E-participation in Portugal: evaluation of government electronic platforms

This paper reports a study that analyzes the evolution of the concepts related to public participation and, in a practical perspective, presents the results of a research aimed to assess the level of electronic participation (e-participation) initiatives that are promoted by government authorities in Portugal at local and national levels. In this way the present research provides basis for local governments benchmarking, since there is no similar study concerning Portugal. The study revealed that local e-participation initiatives have predominantly informing character, and there is a lack of high level e-participation initiatives, like the one identified at national level, that provides more collaborative environment and as a result can improve relationships between government and citizens.