End result elements

In order to organise the activities for the end report, a "table of content" is suggested below. The "final package" would exist of a set of deliverables and documentations. The analogy is made with an e-mail software.

1. The TID+ software

Analogy: the disk containing the software.

The TID+ software with all its functionalities, ready to install and use.

2. Booklet I: Technical information

Analogy: the instruction leaflet that tells you to insert the disk, click install and wait.

This booklet contains instructions on how to install the software and is meant for the technical people in an implementing organisation. Simplified, it tells how to make the software run on a server, and how to give access to it to a certain employee or civil server. This is the pure IT aspect of the package.

Lead: software developer

3. Booklet II: User manual

Analogy: what button to click if you want to send a mail, how to check mails, how to organise contacts, ...

The user manual describes the options that are available to the different people who have different roles in the implementing organisation. It describes the different screens and options available, and how to change settings. As such, it shows what you can do, and how to do it (including screenshots).

Lead: software developer + checked with SC

4 TABLE OF CONTENTS: E-PARTICIPATION PRIMER

Chapter One: Experimenting with E-Participation: Trends and Teething Problems (Author: EUI)
Summary: This opening chapter introduces the theory behind e-participation as a new form of democratic empowerment and reviews its introduction around the globe. It highlights the uniqueness of Estonia’s TOM as the only national-level initiative for enabling citizens to participate in legislative decision-making. But it also introduces the problems e-participation raises, including technological issues and whether it can fulfil its potential.

Lead: EUI, with comments from eGA and SC

Chapter Two: Estonia’s Pioneering E-Participation Initiative

2.1 Implementing E-Participation in Estonia (Author: EGA and SC)

Summary: This section provides an in-depth description of the functioning of TOM as well as usage statistics.

2.2 Critical Evaluation of TOM (Author: EGA)

Summary: Based on survey and interview data, this section scrutinizes the successes and weaknesses of TOM as experienced from the user perspective.

2.3 Government Experiences with E-Participation (Author: EGA and SC)

Summary: Outlines how the Estonian government has responded and adapted to the introduction of the TOM tool. Experiences from the different layers.

Chapter Three: Meeting Citizen Expectations about Empowerment: Lessons from Estonia - added functionalities, opportunities and achievements from TID+ (Author: EUI)

Summary: This chapter discusses what can be learnt from the Estonian case about what it takes for e-participation to meet the expectations it engenders amongst citizens. In particular, it shows how getting the most out of e-participation is far from a function of technology alone. Political will in embedding this new form of political communication into the public sphere is crucial in making the most of e-participation.

Chapter Four: Conclusion: Promises and Perils of E-Participation (Author: EUI)
Summary: Reviews the best practice arguments contained in the primer and raises certain questions that require further research.

[N.B. Language editing and proof-reading: EUI]


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