10 years of strengthening citizens’ voices in Latvia – what’s next for ManaBalss?

Latvia
10.09.2021
10 years of strengthening citizens’ voices in Latvia – what’s next for ManaBalss?
By Daniela Vancic

The ManaBalss platform celebrates its tenth anniversary and looks back on a decade of improving citizen participation in Latvia.

Thanks to the last 10 years of the Latvian platform ManaBalss, citizens have more leverage in Latvian decision-making. Over 42 citizens’ initiatives have become Latvian law and the platform has accumulated over 2.1 million votes, which is more than one for every Latvian inhabitant. Now they are expanding to different projects and have their sights on the European horizon. How has ManaBalss managed to bring together legislators and citizens while increasing the political power of the ordinary citizen?

What can European tools such as the European Citizens’ Initiative learn from the Latvian example?

Watch our interview with Didzis Melkis and Agija Rumpe to find out.

 

This article is available in multiple languages on the Democracy International website:

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As the European Program Manager, Daniela Vancic is responsible for managing Democracy International’s campaigns. Daniela received her bachelor’s degree at Michigan State University and holds a Master in International Relations from Geneva School of Diplomacy and International Relations. Before joining the team of Democracy International, she worked as a campaign manager for the Michigan Democratic Party and in the human rights department of the Serbian Mission to the United Nations in Geneva.

 

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