (Council, - Board*, - Mayor)local administration (offices)independent competence • State administration – executed by authorities (municipal offices), 3 categories • With delegated powers (205 municipalities, Category III) • With authorised municipal office (other 388 municipalities, Category II) • Other municipalities (Category I, in some cases with registry office, building authority)

6. Category I • All municipalities • Municipal ordinances, offences, water mgmt etc. • Some of them registry office, building authority Total 6249 III II I 388 205 • Category III • 205 municipalities with delegated powers: • Competencies of CI + CII and: • driving licences, registration of vehicles, road mgmt. (2,3), identity cards, trade licensing, social alowances, environmental mgmt. (forests, nature, air) etc. • Category II • 388 municipalities with authorised office: • Competencies of CI and: • registry office, building authority, elections, selected agendas on environment, etc. Delegated Powers and Categorisation of Municipalities Number Competencies (and territory) • Stipulated by special laws

7. Independent competence of municipalities • Based on Act on municipalities and special laws* • Self-government (decisions by Council), e.g.: • Management of the municipality • Budget and financial issues • Legal persons, organisations • Local regulations • Local referendum • Development plan and its implementation • Investments, infrastructure • Local fees* • Fire prevention * • Establishment of schools* • Basic healthcare, socialcare*

8. Municipalities • Towns (559) and municipalities (5690) • Specific status: chartered cities (24 incl. Prague) – can establish municipal districts, lead by Lord Mayor • Size - statistics: • Max. 1,18 mil. inhabitants (Prague), area 496 km2 • Min. 20 inhabitans area 0.42 km2 • Average 1 646 inhabitants area 12.7 km2

9. Size – number of municipalities Categories by number of inhabitants

10. Size – number of inhabitants Categories by number of inhabitants

11. 2. About the Union of Towns and Municipalities of the Czech Republic (SMO ČR)

12. What is SMO ČR • National association of towns and municipalities • Voluntary • Non-political • Non-governmental • History – over 100 years • Roots: October 1907 • Modern restoration: January 1990 – constituent congress (restoration of democratic authonomy after 1989) • Members • Approx. 2 500 municipalities(42% of municipalities in the CR, represents 75% of the citizens)

13. Mission and objectives of SMO ČR • Advocate and promote interests of local governments at national and European level through unified and coordinated approach • Main objectives: • Promotion of local democracy in the Czech Republic and the EU • Partner of the government, Parliament of the CR and the EU institutions in the legislative process • Promotion of the interests and rights of local authorities • Strengthening of the economic independence of LG • Experience sharing, best practices • Promotion of training of elected representatives and employees of LG

14. Bodies of the Union • The Assembly – the supreme body (each 2 years) • The Council (101 embers)– control and supervision (2 per year) • The Audit Committee • The Executive Board (11 members)- ensures operative activity (4-5 per year)- professional committees (finance, legislative, social, public safety, housing, energy, transport, environment, information society, education, international relations …) • 3 Chambers- chartered cities, towns, municipalities • Office of the Union Chairman Oldřich Vlasák City of Hradec Králové MEP Executive vice-chair Jaromír Jech Head of the Office

15. SMO ČR = relevant partner • CR: National Government • Government is obliged to consult legislation that has impact on municipalities • Agreement on co-operation between national government and SMO (signed in July 2005) • European Charter of LG are a part of Czech legislation • A number of MPs, MEPs and Senators have a municipal background • Association of Regions of the CR (AKČR) • Association of Secrtetaries of Towns and Municipalities (STMOÚ) • Association of Local Governments (SMS) • EU: active member of Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR)

16. Communication, analyses, publications • www.smocr.cz

17. 3. KISMO – also ICT for eCitizen / eParticipation

18. Expert Committee for Information Society of the SMOCR (KISMO) Structure of personnel: representatives of local governments based on SMO CR bodies (3 x 3, each chamber, 1 from municipal districts) other experts (advisory role) Now ca 20 regular participants Chairman now Cyril Čapka Topic: Information society and eGovernment. Including economic development and competitiveness of cities and municipalities based on accessible ICT infrastructure, digital data, effective processes, electronic services – for all citizens. Local interests in central/national activities and ICT projects Chair of the KISMO Cyril Čapka Praha 2 18

19. Activities of the KISMO – National Government Observations to new strategic documents (Smart Amdinistration, Programming docs for SF) Comments and positions legislation (eGovernment Act, Basic Registers,) Impacts of central projects (infrastracture, Czech POINT, Basic Registers, Digital map of PA, Technology centers, Cash Register) New duties x financing, interoperability, standards etc. Communication with national government (MV CR and other ministries and authorities) ICT use in self-government competencies (with/without financial support) Projects funded from EU funds (Structural funds, IOP/OPLZZ, Community Programmes) 2010: Memorandum on eGovernment Development (roles of state x selfgovernment/LRG) 19

