eConsultation tools

Description:
Web applications designed for consultations which allow a stakeholder to provide information on an issue and others to answer specific questions and/or submit open comments.

eParticipation areas:

• Consultation

Stage policy cycle: Appropriate stage in policy cycle: (2) policy formulation [analysis + information], (3) decision-making


Specials:
A clear ‘conditions of use’ statement is required which can be followed by all participants. Besides it should be described (and planned before starting) how the results will be used for the further political process, a commitment of the political authorities is helpful. The tool typically allows the consultation owner to design different types of consultations, allows information about participants to be gathered, and may also allow for feedback to be provided. Staff time and skills are required to moderate, support and facilitate any discussion as a part of the consultation. Content analysis skills to analyse contributions and produce reports to embed the results into the political process and to give feed-back to the users. Registration is usually necessary


Channel:
Mainly via internet and PC.

Evaluation:
It is possible to have inbuilt evaluation data collection mechanisms (e.g. exit questionnaires, ability to generate web-usage statistics)

Additions:
http://www.demos-project.org/index_demos_in_hamburg.html http://www.madridparticipa.es/