Konrad DWOJAK Junior Project Coordinator

1. Empowering citizens to influence the decision making and policy formulation on environmental issues eMPOWER Konrad DWOJAK Junior Project Coordinator POLITECH INSTITUTE (European Center of Political Technologies) konradd@politech-institute.eu www.ep-empower.eu

2. Overview • eMPOWER Overview • eMPOWER Concept • eMPOWER Objectives • eMPOWER Specific Activities • eMPOWER Scenario • eMPOWER Impact • eMPOWER Petitions • eMPOWER Features

3. eMPOWER Overview • Project’s website: www.ep-empower.eu • Start Date: January 2009 • Duration: 24 months (2 years) (+ 1 month) • Co-funded by the EC under eParticipation Preparatory Support Action • Pilot Countries: Portugal, Italy, Greece

4. eMPOWER Concept • eMPOWER aims to “motivate and strengthen the involvement of NGOs and citizens in the decision-making process on environmental issues at a National and European” level by providing method and tools for supporting citizens’ participation and collection of signatures to promote relevant public initiatives and demands of civil society

5. eMPOWER Objectives Establishing the relevant eMPOWERnetwork Establishing a cross-border communication area Strengthening and enhancing transparency & accessibility of dialogue and petitioning Enhancing cooperation and promoting actions for the establishment of a commonly accepted Environmental policy Increasing Awareness

6. eMPOWER Specific Activities • Identification of Critical Environmental Issues of common interest among the countries by the three NGOs following the EU environmental priorities and after a consultation with a number of key environmental groups and experts • Definition of ePetitioning processes in order to ensure transparency and stimulate active citizen participation; • Definition of Code of Conduct and Moderation Activity plan • Definition of dissemination and promotional activity plan of the eMPOWER platform • Establishment of a link with the representatives of National and European Environmental Committees, MPs, MEPs and other EU decision-makers in order to promote and bring forward the results of such initiative

7. eMPOWER Scenario

8. eMPOWER brings together a consortium of 9 partners… IT providers, & Academiaexperts NGOs National Agencies

9. eMPOWER Impact Connect citizens to the European political process Provide important citizen feedback on environmental policy Create better legislation due to more informed decision-making & strengthen representative democracy Engage ‘hard to reach’ citizens as well as those already interested in the system

10. eMPOWER’s Petitions • Total of 8 petitions • Signatures • English: 545 • Greece: 2,157 • Portugal: 971 • Italy: 1,605 • Total # of signatures: 5,278

11. eMPOWER’s Petitions (2) • Topics: • Biodiversity • Climate Change • GMOs • Sea & Coast • Waste Management • Water Management

12. eMPOWER’s Features • EcoNews • Forum • Blogs • Community Groups

14. Join us! http://on.fb.me/ep-empower Or visit www.ep-empower.eu http://twitter.com/ep_empower http://linkd.in/ep_empower

15. Thank you! Konrad DWOJAK Junior Project Coordinator POLITECH INSTITUTE (European Center of Political Technologies) konradd@politech-institute.eu