20. ICT topics: national x local govs InfrastructureBroadband for all (municipalities, citizens?). Innovative services (mobility). PPP and other models. Data and systemsAccess to national registers, data warehouses. Elektronic documents and communication. Geographic data and GIS. Interoperability. Shared data and services. Processes, standards, methodologyAnalyses (before implementation). Standards (open, recommended by state). Pilot/model solutions. Support of mamagement (strategies, projects). UsersCapacity building, training (public administration, citizens). eInclusion. eParticipation/eDemocracy. Supporting activitiesKnowledge and experience sharing. Best practices. Benchmarking/benchlearning. Awarding. Partnerships (LRG, universities, private companies – living labs, clustering. 20

21. Experience sharing – CR Conferences ISSS/LORIS/V4DIS Hradec Králové MRI/KRI, ePraha Workshop of CIO from Cities (category III) EEEGov Days Benchmarking Cities Towards Information Society Analyses Competitions, awards Zlatý erb (Golden Crest), Eurocrest, JuniorErb The Best (practices) 21

22. Experience sharing – EU CEMR – Policy Group for Information Society and eGovernment ELANET - conference EISCO – Digital Local Agenda Digital Local Agenda: eParticipation, eInclusion, Broadband access for all, Secure digital local networks, Advanced local services EUROCITIES - Knowledge Society Forum eRights Charter: Right to access, education and training, information and services on-line, participation on-line Broadband Manifesto, Green Digital Charter, SMART CITIES Other networks – GCD, Eris@, .... projects 22 22

23. 4. Examples

24. Act No. 106/1999 Code „Free Access to information“ • Anti-corruption measures Set of available information from public authorities (e.g. websites) • Name, constitution(Bank acccount, ID number) • Organisational structureContacts • Guide for remedies, complaints • Guide further info requirements • Terms, charges • Regulation, directives (strategy, budget ...) • Report on providing info • Evaluation criterion of the Golden Crest competition

25. Project INFOLIGA • NGO – Otevřená společnost (Open society), www.otevrete.cz • Evaluation of transparency, benchmarking • Availability on websites of local & regional governments • decision making (docs)budget, strategies, notice board, public tenders • structurelegislationlocal authority meetingsvotingcourse of meetingannoucementsconsultation, inquiry • 179 participants

26. Project OTEVŘENO / ZAVŘENO(OPEN / CLOSED) • NGO – Otevřená společnost (Open society), www.otevrete.cz • Award (2011, 11th annual volume) • Good practoce x Bad practice • Public nominations • Features • Access to information • Transparent public tenders • Free and balanced informing • Participation of citizens • 2010 OPEN: Lanškroun (city council info), Brno (newsletter), Most (public tenders)CLOSED: Prague (Opencard project), Lesy ČR (delayed info), Znojmo (pressure on complaining person)

27. Documentation of local authority meeting (City Council/Aseembly) • Terms, programme • Decisions, background documents(search tools) • Written record, voting • Discussion • Interpellation (written answers) • On-line broadcasting

28. Discussuion, Questions / Answers • Discussion Forum on website • On homepage? Topics • Management? Experince with vulgar and abusive comments • Preferred QACombination with info line (phone),

29. Public consultations, inquiry • In some case required by legislatione.g. Land-use plan, Strategic noise map • Voluntary: Local Agenda 214 regions, ca 120 municipalitiescategories:beginners, D – B (A) • Often: Inquiry, questionnaire (feedback)

30. Public control, participation • eServices, complaints - feedback • Public space – clean municipality • Praha 6 – Local MMS-inglocal system - MMS to authorityAwarded by Zaty Erb 2007 • Prague 2 – Čistá Dvojka (Clean 2)messages from map

31. Community building • Schools, social care/seniorsculture facilities/centres • Mostly indirect support • Co-organisation of events (culture, sport, environment ...) • Promotion, advertising • Granting programmes, financial support (NGO, cit.assoc.) • Social networks(municipality on facebook)

32. 5. Conclusions, challenges

33. Conclusions Infrastructure, local governments websites Citizens use ICT also in contact with local governments Existing legislation framework and political will for transparency (competition) Benchmarking, competition, awards, best practices Channels for experience sharing Prevailing bottom-up approach (unsufficient support from central government/sources) Reserves in citizens´ activity (self-government role) 33

34. Challenges Infrastructure – broadband, mobility, integrated multichannel approach eServices – standard channel, attractive, flexible, trusted Legislation – enables to improve services (not defines) More active approach from local authorities More publicity International experience sharing Support form national government (analyses, benchmarking, best practices) Activation of citizens (individual, organized) 34

35. Thank you for attention! • Jaroslav Šolcjaroslav.solc@siks.cz+ 420 724112525 • SMO ČR: www.smocr.cz