Open Consultations Research Articles

Inclusion of Women Architects into the Cultural Field of Spanish Competitions: Struggling for Professional Recognition from the Periphery (1978-2008)

A retrospective look at the architecture competitions held and reported in Spain between the years of transition to democracy and the aftermath of the global financial crisis of 2008 allows us to verify, from a sociological and historiographical approach, the progressive inclusion of women into the complex and traditionally patriarchal cultural field of the architecture competition. The end of Franco’s dictatorship, and the growing vitality of the Autonomous Regions prompted the call of numerous open consultations throughout the country. These calls continued throughout the last third of the 20th century, until eventually experiencing a decline in the new millennium. These open and anonymous competitions provided a framework in which many women architects were able to ascend through merit, even attaining important positions within the process: firstly, as recognised participants and later as jury members. Highlighting the value of these women’s contribution to architecture has always been subject to disinterest, hesitancy or even outspoken reticence, typical of an eminently patriarchal structure, to which were added those inherent to any competitive structure where the struggle for the domination of symbolic power is inescapable. On the basis of architectural journal articles and illustrative case studies, this paper reviews the published media conditions of this difficult ascent in which the subordinate territories peripheral to the centres of production of architectural culture—Madrid and Barcelona—proved to be a space of opportunity and competition in which to build professional legitimacy. A great deal of Spanish women architects who were regular contestants achieved their recognition through silent logic, far removed from flashy celebrity, an issue that has left a deep imprint on their ways of approaching the practice of their profession, in general, and of participating in the cultural field of the competition, in particular. From this common thinking, this article aims to pay them a well-deserved tribute.

Exploring the Relationship Between E-Government, Transparency, and Citizen Trust in Government Services

This study investigates the relationship between e-government initiatives, transparency, and citizen trust in government services. By synthesizing existing literature and analyzing case studies from various countries, the research aims to understand how digital governance and transparency can influence public trust in governmental operations and services. E-government, which encompasses the use of digital platforms and technologies to deliver government services, is found to play a significant role in enhancing transparency and accessibility. The study reveals that e-government initiatives facilitate greater openness by providing citizens with easy access to information and services, thereby reducing opportunities for corruption and enhancing accountability. This increased transparency is shown to be crucial in fostering a more informed and engaged citizenry. Transparency in government is identified as a key factor in building citizen trust. The research highlights that when governments are open about their processes, decisions, and use of resources, citizens are more likely to perceive them as reliable and trustworthy. Transparency initiatives, such as open data platforms and online public consultations, allow for greater scrutiny and participation, which in turn can increase public confidence in government actions. Citizen trust in government services is essential for the effective functioning of a democratic society. The study indicates that trust is significantly influenced by the perceived transparency and accessibility of government services. When citizens trust that their government is transparent and accountable, they are more likely to engage with and utilize government services, leading to greater societal cohesion and cooperation. In conclusion, the interplay between e-government, transparency, and citizen trust is critical in shaping the effectiveness and credibility of government services. The study suggests that enhancing digital governance and transparency can lead to increased public trust and more effective government operations. Future research should explore the specific mechanisms through which e-government initiatives can further enhance transparency and trust in different socio-political contexts.

Collaboration as a policy instrument in public administration: Evidence from forest policy and governance

AbstractIn recent decades, collaboration has become a common policy instrument in public administration, both internationally and in Sweden. Inspired by scholarly literature on collaborative governance, the aim of this study is to analyze the crucial role of public administration in the design and implementation of collaborative governance. Drawing on several years of research on Swedish forest policy and governance, our work is based on extensive empirical material, including 88 semi‐structured interviews, observations, written comments from open public consultations and actors, enacted policy documents, open public hearings and a survey. Our results confirm that factors related to process design strongly affect the outputs and outcomes of collaboration in public administration. We assert that public officials should meticulously design and adapt the collaborative process during its initiation and progress, according to the policy problem and actors' incentives and motivations to participate. However, despite good intentions by public officials, the overarching priorities and contextual factors governing the policy area must be set by elected decision makers at an early stage to establish democratic accountability and high levels of policy legitimacy and acceptance. A major implication for public administration is that the increasing use of collaborative governance may be highly inefficient if it is difficult for participants to draft shared objectives and provide intended outputs because of low levels of trust, and different interpretations of knowledge and norms. Finally, in contentious policy areas, such as forest policy, political priorities must sometimes be set by elected decision makers rather than through collaborative processes.

