Citizenry Online - Ecuador

With the Ciudadanía en-línea project, the NGO Auditoría Democrática Andina (ADA) aims to offer, through the development of a Web 2.0-based social web, to Ecuadorian citizens a public space for debate and reflection on issues in connection with local government, with a special focus on the work of local leaders and concejales in 5 districts of Quito. Final aim is to establish agreements and to promote good governance of public affairs in which voices of citizens are heard in the decision-making process at municipal level. The project has started in the spring of 2009 and is in independent continuation since April 2010.

Social participation in Ecuador, though doted with great potential, is hampered by the lack of citizens' access to modern communication tools and the capacities required to use them. Therefore, the capacity development component of projects on e-participation in the governance sector in Ecuador is key to the success of these projects.

The project Ciudadanía-en-Línea by the NGO Auditoría Democrática Andina (ADA) which focuses on 5 marginalised districts in Quito started in March 2009 and is in independent continuation since April 2010. In this project, heavy use is made of Web 2.0 tools, notably podcasts, blogs, wikis and interactive maps, for rallying citizens’ groups’ participation in public governance affairs. The intention is to closely involve three concejales (municipal councillors) in the project, thus increasing chances of political impact of the project.

There are 3 main themes in the districts targeted in this project: transport, health, security. Main purpose of the project is to generate at least 1 public policy as a result of citizens’ involvement.

The web site, under Joomla, is operational. A large survey in the 5 districts to find out about priorities has been organised in August 2009 and results have been shared with representatives of the 5 districts. Based on perceived needs and priorities, trainings have been organised both for district leaders and for end-users. Newly elected concejales have been sounded about their interest in becoming involved in the project.

Main challenge has been to involve the Municipal Council of Quito in the project. This was perceived as vital to the success of the project as it is a precondition for policy decisions to be taken in Greater Quito municipality based on citizens’ opinions. It has not worked out in practice, however. According to ADA this lack of success is to be attributed mainly to the lack of structure and organisation within the Quito municipality.

• To create a social web Ciudadanía en-Línea.
• To identify priorities and needs of stakeholders in good governance in 5 districts of metropilitan Quito.
• To capacitate end-users of the project in the use of ICT for social networking.

• The Ciudadanía-en-Línea platform is operational, but fails to fulfil its role to generate a citizens' voice in municipal decision making.

• www.ciudadaniaenlinea.org has attracted 48,000 visitors so far.

Auditoría Democrática Andina, (ADA) is an independent national NGO. Its mission is to foster and monitor good governance practices in public affairs. In spite of the fact that ADA only has a limited numer of personnel its outreach and influence as a think tank are relatively high.