A presentation of Vouliwatch.gr, a crowdsourced digital platform and social initiative to monitor parliamentary politics and promote open public institutions in Greece.

1. DISRUPTING DEMOCRACY WITH TECHNOLOGY
PANAGIOTIS VLACHOS
ATHENS | 16.11.2014
VOULIWATCH
Co-Founder, Head of Strategy

2. Familiar with these?

3. Who decides for whom?
The markets? The Troika? The European Council?
The Government? The citizens?

4. Democratic Malaise in Europe
Vacuum of information (what ‘crisis?)
Vacuum of representation (are elections enough?)
Vacuum of satisfaction with democracy
(75% in Greece, 57% in the EU)
Vacuum of democratic legitimacy
who decides, (new “sovereignty”, “TINA”)

5. Institutional & Social Recession in Greece*
• Dissatisfaction with democracy
• Extremist vote gains momentum
• Political polarization causes financial
vulnerability
• Low capacity of central administration
• Justice delivery delayed
• Obscure & fast-track legislation-making
• Critical social reforms delayed/impeded
• Social rights unprotected
• Freedom of press contested
• Minorities protection problematic
• Efforts to limit transparency
• High levels of public sector corruption
• Access to public data limited
• Open government limited
*Concluded by reports by Demos, World Bank, WEF, Transparency International, EU Commission

6. On the other hand..
• Government-driven reforms (“clarity” program, OpenGov,
public consultations, StarUpGreece, social media)
• Pressure from abroad to release data (Greek Statistics
Authority) and design data-driven policy goals
• Self-organized communities and digital activists
• Social enterprises and knowledge communities
• Open Government Partnership
• EL/LAK - Open Source pioneers

7. The Big Challenge:
Connect the real world with the digital world
How to
Educate
Engage
Empower
Disrupt
Reform
Improve
Things to Consider
Show impact potential
User friendly platforms
Play by the rules
Get Data
Bring all stakeholders on the table
Build partnerships
Gain publicity
Utilize legislation & knowledge
Advocate and act!

8. March 2014: VOULIWATCH goes online!

9. The Idea
• The concept was born in
Germany and has travelled to
Austria, Ireland, France,
Luxembourg and Tunisia.
• Adjustment to Greece‘s
specificities (e.g. large digital
divide, low internet
penetration).
• We inserted innovative
crowdsourcing capabilities and
open consultation apps

10. What is Vouliwatch?
• A non profit initiative to disrupt old
democratic politics
• A movement to promote civic
participation and transparency
• An innovative digital platform to
provide knowledge, familiarize the
youth with legislative politics and
engage them in a productive
dialogue with the MPs
• A knowledge and research
aggregator
• An agent of the international
movement of open government and
open parliamentary politics

11. 4 Basic Functions
1. Ask the MPs/MEPs 2. Crowdsource ideas
3. Monitor MP voting behavior 4. Evaluate and monitor party agendas

12. Vouliwatch goes social
+6.364 likes +1.434 followers

13. Data & Impact
• Members: 1.011
• Questions to MPs: 409
• MP Answers: 50
• Crowdsourced Ideas: 25
• Unique Visitors: 44.470
• Average visitor span: 02:31’

14. Publicity & Events

15. Our Partnerships..
Promote open government, parliamentary transparency, open
public data and enhanced democratic participation in order to
REFORM LEGISLATIVE POLITICS AND MAKE THEM MORE INCLUSIVE

17. How to Maximize impact?
• Media partnerships
• NGO partnerships
• User-Friendly Mobile apps
• Video Campaign
• Legal activism (open data law)
• More Events
• University discussions
• Live Broadcasting
• Parliamentwatch conference in
Athens

18. Areas of focus
• Legislation Reports
• Good Governance Principles
• Party and MP Financing
• Public Budget process
• Open Government policies
• Open Data Legislation
• Public Consultations
• Facilitate interest
representation

19. JOIN US!
• DONATE (Indiegogo Campaign)
• Become a member
• Ask your MP
• Raise local or national issues
• Become an internet volunteer
• Organize an event/political lab
• Become a scientific advisor
• Join our advisory board
Check our website &
REGISTER TODAY!

20. Send us your feedback
info@vouliwatch.gr