New Kids on the Democracy Block: Europeanisation of Interest Groups in Central and Eastern Europe

The 2004 EU enlargement and related Europeanisation processes supported the development of stagnated interest group systems in many ways, including with respect to the professionalisation of mainly voluntary-based organisations in Central and Eastern Europe. In the pre-membership period and initial years after joining the EU, national interest groups from Central and Eastern Europe chiefly relied on EU-level interest groups for important information, knowledge, and know-how concerning EU policymaking, whereas 20 years of membership has today established them as equal partners and co-decision-makers. The article elaborates on the Europeanisation of interest groups in the Central and Eastern Europe region from the start of the process of accession to the EU, with three case studies in focus: Lithuania, Poland, and Slovenia. The main research question is: In which different ways has the Europeanisation process influenced interest groups in the region? To address it, the article builds on Johansson and Jacobsson’s (2016) typology of the Europeanisation of interest groups. Six exploratory factors were examined in this regard: (a) contacts with EU policymakers and institutions, (b) interest in EU policymaking, (c) funding received from EU projects and programmes, (d) networking with EU umbrella organisations, (e) participation in open consultations, and (f) the relationship of the group with members. To study the effects of Europeanisation processes in selected countries, web survey data gathered from national interest groups as part of the Comparative Interest Groups Survey project were used. Our results show that interest groups from Central and Eastern Europe have become “European” in a range of ways. Regulatory and discursive Europeanisation is most typical for Polish interest groups, identity Europeanisation for Lithuanian interest groups, and financial and participatory Europeanisation for Lithuanian and Polish interest groups, while organisational Europeanisation has the strongest effect on interest groups in Slovenia.

Advancing Democratic Engagement in Indonesia's Treaty Ratification Process

This study explores the application of the 'meaningful participation' principle in the formation of laws ratifying international agreements in Indonesia, with a focus on social, economic, and environmental sectors. The research adopts a normative legal methodology, utilizing statutory and conceptual approaches to analyze relevant legislation, court decisions, and academic literature. The findings reveal a significant imbalance in public participation in the ratification process, primarily characterized by a top-down approach with minimal substantive dialogue with affected community groups. Despite constitutional provisions allowing the President to establish agreements without ratification, meaningful public participation in legislative and ratification processes remains limited. The study emphasizes the need for open public consultations, active involvement of non-governmental organizations, and private sector engagement to achieve policies that reflect the comprehensive interests and aspirations of the populace. It highlights the importance of community involvement, transparency, economic-environmental balance, and inclusive approaches in influencing meaningful participation levels. The research calls for recommendations to the Government and Parliament to foster more qualitative and significant public participation in the ratification process, aligning Indonesia with international principles of meaningful participation in social, economic, and environmental law. This approach is crucial for Indonesia, as the world's third-largest democracy, to promote meaningful public participation in policy-making, especially in ratifying international agreements impacting the broader society.
 Highlights:
 
 Imbalanced Participation: Dominance of a top-down approach with minimal public dialogue in treaty ratification.
 NGOs and Private Sector: Essential roles in representing diverse societal interests in legislative processes.
 Legal and Democratic Alignment: Need for transparent and inclusive law-making, balancing economic and environmental aspects.
 
 Keywords: Meaningful Participation, International Treaty Ratification, Public Involvement, Legislative Process, Indonesian Democracy

Impact of ORBIS on public policies – open consultations of draft regulatory documents and the Pharmaceutical Strategy for Europe

Public policies and regulations strongly influence research and manufacturing in pharmaceutical sector. Therefore, it is of critical importance that these policies and regulations are of high quality as well as appropriately balanced between general rules and detailed solutions. The process of public consultations prolongs adoption of novel documents. On the other hand, comments from different stakeholders like academia, industry, public administration and patients allow 360-degree critical evaluation of the document and a better understanding of the topic. This mini-review summarizes the contributions of numerous members of ORBIS project team in open consultations of draft regulatory documents published by European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the International Council for Harmonisation of Technical Requirements for Pharmaceuticals for Human Use (ICH). ORBIS project feedback on the Pharmaceutical Strategy for Europe is also presented. ORBIS project members contributed to open consultations of two ICH draft guidelines, and three EMA draft documents. ORBIS project was also active during the European Commission’s efforts to develop Pharmaceutical Strategy for Europe. The interaction between representatives of academic and industrial sectors allowed to form balanced comments. We hope that this paper will inspire more researchers to participate in future open consultations on public policies.

