Title: Challenges and barriers in implementing e-participation tools. One year of experience from implementing Gov2demoss in 64 municipalities in Spain

Authors: E. Karamagioli, V. Koulolias

Addresses: Gov2u, Anavriton 20, Marousi, Athens – Greece PC 15124, Greece. ' Gov2u, Anavriton 20, Marousi, Athens – Greece PC 15124, Greece

Abstract: ICT tools are empowering citizens| ability to influence governance by making their voices heard. Participatory tools have become standard e-participation features for enabling citizens and civil society organisations to influence policy and to participate more substantively in advocacy. Although such initiatives are implemented with enthusiasm, we argue that local authorities need to decide which tools to use in which contexts and how to combine those tools to enable inclusive engagement. The overall objective of this paper is to present challenges and barriers in implementing Gov2demoss e-participation platform in 64 municipalities in Catalonia in the framework of the Consensus project.

Keywords: e-democracy; e-participation; open source; e-government; democratic deficit; electronic democracy; electronic participation; open source; electronic government; online participation; Catalonia; Spain.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEG.2008.022070

International Journal of Electronic Governance, 2008 Vol.1 No.4, pp.434 - 451

Published online: 17 Dec 2008 *

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