Tallinn, Estonia – 13 & 14th of February 2025
Over the past two days, the CiviTec 3rd Partner Meeting brought together experts, policymakers, and civic engagement practitioners in Tallinn to explore the role of digital tools in participatory democracy. Hosted at Ülemiste City and Viimsi Library, the event provided a platform for knowledge exchange, practical demonstrations, and collaborative discussions on strengthening digital civic participation across Europe.
Day 1: Exploring Estonia’s e-Participation Landscape
The meeting commenced with an opening session featuring remarks from Annika Vaikla, Deputy Mayor of Viimsi Municipality, followed by a keynote speech from Merja Lina M. Bauters (Tallinn University & University of Helsinki) on the evolving role of digital tools in civic engagement.
A key focus of the day was Estonia’s success in e-participation, with case studies presented on platforms such as:
Rahvaalgatus.ee (Citizen Initiative Portal) – enabling citizens to propose legislative changes.
Anna Teada (Let Me Know) – a tool for local communities to report issues.
Minuomavalitsus.ee (My Local Government) – fostering transparency and local governance engagement.
Participants engaged in a hands-on EXPO session, interacting with leading digital participation tools, followed by a panel discussion on the challenges and opportunities of civic engagement, moderated by Marten Lauri (Government Office of Estonia).
The day concluded with study visits to the e-Estonia Briefing Centre and Viimsi Gymnasium, offering first-hand insights into Estonia’s digital innovation in governance and education.
Day 2: Overcoming the Digital Divide & Co-Creation Workshop
The second day, held at Viimsi Library, addressed one of the key challenges in digital democracy – the digital divide. Krista Mulenok (NGO Golden League) led a discussion on ensuring inclusivity in e-participation, particularly for individuals with limited internet access or digital literacy.
A co-creation workshop, facilitated by Margo Loor (Citizen OS), enabled participants to test civic engagement solutions using the Citizen OS platform.
The session culminated in group presentations and discussions on practical strategies to enhance digital engagement across diverse communities.
Key Takeaways and Next Steps
The meeting concluded with reflections on lessons learned, a peer review session among project partners, and the identification of good practices for enhancing e-participation. Moderated by Clive Peckham (Digital Nièvre Joint Authority), the final session reinforced the importance of collaborative approaches in making digital civic engagement more accessible and effective.
The CiviTec project continues to foster innovation in digital democracy, aiming to bridge gaps in participation and enhance citizen engagement through technology-driven solutions.