What determines climate ambition? Analysing NDC enhancement with a mixed-method design

The 2015 Paris Agreement relies on Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to outline each country’s policies and plans for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. To strengthen global climate action and achieve the Agreement’s temperature goal, it is crucial to enhance the ambition level of NDCs every 5 years. While previous studies have explored the ambition of initial NDCs, limited research has delved into the factors driving the enhancement or lack thereof in NDCs’ emission reduction plans. This study employs a mixed-method design to investigate the determinants of NDC enhancement. First, we analyse the updated or revised NDCs of 111 countries using quantitative methods. Second, we conduct qualitative case studies focusing on Brazil and South Africa. Our findings reveal that countries that engaged in stakeholder consultations with civil society, business, and labour groups prior to developing their updated or revised NDCs were more likely to enhance their greenhouse gas reduction targets. These results are further supported by the case studies. South Africa conducted comprehensive consultations and submitted an enhanced GHG target, while Brazil, which did not arrange open consultations, did not improve its target. This study underscores the significance of comprehensive and transparent stakeholder engagement processes, highlighting their potential to drive enhanced NDCs. By involving diverse stakeholders, including civil society, business, and labour groups, countries can foster greater ambition and effectiveness in their climate action, ultimately contributing to the global effort to combat climate change.

Topical Steroid Withdrawal: An Emerging Clinical Problem.

Topical steroid withdrawal (TSW) is a newly described disease characterised by erythema and burning following discontinuation of prolonged use of mid- to high-potency topical corticosteroids. No consensus diagnostic criterion exists. TSW is frequently interpreted as flaring of the underlying disorder or contact allergy to topical treatment. To better characterise TSW symptomatology, detail our experience with management, and assess the proportion of patients who pursue nonconventional management. A retrospective review of case notes collected from our multidisciplinary service between January 2019 and June 2021 was carried out to identify patients presenting with TSW. Nineteen cases of TSW were identified, 15 females and four males. The majority were under 35 years old. Eighteen had atopic dermatitis. The most frequently reported features were redness, skin pain (typically 'burning'), skin sensitivity, excessive skin flaking, insomnia, and severe itching. There was a high burden of anxiety and depression, with three patients expressing suicidal thoughts. Nonconventional treatments were pursued by approximately half the cohort, some of whom sought private consultation with international dermatologists. Improvements were noted in the context of open psychodermatology consultations with an earlier introduction of conventional management options. Many patients report dismissal by dermatology healthcare professionals, often driving them to seek help from unregulated online sources, heightening the burden of mental, social and physical morbidity. Dermatology healthcare professionals need to be aware of TSW, and offer support with shared decision-making when considering treatments.

The role of vascular surgery in intraoperative emergency consultations

Aim: Vascular surgery is an important part of the multidisciplinary approach to surgical treatments, and vascular surgeons are often called on intraoperatively to provide immediate assistance to their colleagues. Our aim was to describe the extent of assistance provided during emergency intraoperative consultations at a single tertiary academic centre. Material and Methods: We reviewed the records of patients who were consulted intraoperatively in our hospital over a period of approximately 4 years (January 1, 2017-December 31, 2020) and organized the data collected. Results: 40 emergency intraoperative consultations were identified. 55% of the patients were female, with an average age of 48.83 years. The most frequently consulted subspecialty was obstetrics and gynecology (32%). Index cases were elective/nonurgent (90%), most involving tumor resection (77.5%). The primary reason for vascular consultation was revascularization (37.5%). The primary blood vessel and anatomic field of intervention were categorized. Most cases (50%) included preservation of blood flow, including primary arterial repair (20%) and ligation of the bleeding vessels (20%) in the first choice. Postoperative mean length of stay was 13 days, with a 30-day mortality of 5.1%. Conclusion: Using a wide variety of skills and techniques, vascular surgeons strive to respond to urgent open surgical consultations in various anatomical sites. Our study provides evidence to the wide range of knowledge and skills required for modern vascular surgeons and the place of the subspecialty in the core services offered in a multidisciplinary approach.

Consensus for teaching dental caries in the Portuguese Language at Brazilian dental schools.

