The practices of civic engagement in public policy and the experience of civil initiative management

Abstract

Purpose. To consider current projects contributing to civic consciousness development at the level of local government. Methodology and methods. Analysis of the latest practices applied in Russia at the city level in relation to the goals of programs and standards of openness of the federal authorities. Based on the neoinstitutional theory, the problem of involving in the public consultation is seen as a means of making a public choice. The results of the activities of the local initiative projects are analysed and the regional practices of arranging communication platforms to exchange experience and organization of participatory technologies of involving citizens in public consultations and public policy are systematized. Results. The article describes the practice of organizing communication platforms: forums, projects of the civil initiatives committee, educational projects aimed at civil education and the formation of citizens’ competencies, practices of systematization of the lessons learned in cities and regions and also projects to create educational platforms to encourage civic leadership. As a basis of openness standards of the federal authorities the work with reference groups is emphasized, so the institutional formation of public representatives in the territorial space of the city and in specialized issues is becoming a trend in different regions of the country. Scientific novelty. The considered practices have existed relatively recently, some of the reviewed initiatives have been launched in 2015 as pilot projects. The presented initiatives are the subject for further monitoring and assessment of the civil institutions development.