Simon Delakorda from the Institute for Electronic Participation in Slovenia presented on lessons learned from case studies of eDemocracy initiatives in Slovenia. He discussed two case studies: an NGO portal for the EU Council Presidency that aimed to increase information for NGOs but had little policy impact, and an online citizens forum for the European elections that engaged a small number of participants. Overall, he noted that eParticipation initiatives are more political than technical and depend on the development of civic culture, and that combining online and offline participation is important for effectiveness.

1. International Conference
Towards Information Society in South East Europe:
The Role of eDemocracy
19th May 2009 Belgrade, Serbia
Lessons Learned from Case Studies
in Slovenia
Simon Delakorda
Institute for Electronic Participation (INePA)
Ljubljana
19th of May 2009 Institute for Electronic Participation 1

2. Empirical Facts
19th of May 2009 Institute for Electronic Participation 2

3. 19th of May 2009 Institute for Electronic Participation 3

4. Lessons from NGOs sector

NGOs e-participation portal for the EU Council
Presidency
www.predsedovanje.si/en

On-line Citizens forum for the European
elections 2009
www.evropske-volitve.si
19th of May 2009 Institute for Electronic Participation 4

5. 19th of May 2009 Institute for Electronic Participation 5

6. 
Content available increased NGOs information regarding
the Presidency but its impact on policy-making during the
Presidency was insignificant.

The Predsedovanje.si portal was not recognized among
the NGOs.

Lacked stronger connection with live events during the
presidency and on-line debates and polls involved a
small number of participants.

Not utilized on proper scale because of a limited financial
and staffing capacities of the NGOs, limited knowledge
on EU policies, decision-making processes and lack of
the interest for participation.

Low level of government feedback on on-line debates
reports.
19th of May 2009 Institute for Electronic Participation 6

7. 19th of May 2009 Institute for Electronic Participation 7

9. Back to the Future...

eParticipation initiatives brings more politics and social related
issues then technical ones

eParticipation effects depends from development of a political
culture and active citizenship within a polity

political elites in Slovenia understand eParticipation as a PR

eParticipation has to be efficient (it is not a profitable market
category and is very demanding in terms of resources)

combining on-line and off-line participation

evaluation of results (methodology and justification)

the role of NGOs as a eParticipation facilitators

eParticipation requires passion and emotions related to the
improvement of the quality of our every day lives
19th of May 2009 Institute for Electronic Participation 9

10. Thank you
Institute for Electronic Participation - INePA
Povšetova ulica 37, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
P: +386 41 365 529
www.inepa.si / www.inepa.eu
Simon Delakorda
Executive Director
simon.delakorda@inepa.si
19th of May 2009 Institute for Electronic Participation 10