Page 95 - Reference framework for integrated management of an SSC - A U4SSC deliverable on city platforms

The Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, in its articles 41 and 42, recognizes the
right of European citizens to good administration and free access to the documents contained in
the European institutions.

The success of transparency policies depends on information being accessible and available to
all users. A public policy is transparent if it is understandable, if the information is available, and
access to public information is guaranteed. The protection of applicants' data is safeguarded if
accountability is clear, and citizens know what role they play in that policy.

At the same time, these benefits can be transferred perfectly to a tourism context, where an SME
will greatly profit from an open communication channel through which it could obtain information
related to the city’s transition and digital dimension, the agenda of activities (e.g., meetings, training
sessions, workshops), performance indicators of the city such as its carbon footprint, and open
data related to the company itself.

6.2.9 Citizen Participation Portal

The Participation Portal must promote collaboration between citizens, political groups, the business
fabric, and the social ecosystem of cities.

This space is the place to listen to the opinions and contributions of citizens on the government's
proposals, its regulatory projects, or its plans. A communication channel through its web spaces
to disseminate its proposals and opinions to citizens.

It thus reinforces dialogue, transparency and closeness, as well as the democratic values of cities,
promoting participation channels to make them more accessible and open. And at the same time,
it promotes the use of face-to-face and digital media that increase participation and facilitate the
maximum diversity of participants, adapting the channels of participation to the plurality and
complexity of the people who share the cities.

Among the main characteristics of a participation portal are:

• Debates: Anyone can open discussion threads on any topic, creating independent spaces where
people can discuss the proposed topic.

• Proposals: A space for anyone to create a citizen proposal and gather support. The proposals
that reach enough support go to a vote to decide whether or not the issues that matter to us
should be carried out.

• Participatory budgets: Allow citizens to propose directly and decide how to spend part of the
budget, with rigorous monitoring and evaluation of the proposals by the institution – maximum
effectiveness and control of resources with the greatest satisfaction for all.

• Voting: Secure voting systems for citizen proposals and for issues proposed by the institution.
It allows citizens to decide easily, from their mobile, on the most important issues.

Reference framework for integrated management of an SSC | June 2023 81