The aim of this paper was to present a summary of the process of developing and preparing the final documents of the national consensus for teaching undergraduate Brazilian dental students the dental caries curriculum in the Portuguese language. The final document was developed in three steps: a) The ABENO and LAOHA cariology group invited experts from all five regions of Brazil to participate in the discussion. The theoretical support for crafting the first draft of the consensus was based on two publications: National Curriculum Guidelines of the Dentistry graduation in Brazil, Ministry of Education (2021) and the competences described in the European Core Curriculum for Cariology (ORCA-ADEE, 2011); b) The group of experts was divided into 5 working groups: G1-Domain, Main and Specific Competences, G2-Essential knowledge, G3-Life course perspective, G4-Social determinants and dental caries, G5- Glossary. The document was finalized by thoroughly reviewing the process using Delphi methodology; c) The 5-chapter document (one from each working group) was submitted to three open public consultations in 2022 (May-June, August, and October) using Google-forms. The suggestions (content/wording) were discussed within the group as: totally accepted, partially accepted, and rejected. A total of 192 suggestions were registered from 31 dental schools in all regions of Brazil. The number of suggestions received per Group were: 84, 28, 26, 24, 30 suggestions for G1, G2, G3, G4 and G5, respectively. The majority of suggestions were totally accepted by the group of experts (n = 172, 89.6%), 15 were partially accepted (7.8%), and 5 were rejected. Conclusion The final document could be considered to be the first national consensus for teaching the dental caries curriculum in Brazil.

The role of energy-efficient renovation in the sustainability of cities and settlements: European experience

Building renovation is one of the industries with the largest investment gap. To achieve the proposed climate target of 55% by 2030 in the EU, additional investments of around €275 billion will be required annually. In the housing sector, the lack of simple, attractive and easily accessible state incentives for renovation and the absence of common financial products are often the main obstacles. The experience of energy-efficient renovation in European countries allows for calculated decisions when modeling housing policy and achieving sustainable development goals. To support this, some countries have already introduced minimum common efficiency requirements that apply from a certain date or at certain points in the building's life cycle. Such requirements form the basis of companies' expectations and work best along with reliable energy performance certificates and reliable financing. As for residential buildings, insufficient understanding of energy consumption and energy saving is seen as an important barrier for more participants in open public consultations on renovation work than any other obstacle. Various interests of building owners and users, differences in opinions among different owners, and difficulties in planning renovation work are also major obstacles to the formation of sustainable cities and settlements.

Co-creation of a school-based sexual health education intervention in Italy

Abstract Introduction School-based sexuality education (SBSE) is the most effective way to positively impact young people's behaviour and attitude towards sexuality. This study describes the development of a SBSE pilot activity targeting lower secondary schools (LSS) within the context of EduforIST project funded by the Italian Ministry of Health. Methods A desk review was carried out to collect information about national policies, international literature and guidelines on SE and STIs prevention. An online survey was developed to collect information on SBSE activities implemented in Italy during 2016-2020. Focus groups among project partners and open consultations with a multisectorial expert advisory board were organised. SBSE pilot activity was developed by an interdisciplinary team of pedagogists, public health and SE experts, educators. Results and discussion The SBSE was structured in: a) 5 interactive interventions of 2 hours each with students (4 theoretical and practical modules; 1 final intervention for students-led discussion and evaluation); b) introductory and closing meetings with teachers and with parents. The modules addressed the following dimensions: changes in adolescence; emotions and relationships; sexual identities and diversity; sexual consent, STIs/pregnancy prevention, sexual health services. Additional materials were developed: a. pre/post evaluation tools for educators and students; b. pre-implementation checklist for schools; c. materials for teachers’ and parents’ engagement before/after the SBSE activity. Conclusions This pilot activity represented a first step towards the development of a standardised, evidence-based and comprehensive approach to SBSE, for future implementation across the country.

Stakeholder consultations in the EU Commission: instruments of involvement or legitimacy?

ABSTRACT Governmental entities such as the EU Commission regularly consult societal stakeholders. In such consultations, a variety of different tools are used ranging from open online consultations over stakeholder conferences to discussions in closed policy fora. Recent research has demonstrated how the range and diversity of the consulted actors vary across these consultation formats. Yet, we know little about the value societal stakeholders attach to their participation in consultations. In this paper, we argue that some consultation formats facilitate an insider match between the motives of societal stakeholders and the Commission with clear potential for also affecting Commission initiatives. Other consultation instruments are more likely to facilitate an outsider match where stakeholders may draw public attention to their views and the Commission enhance the perceived legitimacy of its decisions. We find support for these expectations based on data from a survey administered to stakeholders registered in the EU transparency register.

