Electronic Democracy Module (eDem) in the DREAM ecosystem

Ukraine’s successful and efficient restoration depends on the engagement level of every citizen. The eDem module in the DREAM ecosystem is being designed to guarantee a transparent, accountable, and democratic restoration process. This will ensure active participation of the public in the restoration of our country, mitigate the risks of non-targeted use of funds, and increase the level of confidence in restoration.

The eDem module is one of the key components of the DREAM system, which was initiated by the Innovation Development Center with the assistance of the Coalition of Civil Society Organizations RISE Ukraine together with the developers of the DREAM ecosystem — Open Contracting Partnership, with effective interaction with international partners and authorities, in particular with the support of the Ministry of Restoration of Ukraine

Key tasks of eDem

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Engagement of citizens

Engaging citizens to participate by sending them invitations and notifications about opportunities to influence restoration. This will help more people to be involved in the reconstruction process and ensure a broad representation of views and ideas

Submission of proposals

The opportunity for organized teams of citizens to participate in developing restoration projects by submitting proposals. This may include recommendations for new project ideas, additional contributions to existing projects, or initiatives to improve the restoration process

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Public oversight

Tracking progress at each stage of restoration projects, monitoring project performance indicators to assess the results achieved, and reporting inconsistencies and/or deficiencies in the restoration process

E-voting and e-polls

The opportunity to participate in electronic voting and polls regarding the implementation of priority restoration projects and their individual components, budgets, and other important issues

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Formation of project teams

Establish a team or join existing teams for joint participation in restoration projects. Any member/user of the DREAM system can join the teams. This facilitates exchanging ideas, distributing assignments, and coordinating actions to execute restoration projects efficiently, engage funding, etc

Discussion of projects

Active discussion of various restoration projects. This will help to receive feedback and improve the restoration process and the quality of project execution. The discussion function can enable citizens to join online forums and discussions where they can talk about restoration issues, express their views, and collaborate with other participants

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Training and exchange of best practices

Obtaining the necessary knowledge and skills to actively participate in restoration processes, including the sharing of best restoration practices, educational materials, and other resources

Transparent and Democratic Restoration

Project objectives: Identify effective mechanisms for transparent and democratic involvement of all interested parties in restoration projects in order to increase the level of trust and support among Ukrainians and international partners

We invite you to join the expert network to ensure the transparent and democratic involvement of all stakeholders in the restoration management process! Learn about the key purpose and benefits of the upcoming e-Democracy module in the DREAM system. To do this, fill out the questionnaire below and mark which activities you are ready to join.

International organizations
Civil Society organizations

Expected results

Local authorities

  • Efficiency. Engaging local citizens in the restoration process will ensure that projects are aligned with the needs and expectations of locals, IDPs, the public, and businesses. This will increase the efficiency of decision-making, development, and implementation of restoration projects.
  • Transparency and trust. Increasing transparency and strengthening the level of trust in the work of local authorities. Citizens will have access to information about decisions, budgets, projects, and work of local government, which will contribute to building trust in the authorities. It will also increase confidence in the restoration process among international organizations and investors.
  • Reducing corruption. Transparency, accountability, and public oversight, available in the eDem module, will reduce the risk of misuse of funds and wrongdoing by officials.

The public

  • Public oversight. Tracking the progress of specific projects and implementation details, reporting any identified inaccuracies. This will ensure greater responsibility of authorities and improve the quality of project implementation.
  • Collaboration and influence. Discussion of projects, submission of proposals, and participation in voting. This allows the public to influence decision-making and contribute to developing partner relations between the authorities and the public
  • Engagement. The public can participate in the restoration process, express their opinions, provide suggestions, and participate in decision-making. This will contribute to a broader representation of public interests

Business

  • Increasing transparency and trust. Transparency in the process of reconstruction and access to important information allows businesses to be actively involved in the process of development and implementation of projects, preventing the emergence of corruption risks
  • Engagement. Participation in recovery projects as investors or contractors, ensuring a level playing field for all stakeholders. Expertise in the form of proposals for the implementation of restoration projects
  • Driving competition. Strengthening the competitive benefits of restoration projects, adapting products and services to the needs of the reconstruction market

International organizations

  • Selection of projects for financing. The ability to make informed investment decisions, considering readiness and other essential criteria, such as the priority assessment of projects by residents, public involvement in the formation and implementation of the project, etc
  • Control over the use of funds. Access to procurement information, performance reports, and audits provides an opportunity to monitor the use of financial resources. This helps to increase transparency, prevent violations or abuses, and build a new level of trust among international organizations, authorities, the public, and project executors
  • Collaboration and partnership. A favorable environment for cooperation among international organizations, authorities, businesses, and the public through sharing experience, resources, and best practices, joint activities for implementing projects, and achieving common goals

The Terms of Reference for the eDem module with the engagement of active local residents, IDPs, CSOs (including regional ones) is developed by the Innovation Development Center together with the Ministry. For Restoration and the RISE Ukraine Coalition within the project Transparent and Democratic Reconstruction as part of the Enhance Non-Governmental Actors and Grassroots Engagement (ENGAGE) program financed by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and implemented by Pact in Ukraine. The content of the project is the sole responsibility of Pact and its partners and does not necessarily reflect the views of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) or the United States Government.