Digital civic engagement in Slovenia
About this good practice
Slovenia's Predlagam.vladi.si (eng. Propose to the Government) platform was launched in 2009 to address the lack of transparent and structured mechanisms for citizens to contribute to policymaking at the national level. Traditional channels such as petitions or letters were often perceived as ineffective, slow, or lacking feedback loops. The platform enables any citizen to submit policy or legislative proposals online, which can then be voted on and commented by others. Once a proposal gains at least 23 positive votes and more approvals than rejections, it is forwarded to the competent ministry for official review and response.
This digital solution enhances transparency, strengthens trust in public institutions, and fosters a culture of active civic participation. It operationalizes the principles of participatory democracy through accessible ICT tools, offering a scalable and replicable model for citizen engagement.
Key stakeholders include the Ministry of Public Administration (as platform manager), line ministries (as policy responders), civil society organisations, and the general public. Beneficiaries are primarily active citizens, NGOs, and policy advocates seeking structured access to the decision-making process.
Expert opinion
Resources needed
The total cost for the development, upgrades, maintenance, and redesign of the Predlagam.vladi.si platform from 2009-2025 amounts to approximately 84,459.70 EUR.
Human resources include two employees at the Government Communication Office, each allocating around 20% of their time for moderation.
Evidence of success
Predlagam.vladi.si has proven effective in enabling structured, transparent, and accessible public engagement in national policymaking. It provides a direct channel for citizens to express their views, propose legislative changes, and receive institutional feedback.
Since its launch in 2009, the platform has facilitated:
- 16.702 submitted proposals
- 5.029 official responses from ministries
- 571.795 total votes cast
- 128.438 user comments
- 42.988 registered users
Potential for learning or transfer
The Predlagam.vladi.si platform is highly transferable and scalable. Its success rests on a simple but robust digital structure, transparent voting rules, and a low-threshold entry for participation. These features make it adaptable to different governance levels—national, regional, or municipal—and applicable across countries interested in improving citizen-government interaction. Several European countries (e.g. Finland with Open Ministry, Iceland with Better Reykjavik) have adopted similar platforms, affirming the replicability of such practices. Key success factors include political commitment, clear rules, institutional responsiveness, and strong outreach. Challenges like low participation or digital exclusion can be mitigated by legal mandates, awareness efforts, and offline options. Success depends on accountability, promotion, and integration into wider participatory ecosystems.