1. Enabling Innovation with IT and Media © MFG Baden-Württemberg | 1 Giving European People a Voice in EU legislation

2. Enabling Innovation with IT and Media © MFG Baden-Württemberg | 2 VoicE – a new model for eParticipation in Europe Regional Focus: Incorporation of EU decision-makers from the regions Canvassing of citizens from the regions Thematic Focus: Specialisation on the legislative issue of consumer protection Deployment of new methodology to deliver easily- accessible content and background on legislation

3. Enabling Innovation with IT and Media © MFG Baden-Württemberg | 3 VoicE: citizen-driven approach Citizens / consumers from the regions Decision-makers from the regions Visualisation techniques Web 2.0 tools Empowerment of citizens Democratisation and legitimisation of decision-making process and legislation MFG / GVA EZBW / FCVRE University of Koblenz Eurosoc Regional project management Platform implementatioon Scientific Input Evaluation Regional Platform marketing Editorial service Citizens / consumers from the regions Decision-makers from the regions Visualisation techniques Web 2.0 tools MFG / GVA EZBW / FCVRE Gov2u Regional project management Platform implementatioon Scientific Input Evaluation Regional Platform marketing Technical development eParticipation Portal VoicE

4. Enabling Innovation with IT and Media © MFG Baden-Württemberg | 4 Content development Consumer Protection (Eurosoc/MLR) Technical Development (Gov2U) Evaluation and dissemination (UKL/FCVRE) Platform management (MFG/GVA) Marketing and Communication towards citizens (EZBW/FCVRE) Phase 1: 1-8 Phase 3: 21-24 Phase 2: 9-20 eParticipation Portal VoicE Citizens and Consumers from the regions Decision-makers from the region Project management (MFG)

5. Enabling Innovation with IT and Media © MFG Baden-Württemberg | 5 Facts on VoicE Project duration: 24 months (01.01.08 - 31.12.09) Project budget (total): 812 000 Euro) Consortium: 9 Partners from 3 countries (Spain, Greece and Germany) Participating Regions: Baden-Württemberg, Valencia Software Used: Gov2DemOSS (gov2u) Documented supporters include: Daniel Caspary (MdEP), Josè Manuel García-Margallo Y Marfil (MdEP), Heide Rühle (MdEP), Dr. Rainer Wieland (MdEP), David Hammerstein (MdEP), Salvador Garriga Polledo (MdEP), Maria Sornosa Martinez (MdEP), EURO-INFO- CONSOMMATEURS e.V. Kehl, etc.

6. Enabling Innovation with IT and Media © MFG Baden-Württemberg | 6 VoicE: most important targets Testing an internet-based model for citizen participation in the EU, based on the regions and a thematic focus on consumer protection High acceptance and participation by both citizens and EU decision-makers Establishing effective communication channels between citizens and their representatives Participation of citizens in legislation in the field of consumer protection

7. Enabling Innovation with IT and Media © MFG Baden-Württemberg | 7 Thank you for your attention! Contact Matthias Holzner holzner@mfg.de More Information www.mfg.de www.mfg-innovation.eu