ВЗАЄМОДІЯ ГРОМАДСЬКИХ ОРГАНIЗАЦIЙ З ІНСТИТУЦІЯМИ ЄС У ПРОЦЕСІ ФОРМУВАННЯ ТА РЕАЛІЗАЦІЇ ПОЛІТИКИ ЄС: ЕФЕКТИВНІ ІНСТРУМЕНТИ ПУБЛІЧНОЇ ПОЛІТИКИ ДЛЯ ЕКОЛОГІЧНОЇ ПОЛІТИКИ УКРАЇНИ

As part of the PhD thesis " NGOs activities in the process of forming and implementing the environmental policy of the European Union: experience for Ukraine", the mechanisms that were used during the interaction of a number of NGOs, analytical centers of the EU and Ukraine were studied. The theoretical and practical aspects of forming environmental and energy policies in EU and Ukraine were іnvestigated with NGO participation. The importance of the research topic of the article is determined by the fact that the correct implementation of EU environmental law is strongly dependent on the capacity of NGOs to initiate litigation at the national level. According to scientists, NGOs have two avenues at their disposal for influencing EU policy. Next instruments were identified: open public consultations, Directorate General organises civil society dialogue forums, Ad-hoc interaction with European Commission officials, interaction with MEPs and also NGOs can impact on legislative proceedings through their participation in Intergroups. In contrast to this, it was established that one of the most successful public organizations of Ukraine, which has reached the level of an analytical center with national and international influence, distinguishes the concepts of advocacy and lobbying and, accordingly, uses such public policy tools as: training of decision makers; educating the public about how decisions are made; cancellation of unjustified or incorrect decisions by authorities; discussions and public discussions; interviews, information campaigns to convey the developed positions of NGOs. Also, the article analyzed the analytical products created by the Ukrainian NGO, analytical center, which can be considered effective tools for ensuring transparency in the extractive industry ( nature resourses) and in the energy sector: Nadra monitor and Energy Transparency Index. Based on the results of the research, the author proposed effective tools for advocacy campaigns and institutional development of NGOs, who work in environmental policy including energy and nature resourses field.

MEMBERS OF THE VIRTUAL ASSETS MARKET IN UKRAINE

The article conducts a study of virtual asset market participants in Ukraine. The development of advanced digital financial technologies does not leave the governments of many countries to put them under state supervision. Thus, the Deputy Prime Minister-Minister of Digital Transformation in an interview noted the following regarding the Law of Ukraine "On Virtual Assets": the new law is an additional opportunity for business development in our country. Foreign and Ukrainian crypto companies will be able to work legally, and Ukrainians will receive convenient and secure access to the global virtual asset market. Market participants will receive legal protection and the opportunity to make decisions on the basis of open consultations with state authorities. There will be a transparent mechanism for investing in a new class of assets. The Parliament of Ukraine adopted on 17.02.2022 the Law of Ukraine "On Virtual Assets" No. 2074-IX (hereinafter referred to as the Law 2074). Which was signed by the President of Ukraine on 15.03.2022, after the changes were taken into account, according to his previously submitted proposals. In addition, the Parliament of Ukraine on 13.03.2022 registered the draft law No. 7150 "On Amendments to the Tax Code of Ukraine on Taxation of Transactions with Virtual Assets". The purpose of the article is to conduct a study of the full range of market participants of virtual assets, with their classification and identification of characteristic features, as well as to establish the rights and obligations of such participants, in the context of the Law of Ukraine "On Virtual Assets". The study identified a number of problematic and controversial aspects of the Law 2074. Among the service providers in the Law 2074 are not specified, the so-called "miners" engaged in the "extraction" of cryptocurrencies. Since the Law 2074 put such activity beyond its scope, determining that the turnover of a virtual asset begins from the moment of its creation and is carried out until the termination of the turnover of the virtual asset (paragraph 2 of Article 5 of the Law 2074). The interpretation of paragraph 4 of paragraph 1 of Article 9 of the Law 2074 on the right to open and use accounts in banks for settlements on transactions with virtual assets is not clear , since legal entities already have the right to open bank accounts And it is controversial, from the point of view of practical application, the presentation of certain provisions of paragraph 4 of Article 9 of the Law, which is not unambiguous in the interpretation of such expressions: "indirectly controlled", "or acting in their interests", "which owns ... indirectly (through other physical ... person)", – that is, evaluative, and can lead (induce) to negative corruption consequences in the issuance of permits.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on professional practice and patient volume in medical practices: A survey among German physicians and psychotherapists

