Municipal approaches to e-participation were explored in a South African study. The study identified 3 levels of municipal ICT maturity for public participation: 1) Basic ICT provides government services online but limited participation. 2) Medium ICT maturity uses websites and email for input on policies and issues. 3) High ICT maturity uses advanced technologies like social media, online polls and document drafting to generate discussion and get public feedback on municipal issues. The study recommends municipalities match their ICT participation methods to their appropriate level of technical capacity.

1. Municipal Approaches to
e-Participation
p
17 August 2011

2. Purpose of this session
Provide a platform for exchange between
1
municipalities on the topic of e‐participation
p p p p
Introduce exploratory study on e‐
2
participation
Identify possibilities for further networking
d f bl f f h k
3
and peer learning

3. Study into the
Potential to use ICTs
A •Concepts
to Promote Inclusion
Inclusion,
Public Participation
p B • Municipal case
studies
and Accountability in C •Recommendations
Local G
L l Governance in i
South Africa, 2011
, Full report available
on http://lgict.org.za
on http://lgict org za

4. What is e-participation?
ICTs to deliver
ICTs to deliver has evolved into
has evolved into
E‐Government
public services workable systems
proven systems
The above PLUS are rare or
E‐Governance
digital democracy
di it l d relatively
l ti l
untested
e-participation = focus on use of ICTs to deepen citizens’
involvement in governance and decision-making
PARTICIPATORY LOCAL GOVERNANCE

5. Why look at e-participation in SA context?
Well-defined Constitutional,
legislative & policy framework
for public participation in local
p p p
governance
State of Local Government
Assessment Report, Oct 2009
“...breakdown in local representative
and participatory democracy”
lack of trust between citizens and their
elected representatives
“[municipalities] should avoid a
[municipalities] should avoid a
poor communication and accountability bureaucratic, technocratic, one‐
relationships between elected size‐fits all approach and be flexible,
representatives and communities
creative and imaginative in their
ti di i ti i th i
dysfunctional structures for community engagement with communities...”
participation e.g. ward committees CoGTA Dep. Min. Yunus Carrim

6. ICT-enabled participation mechanisms
hold huge potential to enhance:
• communication
• accountability
• responsiveness
• transparency
• active citizenship etc.
within the local governance sphere
barriers...
barriers
e-inclusion / connectivity / ICT literacy
Public participation functions rarely ICT enabled
ICT for PR
Wariness amongst officials and councillors of
using ICTs for accountability/transparency
i ICT f bili /
Controlling the message

7. Recommendations and models
Medium ICT High ICT Maturity
Basic ICT Maturity
Basic ICT Maturity
Maturity with start‐ with advanced e‐
(e‐government)
up e‐governance governance

8. Basic ICT Maturity Medium ICT Maturity with High ICT Maturity with
1 2 3
(e‐government) start‐up e‐governance advanced e‐governance
•Register for sms alerts of council meetings, •Logging key concerns / issues per ward to •Bi‐annual sms polls on performance of ward
standing committees, IDP representative
t di itt IDP t ti free sms number / website
f b / b it councilors
forums etc •Internet‐based ward profiles & data incl. •Monitoring of ward projects via website link to
•ICT enabled customer satisfaction surveys images key documents on intranet / municipal data
(website, sms, call centre) •Full contact details for ward councillors bases
•ICT enabled services at Multi‐purpose published on internet •Wiki facilitated joint drafting of by‐laws or
Resource (Thusong) Centres
Resource (Thusong) Centres •Registration of interested parties via web or
Registration of interested parties via web or policies by expert panels / interest groups
•Provision for online payment of taxes, email for input on key components e.g. spatial •Electronic drafts of annual report circulated to
utilities, vehicle licenses, permits etc – can be frameworks, land use plans etc registered interest groups / CSOs for comment
prior to publication
through a third party facility such as Easypay •Provision for electronic input into IDP e.g.
•Identify and register particular ‘infomediaries’
•Call centres – mainly for service issues / email, SMS or other link
for particular wards to facilitate on‐line needs
account queries •Email register of key interest groups /
analysis / service prioritisation for ward /
analysis / service prioritisation for ward /
•Sms alerts for accounts due and service advocacy bodies by topic – targeted feedback
community based planning
disruptions / other warnings on draft by‐laws, policies etc •General use of chat rooms, Wikis, mxit or other
•Making provision for key staff to use social •Website facility for public comments / social media platforms to generate discussion
media to enrich work content and access feedback on draft by‐laws, policies etc on key topics
external expertise •Publishing of Annual Report in required •On‐line feedback to municipal departments via
•User friendly searchable data base on web of
•User‐friendly searchable data base on web of format and content on municipal website
format and content on municipal website website, sms, call centre, mxit or email –
key policies, minutes and by‐laws arranged by •Provision of all information as required by specific emails for different business units / line
most relevance for service users MSA and MFMA on website departments can be created
•Creation of a Facebook municipal page and •Email updates to registered subscribers •Conduct on‐line polls on key LG issues e.g. re‐
use for public engagement on municipal during times of municipal crisis e.g. budget / naming suburbs and streets
issues cash flow crisis y g
•Ability to create ICT enabled links e.g. website
•On‐line newsletter – can be an e‐version of •Page on website summarising results of link with independent social movements,
hard copy newsletter performance assessment from Annual Report ratepayers, NGOs, organised business – such
•Free sms service for reporting crime / •On‐line provision for receiving registering & links should facilitate debate / interaction
violation of municipal by‐laws (referral, acknowledging petitions and complaints •Install webcams at council meetings enabling
response & tracking are important) those who reside far away to watch
proceedings at a municipal library. School
di t i i l lib S h l
children could also watch these meetings as
part of the Life Orientation curriculum.
Short – Medium Term Medium – Long Term Long Term

9. Some questions...
• How to enable greater sharing of experiences
How to enable greater sharing of experiences
and expertise between municipalities w.r.t e‐
participation?
• What kind of support do municipalities
What kind of support do municipalities
need/want?
• Municipalities interested in piloting e‐
participation innovations?
participation innovations?