On these pages you can read the presentation of Valma preparation forum of the City of Tampere. Detailed information is available on the sub pages on the left-hand side of this page.
Valma is developed to complement the practice of a representative democracy in Tampere. The aim is to give people a better chance to take part more directly in decision-making.
Valma can be seen as an e-participation tool or forum for preparatory work. Its features are
Public consultation and citizen feedback is an integral part of high-quality preparatory work. Valma offers complete and user-friendly approach to the feedback collection of very different types of cases.
Participation is part of the preparatory work. Citizens' opinions have to be asked well before the decision is made. It is important that the preparatory process has a clear understanding of how the received opinions are used. Do we want new kinds of perspectives, collect information, and clarify various options or something else. This should be taken into account already then when deciding what to ask in Valma.
Citizens’ opinions should be gathered at the best suitable time, usually sooner the better. Long-lasting Valma inquiries are generally not necessary.
Citizens' participation is possible only if they are adequately informed about their possibilities to participate. Valma-affairs are being informed in compliance with the usual communication practices of the city of Tampere. At least a press release is written about each Valma-topic.
Citizens’ opinions go as a feedback to both decision makers (usually members of respective committees) and to those officials who are responsible for preparatory work on an issue at hand.
Communications unit will ensure the publication of opinions in Internet. Opinions are published, if the sender has given permission to do so and if he or she has given one’s contact information.
When decision is being made on a subject matter, there is a mention in a preparatory text that Valma has been used as preparatory forum. In the text there is also a link to a Valma site, where all the comments are published. Number of comments arrived and the time when comments were collected is reported. Preparatory text gives also a brief summary of the comments received.