IntroductionThis study examines the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on outpatient care in the German federal state of Brandenburg during the first ‘lockdown’ between 22 March and 4 May 2020, focusing on the burden for physicians and psychotherapists in outpatient practices and on alternative ways to provide care, in particular telehealth. MethodsWe conducted an online cross-sectional survey among outpatient health care professionals. The responses of n=277 physicians and n=87 psychotherapists were included in the analysis. Frequencies are shown; the relationship between categorical variables was examined using the χ2 test; we used a qualitative content analysis for free text answers. ResultsAlmost all (96 %) physicians and 59 % of the psychotherapists reported a patient volume reduction since the COVID-19 outbreak. Cancellations were most often initiated by patients rather than physician offices. Among the physicians, routine check-ups and preventive care consultations were cancelled most frequently, and patients also appeared less frequently in open consultations. 72 % of the physicians and 29 % of the psychotherapists reported economic losses. While personal patient-physician contact was reduced, the use of telehealth has increased since the COVID-19 outbreak: during the first ‘lockdown’, two thirds of the psychotherapists (66 %) and 14 % of the physicians used telehealth for the first time. The COVID-19 pandemic contributed to a positive change in attitudes towards telehealth; this trend was significantly stronger among psychotherapists than among physicians. DiscussionThe reduction in patient volume shown in this study is confirmed by outpatient billing data analyses. Clinical routines changed due to COVID-19 and led to a growth in telehealth usage. By facilitating formal billing options, the increased use of telehealth can also be promoted after the pandemic. ConclusionShortly after the COVID-19 outbreak, outpatient physicians and psychotherapists were faced with various challenges: Through their spontaneous and flexible response to the COVD-19 pandemic, outpatient providers were able to maintain their work despite high stress levels. Telehealth is becoming more important as a result of COVID-19.

Психосемантический анализ метафор в психологическом консультировании

The paper describes the results of a psychosemantic study of metaphors in psychological counseling for adults. The research material consisted of metaphors from the records of 25 open individual psychological consultations. The chosen metaphors were evaluated by 80 respondents (50 women and 30 men) aged 25—54 (Mage=33.08, SD=9.25). The following research methods were used: the content analysis of metaphors and psychological testing in the framework of G. Kelly’s personality constructs and the specialized method of semantic differential. We present our classification of metaphors in psychological counseling. Categorical structures for evaluating metaphors in psychological counseling were identified, and the semantic spaces of metaphors for respondents of different sexes were constructed and analyzed. The results show that respondents evaluated metaphors based on the emotional valence (positive/negative) of the state they caused; the most positively perceived were educational metaphors of counselors that affected the cognitive sphere. Moreover, women found it more important that metaphors caused a state of calm or anxiety, and men paid more attention to funny or melancholy-inducing metaphors.

Designing Rural Policies for Sustainable Innovations through a Participatory Approach

The added value coming from involvement of stakeholders in changing attitudes and cultures towards a more sustainable-oriented society has been repeatedly emphasized in documents of the European Union. Those documents emphasize the advisability of creating a more inclusive system from the early planning stages and for the whole process with regard to the development of EU policies, involving the stakeholder as a referring partnership both at the national and regional levels. This paper focuses on a case study related to an Italian region where the local partnership has been involved during the setting up of the Rural Development Program 2014–2020 and where a participatory approach has been applied. In order to create an effective output coming from these open consultations, a participatory approach has been carried out using a dynamized Strengths and Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats analysis (SWOT Analysis). The results presented here come from a specific thematic table where experts and stakeholders discussed a specific priority focused on innovation, training and advisory in rural areas. As expected, sustainable innovations and services as well as training courses need to be improved, while financial resources addressing those issues need to be increased.

Quantitative analysis on interest group influence using data from EU open consultations

Online submission of interest group comments was introduced in year 2000 and since then has become a regular instrument of stakeholder consultation, providing a new, recent data source, which has largely been ignored so far. The empirical analysis in this research confirms that information supply via online consultations has only a limited effect on interest group influence. The findings of this research are valuable in gaining a more improved view of the effects of interest group activity targeting EU decision-making.

Countering bias? The EU Commission’s consultation with interest groups

ABSTRACT The EU Commission regularly consults with external actors when preparing policy proposals. This paper investigates possible bias in the voices the Commission listens to across all policy areas and consultation instruments. We map the full range of consultation instruments used by the Commission and analyse variation in group representation across types of consultations and policy areas. Our analysis draws on a dataset of more than 350 major Commission proposals between 2011 and 2016. We find that the Commission has established a consultation regime with the widespread use of standard consultation instruments, including open online consultations, stakeholder conferences and consultation in closed fora. The range of consulted actors depends on both consultation instruments and policy types. Open online-consultations are most inclusive. Our findings indicate that the Commission may be able to counteract the influence of business by selecting the most appropriate format for consultation.