Problems and Purpose

The participation process activated by the Puglia (Apulia) Region Dipartimento mobilità, qualità urbana, opere pubbliche, ecologia e paesaggio (Department of Mobility, Urban Quality, Public Works, Ecology and Landscape) for the updating of the Regional Urban Waste Management Plan, has the purpose of drafting a new document on waste management consistent with current regulations. The objectives of the process include information, involvement and consultation on the PRGRU alongside the launch of a real instrument of participatory democracy, complementary to traditional channels.

The participatory process arises from the need to integrate into the current plan the regulatory changes introduced at the EU and national level on waste management and to introduce the principles of the circular economy in order to make the instrument consistent with the provisions of the LR n. 20/2016.

The Puglia (Apulia) Region, through the participatory path, aims to:

• collect ideas, proposals and comments from citizens, businesses, trade associations, local authorities and institutions and, more generally, from all interested and involved subjects.
• update the current Regional Urban Waste Management Plan (PRGRU) with the method of co-planning and consultation

The themes of prevention, reduction, and waste recycling; circular economy; and management of waste treatment plants and related costs, were explored through meetings with the main regional players and then conveyed to the interested public through public meetings, in such a way as to give them the opportunity to share their experiences and points of view.

Therefore, through a series of activities using the method of co-planning and consultation of stakeholders, a document was to be prepared that would adapt to the innovations introduced on the subject in the national and regional legislation and be consistent with the inspiring principles of the "package of measures on the circular economy" presented by the European Commission in December 2015. [2]

Background History and Context

While former President of Puglia, Italy, Nichi Vendola, began to withdraw from the political scene, the 2015 election saw a win by the Democratic Party (PD) candidate, Michele Emiliano (ex-mayor of Bari from 2004 to 2014); the right-wing adversary was not cohesive and the 5 Star Movement is growing (310,300 votes, 18.42%). Emiliano relaunched participation, placing it as the second point of the government platform: transparency and participation. Emiliano built the program itself through a participatory electoral campaign run by his current special adviser (former parliamentarian Caterina De Simone). The focus is on shared and collective governance of the territory, with involvement from institutions, civil society, and businesses to coordinate territorial policies and co-plan interventions, services, and investments (Region, 2015b, p. 7). A law on participation (then approved as Regional Law 28 of 13/7/2017) provides for periodic regional participatory events (Town Meetings and Citizen Meetings) and support for local ones (Ib.).

The #pugliapartecipa portal [1]

The implementation of Law 28/2017, within the first year, included an online portal dedicated to regional participation. All regional and local processes, both ongoing and concluded, are listed. The dates and appointments of the meetings are indicated. In the section dedicated to support, everything concerning the law and participation policies in Puglia is listed schematically.

The problem is that what the platform provides is largely informational. It is said that users can vote and comment, yet in fact, no one has commented. There is nothing else in the portal beyond a list.[1] For the completed or ongoing processes, there are no references, links or other resources to have a minimum of reporting. One of the listed processes is for updating the regional waste management plan.

Organizing, Supporting, and Funding Entities

Puglia Region Dipartimento mobilità, qualità urbana, opere pubbliche, ecologia e paesaggio (Department of Mobility, Urban Quality, Public Works, Ecology and Landscape) is the promoter of the process.

Puglia Region - Participation Office coordinates all the processes and activities to promote regional participation.

Participant Recruitment and Selection

The process was aimed at associations, public bodies, and stakeholders. [2 ]

Methods and Tools Used

The only mention of the methods used is the reference to a series of activities to prepare the document, with the "method of co-planning and consultation with stakeholders." [2]

What Went On: Process, Interaction, and Participation

The existence of the following activities is declared only nominally, but nothing else was found:[2]

Listening phase (01/6/18 to 01/7/18)

• Consultation on the Proposal Document of the Regional Urban Waste Management Plan which will contribute to the drafting of a report by the Participation Office.
• Citizen Meeting with environmentalist, voluntary and consumer associations.
• Citizen Meeting with economic operators, social partners and professional associations.
• Citizen Meeting with public bodies and local authorities.
• Online consultation for the collection of comments and contributions. [2]

Influence, Outcomes, and Effects

Reports, documents, and images are not given.

Analysis and Lessons Learned

It is necessary to understand if and how to address the ethical, public and political problem, of intervening in cases like this, with public communications, interpellations or other more formal instruments. Associations and parties as well as organizations including for-profit that promote and use the concepts of participatory democracy should at least take a public position on this interpretation of the discipline.

See Also

MiCS - Shared and Sustainable Migration - Puglia Region

References

[1] #Pugliapartecipa, https : //partecipazione.regione.puglia.it/ (ril. 10/11/19).

[2] #Pugliapartecipa, page on the PRGRU, https://partecipazione.regione.puglia.it/processes/rifiuti-urbani (ril. 10/11/19).

External Links

Notes