Electronic Democracy Module (eDem) in the DREAM system

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

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 system — Open Contracting Partnership, with effective interaction with international partners and authorities, in particular with the support of the Ministry of Reconstruction of Ukraine

The Expected Results

1

Engagement of citizens

Inviting citizens to participate by sending them invitations and notifications about opportunities to influence reconstruction. 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 the development of reconstruction projects by submitting proposals. This may include proposals for new project ideas, additional contributions to existing projects, or initiatives to improve the reconstruction process

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3

Public oversight

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

E-voting and e-polls

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

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5

Formation of project teams

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

Discussion of projects

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

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7

Training and exchange of best practices

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

The Expected Results

Local authorities

  • Efficiency. Engaging local citizens in the reconstruction 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 reconstruction 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 reconstruction 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 the details of implementation, 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 the development of partner relations between the authorities and the public.
  • Engagement. The public will have the opportunity to participate in the reconstruction process, express their opinions, provide suggestions, and participate in decision-making. This will contribute to a wider 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 reconstruction projects.
  • Driving competition. Strengthening the competitive benefits of reconstruction 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, taking into account readiness and other essential criteria, such as the priority assessment of projects by local 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 the level of transparency, prevents violations or abuses, and builds 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 the implementation of projects and the achievement of common goals.

Transparent and Democratic Restoration

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

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 system — Open Contracting Partnership, with effective interaction with international partners and authorities, in particular with the support of the Ministry of Reconstruction of Ukraine

Participate in the development of the eDem

International organizations
Civil Society organizations

Timeline of key project tasks

mar23Apr24

Formation of the expert working group

Studying the engagement level

  • Development of methodology and questionnaires for research.
  • Distribution of questionnaires and data collection.
  • Analysis and visualization of data on a public dashboard.
  • Development of recommendations and public presentation of research results
Jun-Jul23
Jul23Aug24

Formation of an expert network

  • Engaging all the stakeholders in the expert network and conducting meetings.
  • Development of cooperation, exchange of ideas and best practices.

Modeling of business processes

  • Holding meetings with the participants of the expert network to develop and discuss models of business processes for engaging stakeholders in the reconstruction process.
  • Public presentation and voting for the best model to form the basis for the Terms of Reference of the eDem module
Aug-Nov23
Dec23Feb24

Development of terms of reference

  • Development of draft terms of reference based on the results of modeling and consultations with the expert network.
  • Public presentation of the draft terms of reference

Measuring the rate of change in engagement

  • Conducting an express survey to measure the rate of changes in the engagement of stakeholders in reconstruction projects.
  • Analysis and visualization of results on a public dashboard
Dec23Feb24
Mar24

Public presentation of project results

The terms of reference for the eDem module with engagement of active local residents, IDPs, CSOs (including regional ones) is developed by the Innovation Development Center together with the Ministry of Reconstruction and the RISE 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.